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Study Visa Application

Non-EEA citizens can come to Ireland to study provided that they successfully apply for an Ireland student visa. International students from EU/EEA countries are exempt from this requirement and can come to Ireland to study without a visa.

To receive assistance with your Study Visa application, call our lawyers today on +353 061 518 025.

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    Can I come to Ireland to study?

    Ireland welcomes international students but the route to study there depends on where you are from.

    If you are a citizen of a non-EEA country, you need to apply for a visa to be able to study in Ireland. You can choose between a Short Term Study Visa and a Long Term Study Visa, depending on the duration of your study course in Ireland. To receive the Study Visa, you have to meet a number of requirements and submit evidence that proves your eligibility for it.

    Citizens of EU/EEA countries, as well as citizens of Switzerland, can come to Ireland to study without having to apply for a visa.

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    What is the Long Stay Study Visa to Ireland?

    The Long Stay ‘D’ Visa to Ireland is intended for foreign citizens who want to come to Ireland to complete a study course that lasts more than 3 months.

    To be able to receive the Long Stay Study Visa, you have to be enrolled in a full-time course in Ireland at the time of submitting your visa application. Moreover, the study programme you want to take part in has to be featured on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes published by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

    After you arrive in Ireland on the Long Stay Study Visa, you have the obligation to go to your local immigration office to register. Once you do that, you will receive a valid Irish Residence Permit, which confirms your right to live in Ireland for more than 3 months.

    The holders of the Long Term Study Visa are allowed to work part-time during the semester and full-time during holidays.

    What is the Short Stay Study Visa to Ireland?

    If the purpose of your trip to Ireland is to complete a short-term study course or sit an exam, you should apply for the Short Stay ‘C’ Study Visa. This permit allows foreign citizens to stay in Ireland for up to 3 months.

    Unfortunately, Short Stay ‘C’ Visas to Ireland cannot be extended. That means that once you have spent 90 days in Ireland, you have to return to your home country. Moreover, if you come to Ireland on the Short Stay Study Visa, you will not be allowed to work in addition to studying.

    Just like with the Long Stay Study Visa, to be eligible for this permit, you have to be enrolled in a course in Ireland at the time of applying.

    If you are an EU/EEA citizen, or a citizen of Switzerland, you can come to Ireland and stay there for up to 3 months without a visa. You can arrive in Ireland without having to meet the requirement of having to have been accepted to a study course. That means that you can begin studying in Ireland some time after arriving. After the initial 90 days, you might be able to stay in the country longer if you can prove that you are studying in Ireland.

    How can I apply for the Study Visa?

    To apply for the Study Visa to Ireland, you have to first submit an online application form. There, you have to provide your personal details and indicate the reason for your trip to Ireland.

    Once you submit the form, you will see a web page with your application summary sheet. There, you will find information regarding the application office you should send your supporting documents to.

    Then you have to pay the visa fee. The cost of applying for either Short Stay or Long Stay Study Visa is €60 if you are applying for a single entry permit or €100 if you choose a multiple entry visa.

    The next step is to gather evidence that proves your eligibility for the Study Visa. Documents you have to submit include:

    • Valid passport
    • Details of your study course in Ireland
    • Letter of application where you explain why you want to travel to Ireland
    • Confirmation showing that you are enrolled in a course in Ireland
    • Receipt confirming that you paid the fees for the study course
    • Proof that you meet the minimum English language requirements
    • Two passport size photographs
    • Proof of having enough money to support yourself after you arrive in Ireland.

    Depending on your circumstances, you might have to provide additional documents. Get in touch with our immigration consultants and they will help you put together a complete portfolio of evidence.

    What are the financial requirements for the Long Stay Study Visa?

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

    • You have at least €7,000 in savings at the time of submitting your application
    • You or your sponsor have access to at least €7,000 for each subsequent year of your studies in Ireland, on top of course fees.

    Additionally, you need to be able to cover course tuition fees, which vary depending on your chosen programme in Ireland, and you have to pay for your visa application fee.

    As part of the application process, you have to provide evidence confirming that you meet these conditions. Documents you can use to prove it include recent bank statements and receipts showing that you covered the relevant fees.

    Get in touch with our expert immigration specialists to learn how to apply for the Study Visa to Ireland Contact us

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      How can Total Law help?

      Applying for a Study Visa to Ireland can be complex but our specialists are committed to helping customers go through the application process. If you hire one of our immigration lawyers, you will receive expert legal advice and guidance.

      At Total Law, our immigration team recognise that each case is different so they will look at your circumstances to explain to you in detail what documents you need to submit as part of your Student Visa application.

      Your expert can also write a Letter of Representation for you to help you strengthen your case.

      Thanks to the help of our immigration specialists, you can maximise the chances of your Study Visa application being approved.

      Call us today on +353 061 518 025 to find out more about how we can help.

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                Frequently Asked Questions

                To receive the Study Visa, you have to pay either €60 for a single-entry visa or €100 for a multiple-entry one. You can indicate which type of permit you want to obtain when completing your online application. Keep in mind, however, that multiple-entry visas are granted only in exceptional circumstances, especially if you are applying through the Short Stay ‘C’ route.

                Your ability to work in Ireland while on the Student Visa depends if you come to the country on the Short Stay ‘C’ or Long Stay ‘D’ Visa.

                Holders of the Long Stay Study Visa have the right to work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and up to 40 hours a week during breaks. Nevertheless, once your study course in Ireland ends and your visa expires, you will have to apply for an employment permit to be able to keep working in Ireland.

                Those who have the Short Stay Study Visa to Ireland are not allowed to work while in Ireland. That applies also to volunteering work.

                You do not have to have an Irish sponsor to apply for the Study Visa to Ireland but you need to prove that you meet the minimum financial requirements. For the Long Stay ‘D’ Visa you have to show that you have immediate access to at least €7,000 and that you can access an additional €7,000 for each year of your study course. You can use the help of a sponsor to meet these criteria if you do not have enough finances yourself but it is not required.

                If you get accepted to a study course in Ireland and you provide extensive evidence showing that you meet the eligibility requirements, your visa application will most likely be accepted. Nevertheless, a failure to include some of the required documents or making mistakes in the application form can lead to you being denied the Study Visa.

                That is why it is advisable you consult an immigration specialist before you submit your application. They can go over your application and help you put together a complete portfolio of evidence.