Immigration, Visa and Working

Some international students will need a Student Visa to take up a place at university in Ireland. The list of countries whose citizens require visas is online at the Irish government website: www.oasis.gov.ie. Visa application forms are available from this website or from your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.

There are a number of regulations to adhere to when submitting your visa application. Students must include their letter of acceptance from their college, and the course on which they are enrolled must have a minimum of 15 hours a week study time. They must show their fees are already paid, and that they have a sufficient level of English and the academic ability to follow their course. Private medical insurance and immediate access to at least €7,000 spending money for each year of the course are also mandatory. Applicants must also assure the Irish authorities that they don’t intend to stay in Ireland following completion of their studies. A full list of these requirements is available from your local embassy or the www.oasis.gov.ie website.

Processing times for Irish student visas vary, but we recommend applying at least two months before you intend to enter Ireland. There is a right of appeal if your visa request is turned down. Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are €60 for a single-journey visa and €100 for a multiple-journey visa. Send the completed application form plus the relevant material to the Irish Embassy or Consulate in or accredited to the country in which you normally live. If there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country, send your visa application to your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate or the Visa Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

The granting of a Student Visa does not allow you to bring family members with you. A separate visa is needed for each person coming to Ireland, including children. Applicants for student visas who are under 18 years of age need to have parental consent (where applicable). The granting of a student visa to a person under 18 years of age does not entitle parents or guardians to join the student in Ireland.

Registration

Non-EU students, even those who have received a student visa, must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau in Dublin or the Immigration Officer in the area they are staying. You should bring your passport, student ID card and a letter from the Registrar’s Office of your college containing the start and completion date of your course. The International Office of your college should help you do this.

Working

EU/EEA (the EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) students are free to work in Ireland. Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA, who are attending full time courses of at least a year leading to a recognised qualification, are permitted to work part-time (defined as up to 20 hours a week and full-time during holidays). Many English language courses don’t meet these requirements and students attending these courses are not allowed to work. Once a student visa expires the permission to work in Ireland ends too.

The Irish government takes the work restrictions very seriously; anyone who breaks the rules risks having their permission to remain in Ireland taken away.