Ireland – Study

Applying for a Student Visa

To initiate your visa application, you must utilize the online visa application facility, available globally and mandatory for all applicants. Your application will be processed only when the online form is completed, and the required documentation, passport photograph, and applicable fee are received by the relevant office, as indicated by the online system.

Key points to note when making an application:

Complete the online application form.

Verify the Irish Embassy details for sending your documentation.

Provide a passport-sized photo.

Ensure your passport is valid for 12 months.

Pay the application fee.

Include a signed letter of application explaining why you require the visa.

Submit a Letter of Acceptance from the Irish university, college, or school, confirming your acceptance and enrollment in a full-time course with a minimum of 15 hours of organized daytime tuition each week.

The letter should specify your name, verify the course title/duration, confirm the amount of fees payable, and indicate that the fees have been paid.
If the college arranges medical insurance, details must be included in the Letter of Acceptance; otherwise, you must provide evidence of self-arranged insurance.
Provide evidence of payment of fees:

Electronic Transfer of Funds or a valid receipt confirming payment through an approved student fees payment service.
Demonstrate language proficiency, typically requiring an IELTS score of 5 (as per INIS requirements) or 6.5 (as commonly required by Irish universities and colleges).

Keep copies of all submitted documents.

Additional requirements for applicants from China, India, Nigeria, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, or the United Kingdom may be specified on the Irish Embassy website.

Finances:

To demonstrate sufficient funds, you need to provide:

A detailed six-month bank statement showing adequate funds to cover your costs.
Official confirmation of a scholarship.
A detailed statement of your bank account covering a six-month period, demonstrating sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
Alternatively, a pilot program allows degree program students to provide an “education bond” as an alternative to bank statements, with a minimum value of €7,000, lodged with an approved student fees payment service.

Checking on your visa status:

Apply as early as possible, as processing normally takes eight weeks (or longer during busy periods). You can check online using your Visa Application Number to see if your visa has been processed. If approved, the Embassy will affix the visa to your passport. If refused, you have a two-month window to appeal the decision.

Note: Ireland is not part of the Schengen Agreement, so an Irish visa is required even if you hold a visa for a Schengen country.