Irish Study Visas

Types of the Irish Study Visas

There are two types of Irish Study Visas you can apply for depending on the schedule of your course of study. Eligibility for the Irish Study Visa will differ depending on whether you are applying for a short-term or long-term visa.

For both types, your course of study must be approved by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

Short Stay ‘C’ Study Visa

The Short Stay ‘C’ Study Visa is intended for applicants who plan to complete a course of study in three months or less, such as a single semester course or exchange program.

If you come to Ireland on the Short Stay Study Visa, you will not be permitted to work or have access to public funds or services.

You must be enrolled in a course of study at the time of applying for the visa and must have paid all relevant tuition or course fees.

Long Stay ‘D’ Study Visa

The Long Stay ‘D’ type Study Visa is also called the Ireland Student visa. This is intended for applicants who plan to complete a course of study that takes three months or longer, such as a full university degree program.

This type of visa is not intended for work. If you plan to enter Ireland to work or conduct certain types of business activities, you may need an employment visa. However, the long-stay study visa will permit you to obtain casual employment. This is generally categorized as part-time work up to 20 hours per week during the study semester, and full-time work up to 40 hours during holidays.

Required Documents For an Irish study visa

When you apply for an Irish study visa you will be required to submit evidence that shows you meet the eligibility criteria as a part of your visa application package. Required documentary evidence can include the following:

• Current and valid passport
• Previous passports and visas
• Two standard passport size full colour photographs
• A letter of acceptance for a course from an accepted academic institution. Applicant’s acceptance letter must be on official letterhead.
• Proof that you have paid the tuition and fees for the course. This should be a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds to the Irish Bank of the college or university, showing contact details and bank details as well as a copy of the receipt from the college or university confirming that the fee has been received.
• Proof of any academic prerequisite qualifications required for the course such as educational history
• Proof of your English language ability (unless studying an English Language course, in which case you must have basic English ability)
• An explanation of any gaps in your educational history
• A signed letter stating the reason for your travel
• Confirmation page showing you have paid the visa application fee
• Proof of financial stability and sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your visa, such as bank statements. Funds must meet or exceed €7,000 for the beginning of your visa stay, not including course fees
• Proof of private medical insurance
• Police Clearance Certificate

All letters submitted by an academic institution, business, or other organisation should be on official letterhead and include full contact details.

All original documents which are not in the English language must have certified translated copies made and submitted as part of your supporting documentation package.

How To Apply For An Irish Study Visa

The application process for the Irish Study Visa is relatively straightforward. You can apply online on the AVATS website up to three months before your intended date of travel to Ireland. You should apply well before the academic year so that you have time to handle any potential delays from the visa office. Be sure to read the instructions carefully as they will differ slightly depending on which country you are originally from.

You can pay the visa application fee and submit the online application form on the Irish government website. At the end of your application, you will be given a summary detailing which immigration office you will need to send your supporting documentation to.

Applicants for the Irish Study Visa may opt into the VFS Check and Verify Service at the time of application. This allows professional VFS staff to conduct pre-validation on key documents in your application package. This makes the INIS processing of your visa more efficient.

You may be asked to submit biometric identification as part of your visa application process.

If the visa office needs further clarification on your application package, you may be asked to come in for a visa interview to confirm or clarify details of your claim for a study visa.

After your application is processed, your original documents including birth, death, and marriage certificates will be returned to you by mail. Once you arrive in Ireland, you can make an appointment with the Registration Office of Irish Immigration and Naturalisation to receive a residence permit.

Processing Times

Once you have submitted your application and supporting documents, the visa processing time is typically around six to eight weeks. Visa applications for students are processed in date order. The processing time can vary depending on the time of year and workload. You should not buy travel tickets before you receive a decision on your application.

Reasons for application delays can include incomplete documentation or personal circumstances that require further investigation, such as criminal records. Knowingly providing false or misleading information, or withholding necessary information, is grounds for your visa application to be denied and may affect your chances of being approved for future visas.

Costs and Fees

There are several costs associated with the Irish Study Visa. In addition to your tuition fees or course fees, there is a one-time visa fee. The cost of the visa application is the same whether you are applying for the Short Stay ‘C’ Study Visa or the Long Stay ‘D’ Study Visa. The visa application fee is:

• €60 if you are applying for a single entry permit
• €100 if you need a multiple entry visa
• €300 for a residence permit

You may incur additional fees during the application process for things like obtaining documentation or purchasing private medical insurance.

To cover your tuition fees, you will likely need between €10,000 and €25,000 per year. Typically, courses in education, the arts, and humanities are less expensive while courses in business, engineering, and medical professions are more.