Ireland Student Visa Extension

Applying for a Student Visa Extension must be done within Ireland and should be done at least 30 days before your current permission expires.

The following steps are critical in renewing your Student Visa.

• Create an account at the Irish Immigration website.
• Ensure all the required documents mentioned above are in digital form.
• Log in to your account and start your application process.
• Upload the digital copy documents.
• Pay the fee of € 300 if applicable.
• Submit your application for review by the immigration department. You will receive an email containing the application number and payment receipt. These details are used every time you wish to contact the immigration department.

Total Law can help you with this process. Reach out to us at +353 061 518 025 for support at any stage of your application.

Yes, extending a Student Visa in Ireland for more than one time is possible, subject to certain conditions. The Irish immigration authorities permit students to stay in the country for a maximum of seven years to complete their studies. This includes the duration of all Student Visas issued, including extensions.

The extension is typically given yearly and is contingent on several factors, including your course of study, academic progress, attendance, and ability to support yourself financially without relying on public funds or casual employment.

To apply for an extension, you must demonstrate that you are progressing academically. This usually involves providing exam results or letters from your institution showing that you’ve passed exams and are continuing to the next level of your course.

The Student Visa extension you can receive in Ireland depends on your academic level according to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

For those studying up to NFQ Level 8, the residence permit can be extended annually for up to 7 years.

Meanwhile, the residence permit can be renewed every two years for students undertaking studies at NFQ Level 9 or higher, with a total cap of 8 years.

A brief overview of the Ireland NFQ level are:

• NFQ Level 7: This is an Ordinary Bachelor Degree, typically completed in 3 years.
• NFQ Level 8: This level includes an Honours Bachelor Degree, usually taken over 3-4 years, and a Higher Diploma that can be completed in a year.
• NFQ Level 9: This encompasses a Postgraduate Diploma, which takes about a year, and a Master’s Degree that could be completed in 1-2 years.
• NFQ Level 10: This corresponds to a Doctoral Degree, which takes roughly around 4 years to complete.

After completing your studies as an international student, you may wish to remain in Ireland. The Third Level Graduate scheme offers non-EEA students who have completed a degree at level 8 or above the chance to stay in Ireland to further higher education courses, seek employment, or apply for an Irish residence permit/work permit.

To be eligible, you need to have:

• A valid passport
• An up-to-date immigration registration card
• Evidence of private medical insurance
• Evidence of award completion from the college or university.

The duration of this permission depends on your level of study, ranging from 12 months for bachelor’s degree graduates to 24 months for those with a doctoral degree.

Yes, If uncontrollable events, like health issues validated by medical documents or accidents, prevent you from attending your examinations, it’s possible that you could be granted an extension on your permission for an additional four months, enabling you to resit the exams.

If your exam scores were marginally below the passing threshold, or if you’ve successfully completed most of your other modules, your case will also be taken into consideration. However, please note that extensions are not offered for redoing an entire academic year’s curriculum.