How to Apply for a Visa

The sections below give further information about how to apply for a visa to study in Ireland.

 

1. Applying for Visa

Students should submit their visa applications using the AVATS facility at www.irishimmigration.ie

The application will only be processed when the online form is completed and the required documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant offices as indicated by the online system. There is a dedicated processing office in China, India, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Non-EU students resident in these countries, please refer to your local Irish Embassy website for details of further documentation which may be required.

Please refer to the links below for visa guidelines: http://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland

Mandatory Documentation

  • Private Health Insurance -It is a mandatory requirement for non-EU students to have private health insurance and you will be required to show evidence. Non-EU students who will be resident in Ireland for a minimum of one academic year may apply to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to be assessed for entitlements to public hospital for treatment.
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds to support yourself while in Ireland (bank account statements for six months previously and/or grant/sponsorship letter
  • Programme Final Offer Letter - Show evidence of language proficiency. For ISD language requirements, please refer to: http://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/english-language-requirements-for-study-visas

Any other documents as requested by ISD or the Irish Embassy through which you are applying. The full list of required documentation is available on the visa and immigration website: http://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-long-term-study-visa

 

2. Checking Your Visa Status

You should generally allow 8 weeks for processing time.

You can check online for visa decisions using your visa application number at: http://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions

When your visa is approved, the Embassy to which you send your documents will affix a visa to your passport.

 

3. Immigration at the Airport

All non-EU/EEA citizens who do not hold an EU passport, whether visa required or not, are subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry (ordinarily the airport). The Immigration Officer on duty determines who is actually allowed to enter Ireland. If your documentation is in order, he/she will stamp your passport for up to three months (90 days).

At the immigration desk, you should be prepared to present the following documents:

  • Your valid passport
  • Your Programme Offer Letter
  • Confirmation of fees paid (deposit and first instalment) or scholarship grant received
  • Proof of health insurance

You should keep these documents with you in your carry-on luggage as immigration border control is before baggage claim.

You should also keep all these documents ready, as you will need them again when you register with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).

 

4. Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)

You must visit the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Office which is located on Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. It is best to do this as soon as possible.

You must have an appointment to visit the ISD Office.

You can book an appointment directly through: The Digital Contact Centre (DCC) self-service portal. Students should only book appointments through ISD and should never use unauthorised third-party services.

In order to register with ISD, you must provide the following documents to support your application.

Mandatory Supporting Documents

  • Proof of registration with Marino Institute of Education
  • Proof of finances, you must demonstrate you have access to €10,000, if your programme is one year duration
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof that you have started your course - your timetable is available on Moodle and you can print this as proof.
  • Proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. Please ensure this is correct as your IRP card will be posted to this address
  • €300 fee (credit/debit card or bank draft only; no cash).

Please allow 5 working days for Irish bank statements and for documents needed from Marino Institute of Education.

 

Proof of Finance

The below information is taken from the Irish Immigration Service, please visit this website for the most up-to-date information: Information on Student Finances - Immigration Service Delivery

If you need a visa to come to Ireland, you do not need proof of finance after you arrive here. Your ability to support yourself on arrival in the State is checked during the visa application process.

For all academic courses due to begin after 1 July 2023, you must show evidence that you have immediate access to at least €10,000. This is the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year.

You must also demonstrate that you and/or your sponsor(s) have ready access to at least €10,000 for each subsequent year of your studies in addition to course fees for each of those years.

If the duration of your course is less than 8 months you must have access to €833 per month of your stay or €6,665 whichever is the lesser.

Documentary Evidence required relating to Finances

You must provide the following in relation to your finances.
  • You must provide an up-to-date bank statement, showing what money has been paid into and out of the account over the last six months. You must submit this whether you are covering the costs of your studies yourself or not
  • Bank statements must be on headed paper. Where original bank statements are not available, internet printouts will be accepted once every page has been notarised by the bank and the statement is accompanied by letter from the bank confirming its authenticity. Handwritten entries or details on bank statements will not be accepted
  • Your name, address, account number and account type must be visible on the statement
  • Any large or irregular lodgements (for example – student loans, lodgement of Savings Certificates, the sale of a property or any similar type sources) must be fully explained
  • If you are sending a bank statement from a deposit/savings account, you must also include a letter from your bank confirming that you can take money from that account
  • Credit cards are not accepted as evidence of finances.

Details of your Sponsor (where applicable) and their finances

  • If a family member/friend is responsible or co-responsible for covering your costs, you must list each person sponsoring you, and give clear details of their relationship to you. You must provide evidence (for example – birth certificates/marriage certificates etc.) of how you are linked or known to this person.
  • You must provide the following in relation to your sponsor(s) financial circumstance and the level of financial support that they intend to give you for the duration of your stay in Ireland.
    • Clear details of the financial support that each sponsor intends to give you for the duration of your stay in Ireland, showing that the amount of financial support they intend to give you is available and that they have enough funds to maintain themselves and other family members. Evidence accepted can, for example, include a letter from your sponsor’s employer confirming employment details, plus 3 recent payslips. If your sponsor is involved in business, evidence of this must be provided, such as a Certificate of Registration from the authorities in your country
    • An up-to-date bank statement for each sponsor, showing what money has been paid into and out of the account over the last six months
    • Bank statements must be on headed paper. Where original bank statements are not available, internet printouts will be accepted once every page has been notarised by the bank and the statement is accompanied by letter from the bank confirming its authenticity. Handwritten entries or details on bank statements will not be accepted
    • Your sponsor’s name, address, account number and account type must be visible on the statement
    • Any large or irregular lodgements (for example – student loans, lodgement of Savings Certificates, sale of a property or any similar type sources) must be fully explained
    • If your sponsor is providing a bank statement from a deposit/savings account, a letter from their bank confirming that you can access the funds must also be provided
    • Credit cards are not accepted as evidence of finances
    • If you are receiving funding from a government body, who is responsible for covering your costs, you must provide full details of the funding.