If you are thinking about coming to Ireland to study, you will need to know if you need a Student Visa or not. You will also need to know if you require a visa in order to travel to Ireland.

• If you are from a country which is part of the European Union (EU) or  the European Economic Area (EEA) & Switzerland, you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.
• If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland, then you will need to check if you need a visa before travelling to Ireland.  
• If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland and you need a visa before you come to Ireland, you must:  

1. Apply for your visa before travelling to Ireland
2. Register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland to get your Student Visa.

• If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland and you do not need a visa before you come to Ireland, you must: 

Register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland to get your Student Visa.  

Documents to support your Student Visa application

Here is a summary of some of the key requirements (the full list of requirements can be found here):

• You must have a letter of acceptance from a school, college or university which has their courses authorised on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP)   

NOTE: You need to check that the course you are interested in is included on the ILEP. If you choose a course that is not on the ILEP your visa will be refused!

• evidence that you have paid the full course fees (currently you will not have to pay more than €6,000 before receiving your visa approval).
• evidence that you have sufficient funds to live while you are studying in Ireland. You will need to show that you or your sponsor have access to €7,000, which is the current estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year.

NOTE: You must explain where the money in your bank account has come from – personal savings, a loan, a sponsor etc.

• Evidence of private medical insurance. Learn more 
• A passport valid for at least 12 months after your proposed arrival date.

Registering with the Immigration Services

If you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss national and you plan to study in Ireland for more than 90 days, you will need to register with the Irish immigration services. Below you will find useful information on how to register and the requirements you will need to meet.

Immigration services in Ireland are managed by two government bodies; the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

DUBLIN

If you are living in Dublin you will register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) at Burgh Quay. To register you will need to make an appointment online at burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie.

We recommend that you try to book your appointment before your arrival in Ireland. On the day of your appointment, you will go to the INIS office at 13/14, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

OUTSIDE OF DUBLIN

If you are living outside of Dublin, you will register with your local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

To register as a student and be issued with an Irish Residency Permit card, you will need to bring the following documentation:

• Your passport.
• An acceptance letter from your school / college confirming that you are a registered student and that you have paid your course fees.
• Your student ID card, if applicable – a university or large college will provide you with one when you register as a full-time student; smaller schools and colleges may not issue student cards.
• Your medical insurance policy.
• proof of funds if you did not require a visa before coming to Ireland. Acceptable proof of funds include:

1. an Irish bank statement showing that you have €3,000 or more in your bank account (or €500 per month for stays of less than 6 months)
2. a foreign bank statement in your name showing access to €3,000 or more in your bank account (or €500 per month for stays of less than 6 months)
3. a pre-paid credit or debit card with a verification that you have €3,000 or more in credit (or €500 per month for stays of less than 6 months)
4. A post office draft for €3,000 (or €500 per month for stays of less than 6 months 

For more information, see INIS’ guidance notice. 

• A €300 fee is also required. You must pay for this with a visa or debit card. You cannot pay this in cash.

Once you have registered, you will receive a stamp in your passport and you will receive your Irish Residence Permit, or IRP, card by post. The immigration stamp and certificate of registration card you receive will show the length of time you can stay in Ireland, depending on the type of course you plan to study.