Ireland Study Visa Application From Canada

With a Long Stay ‘D’ Visa to Ireland, foreign citizens can enter Ireland to complete a study course that lasts longer than 3 months. To be eligible for this student visa, Canadian applicants have to be enrolled in a full-time course in Ireland when submitting their visa application, and their course has to be a part of the  “Interim List of Eligible Programmes,” which is posted by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

While this student gives you permission to enter Ireland, to stay longer than 3 months, applicants have to complete their visa application by registering for an Irish Residence Permit at the visa office by a local immigration officer who will confirm the length of the stay.

For students who wish to work, the long-term student visa is a good route, as it permits casual employment on a part-time basis during the semester time but full-time during any holiday.

When applying for the long stay study route, you will be required to provide proof of your course, accommodation and sufficient funds to cover at least your first year in Ireland.

The study visa is done via an online application process. You will be required to provide a few details in the online application form, including personal information, contact details and the reason for your trip to Ireland.

Once you submit the form, you will be provided with your application summary sheet. On there, you will find information regarding the application office to send your supporting documents.

All the documents must be original documents and in English or Irish. If not in those two languages, they will have to be translated by a certified person.

Original documents such as marriage/birth certificates will be returned however, other documents such as bank statements or letters of invitation will not be returned. If there are particular documents that you wish to have returned, you are to provide a list of these documents with the application.

The supporting documentation is as follows:

• Application summary form
• A valid passport and any previous passports
• Details of your study course in Ireland which confirm that you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education (if applicable)
• A detailed Letter of application where you explain why you want all course fees have been paid in full
• Proof that you meet the minimum English language requirements per the English language course (if applicable)
• Two passport-size photographs
• Proof of sufficient funds showing you can support yourself
• Proof of registration  for medical insurance

There are additional documents needed if the applicant is under 18 years old.

These are:

• The birth certificate
• Consent of their parent/legal guardian, via a notarized document which confirms the parents/legal guardians’ agreeance to the child coming to Ireland for study purposes and that the school/host family/education agency is the legal guardian of the unaccompanied child student during the child’s stay in Ireland.
• The parent’s/guardian’s passports or valid travel document
• Accommodation and vetting certificate

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be asked to provide additional supporting documents. You may also be asked to provide biometrics information as part of the application process.

If you want to apply for the Long Stay Study Visa, the minimum financial requirements are:

• You have at least €7,000 (9,386.34 Canadian Dollars) in savings at the time of submitting your application
• You or your sponsor have access to at least €7,000 (9,386.34 Canadian Dollars) for each subsequent year of your studies

Also, you will be required to show proof you can cover your tuition fees and your visa application fee. The visa application fee will depend upon which visa you are applying for.

The fees for visas are:

• Single entry: €60 (80.45 Canadian Dollars)
• Multi entry: €100 (134.09 Canadian Dollars)