Student Visa Ireland

There are a range of eligibility criteria you must meet and required documents you must provide in order to be eligible for an Irish Study Visa.

These will include the following:

• Your Letter of Acceptance from your chosen school, college or university in Ireland
• Evidence that your full-time study encompasses at least 15 hours a week
• Proof of your academic ability in your chosen course, such as past exam results and any qualifications you may have
• Evidence of your English language capabilities (unless your chosen study is to learn English)
• Proof that you have paid your course tuition fees in full
• Proof of maintenance funds as you must have at least €10,000 to support yourself for your first year of studying
• Additional evidence that either you or your sponsoring body grants you access to at least €6,665 for every year of subsequent studies after your first year on top of the course fees for each year
• Proof that you have private medical insurance
• A written explanation if you have any gaps in your educational history
• A declaration that you intend to return to your home country once your course ceases in Ireland

You must also ensure that you read and understand the Policy on Non-EEA Nationals document, which sets out rules and guidelines for non-EEA citizens coming to study in Ireland.

A Long Term Study Visa allows you to legally reside in the State and study here for over 3 months.

However, before you travel to Ireland, you will need to secure your Study Visa in advance which necessitates already being enrolled on a full-time course outlined on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) provides. This will then allow you to receive a Stamp 2 in your passport which comes with its own set of rules and requirements. Your stamp will also detail your expiry date, after which it will also need to be renewed if you want to remain in Ireland.

Once you have arrived in Ireland and have successfully passed border control with the right documentation, you must register with a local immigration officer in the district that you plan on living in. If you are one of few that does not require a Study Visa upon entry, you must show funds of €3,000 when you initially register. You must register and pay for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) costing €300.

The short-term study visa allows holders to pick up a short-term course that lasts just one semester, sit an important exam or to take up an internship related to their current or future studies. This Short-Term studying route also welcomes those who are travelling to Ireland to attend a training course.

However, this is not an entire visa on its own per se. The Short-Term ‘C’ category Study Visa is a type of short-stay, Visit Visa which grants applicants up to 90 days in the State.

If you are unsure about which type of Study Visa best suits your circumstances, call us today to be put in touch with a member of the client care team who will instantly assign you with an IAS immigration lawyer. Your IAS lawyer will walk you through every step of the way of your Study Visa application.

To apply for a Study visa, you must make an application online through the AVATS system.

Here, you will fill in the application form and enter in your personal details, details of the visa you wish to apply for and your chosen course of study.

You must ensure that you choose “Study” as your reason for travel.

During the application process, you will be prompted to enter information such as the following:

• Confirmation that you have been accepted on a course of study
• The name of the school or college
• The course title
• The course duration
• Confirmation that you’ve paid your fees in full to the school or college
• The number of hours of daytime tuition that you will attend each week
• Your educational qualifications
• Your employment history
• Details of what financial support you’ll have in Ireland

Once you’ve completed your application form, you must print it out, sign and date it, and collate it together with your supporting documents.

Pay the student visa fee (Irish student visas cost €60 for single entry and €100 for multiple entries).

The application must then be sent to the visa office specified in the summary sheet of the application.

Wait for a decision to be made on your application. If you have been approved, you may book your journey to Ireland

Once you arrive in Ireland, you should make an appointment with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and pay the €300 fee to be issued a residence permit

The fees for the Ireland Study visa are as follows:

• Single-entry visa: €60
• Multiple-entry visa: €100

Note that there may be additional fees to pay as part of the process, such as course fees, accommodation fees, translation fees for documents or fees to obtain certificates or documentary proof for your application.

The specific time it takes to process your Study visa application will depend on a number of factors, including the specific visa office you send your application to, if you send your application during a busy period of the year, and if your application is a complex one.

However, applications will generally be processed within around 8 weeks of the submittal date.

You will only be able to work on an Irish student visa if you’re studying a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).

If this is the case, you will receive Stamp 2 permission in your passport when you register with a local immigration office. Stamp 2 will allow you to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week in term time, or up to 40 hours a week outside of term time (from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January).

If your course is not on the ILEP, you will receive Stamp 2A in your passport. Stamp 2A will not allow you to take up any work or employment while in Ireland.

If you wish to renew your Irish Study visa, you must be resident in Ireland to do so.

There are two ways to renew your Ireland student visa. Which one you take will depend on where you live.

If you live in Dublin, you can use the online registration renewal service to get an extension on your immigration permission and receive a new Ireland Residence Permit (IRP) card.

In order to successfully apply for a renewal, you must provide a range of supporting documents to prove that you’re eligible for a renewal. This may include proof that you’ve paid your course fees, proof of medical insurance, proof of course enrolment, and photos of your current (or expired) IRP card.

You must submit your application for visa renewal no more than 12 weeks before your permission’s expiry.

If you live outside of Dublin, you must submit your application for renewal at your local Garda station.

At first glance, the Study Visa application you must fill out in order to study as an international student in Ireland can appear daunting.

Fortunately, our immigration lawyers are spread out all across Ireland in numerous offices that you can book an appointment with. Our lawyers are well versed in Irish immigration law and know how to tick all the boxes of your Student Visa application and work to help you meet the rigid Student Visa requirements.

We help students from all over the world, including those from India and Pakistan and in African countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

Each case varies depending on the person and their own unique circumstances. However, IAS offers custom-made and tailored packages to suit you and your needs.

You can opt for a one-on-one Advice Session in which one of your immigration experts will provide a rough skeleton plan for the types of documents you need to submit with your application and will assess the merits of your case.

Taking it a step further, your IAS immigration lawyer in Ireland can also offer you a full breakdown of your Study Visa application – and will even fill it out for you on your behalf.

Some alternatively like to risk making the application themselves but just want some general guidance. In this event, the Document Checking Service that IAS has on offer might be best suited to you.

Yes, you can get a Study Visa Application Package from the IAS. In fact, most students prefer to opt for this comprehensive service.

In this, our immigration specialists will advise you on every aspect of your application. You will feel at ease knowing that your application is being filled to the highest standard and you will receive a full consultation throughout the process.

One of the many advantages of the Application Package is that your lawyer will write and provide a Letter of Representation to accompany your application which highlights the merits of your case and person.

Other benefits of the Application Package include:

• A head-to-toe assessment of your eligibility
• A step-by-step ticking process to ensure you meet the requirements
• Having your Study Visa application organised for you with documentary evidence supported at each point
• Submitting a fully completed, high-quality application to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)

By seeking application advice with an immigration lawyer at the IAS, your case will be assessed from the beginning and you will be advised on what steps you need to take next to fill your application properly.

After this consultation, you have 7 days to ask any follow-up questions in regards to your application.

As a modern, multicultural country with a high standard of living and plenty of opportunities, the number of international students coming to study in Ireland has increased significantly since 2013.

The most widely spoken language is the English language, but many people can speak the country’s native language, Irish.

The country is part of the European Union and the currency is the Euro. Although Britain has left the EU, an arrangement remains in place that allows Irish citizens to live and work in the UK without restriction (and vice versa for British citizens). This is known as the Common Travel Agreement.

Universities in Ireland

There is a wide selection of universities, technical institutes, and medical colleges in Ireland to cater for all academic interests.

Some of the top universities in Ireland include:

• Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
• University College Dublin (UCD)
• NUI Galway
• University College Cork (UCC)
• Dublin City University (DCU)
• University of Limerick
• Maynooth University
• Technological University Dublin
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Waterford Institute of Technology

Each university has its own entry requirements and eligibility criteria, and if you are interested in applying for a course to study in Ireland, it’s recommended to allow plenty of time for the application and visa process.

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, with almost two million residents, and the majority of the large universities are in the city (Trinity, UCD, DCU, TU Dublin, RCSI).

However, Dublin can be quite expensive to live and study in. Maynooth University, for example, is a highly regarded institution that is located less than 40 minutes by train from Dublin city centre.

Accommodation in Ireland

One of the most difficult parts of coming to study in Ireland may be finding appropriate accommodation.

Unfortunately, accommodation can be very expensive, with even Irish students struggling to find a place to stay during term-time.

However, your university should be able to assist you with finding accommodation. One option is for on-campus accommodation.

These can be more expensive than privately-rented properties, but they offer the convenience of living on campus, as well as the opportunity to live with other students, and potentially practice your English language skills (depending on who you live with).

Another option is living with a host family. In most places, you will have a comfortable room with a desk for studying, as well as potentially having your meals cooked and clothes washed included in the price.

Irish, UK, and EU students wishing to apply to study in Ireland should use the Central Applications Office (CAO) system to submit their interest in a course.

This system allows for fairness in the application process, depending on the students results.

Non-EU and non-EEA students should apply directly to their chosen institute and follow the application process as outlined.

Types of courses

The Irish educational system is similar to the UK system and is internationally regarded. There are degree, postgraduate degree and doctoral courses available for international students. In the vast majority of cases, these will be taught in the English language.

The Education in Ireland website provides an overview of the types of courses that you can study in Ireland at degree level. Courses last between three to four years in most cases.

Similarly, master’s degrees in Ireland last for one or two years. These courses will usually include some taught modules as well as a research dissertation in your final year.

You should explore the course and university requirements before making your choice on a course.

PhD courses typically last between three to four years and many courses will require an upper class (2:1) grade on a master’s degree for acceptance.

All universities have special supports for international students coming to study in Ireland. This could include support with English language learning, accommodation assistance, educational tutoring or mentoring, and buddy systems to help you settle in and make the most out of your Irish student experience.

We can offer direct assistance to you if you need support with your application or any part of the process. If you are an international student from Africa, or an international student from India wishing to study in Ireland, contact us to see how we can assist you with your student visa application.

Ireland is a beautiful country to live in, and although it can be expensive, student life offers plenty of opportunities and excitement.

The average living cost for a student on a monthly basis is approximately €1,264 to €2,077. You can expect your rent to cost at least between €559 and €1372 monthly.

Dublin is the most expensive place to live in Ireland, so if you choose to live outside the city, you may be able to save some money.

Medical insurance can cost around €100 annually, but this may be subject to an increase if new regulations are announced.

Some of the other Ireland student living costs that you can expect include the following:

Source: TU Dublin Student Cost of Living Guide 2025. Please note these costs may change.