Ireland Visa For Study: All You Need to Know About It!

Updated on: 06 Sep 2023

Since 2013, the number of international students going to Ireland for higher education has jumped by 45%! It’s taken the total number of non-EEA students studying full-time to 18,500.

Why Is Ireland Becoming So Popular For Studies Abroad? 

Besides being part of the European Union, there are no language barriers, and it has a generous post-study work policy. After a bachelor’s/master’s degree, known as Level 8 in Ireland, a student from India can use the Third Level Graduate Scheme to stay for up to 24 months to look for a job. 

Have You Been Thinking of a Master's in Ireland?

If yes, then the first step is to find the top colleges in Ireland and apply. The second and necessary step is an Ireland visa for students, which we tackle in this post.

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How To Apply For An Ireland Student Visa?

One of the first Ireland visa requirements is enrolment in a full-time course. The degree must also be part of the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The second requirement is a confirmation that you have paid your fees in full to the required college.

When these two basic criteria are met, you can apply for the Irish study visa online on the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service website. 

There are 2 types of study visa in Ireland -

• The C Visa for short stay: This is applicable for courses that last for less than three months. 
• The D Visa for a long stay: This is applicable for any degree that is longer than three months. For a master’s course, you will need to apply for this visa.

The official website has guidelines on how to complete the student visa application. Along with the form, you will have to submit the following primary documents: 

• The letter of acceptance from the university in Ireland.
• Financial evidence that you can afford to stay in Ireland for the first year. The country considers EUR 7,000 as sufficient funds.
• Evidence that you are proficient in the English language. The minimum IELTS bands required for Ireland student visa is 5, while the minimum TOEFL requirement is 6. 
• Proof that you have medical insurance. 
• Proof that you intend to return to India after leaving Ireland.

Applying For Permission After Landing in Ireland

Ireland has one additional visa rule than most places, and it is mandatory. As soon as you enter the country with your study visa, you have to register with the local registration office, the Garda National Immigration Bureau. There an officer puts a Stamp 2 on your passport. This stamp shows you can stay in Ireland for longer than the 90 days Visa D allows and complete your master’s degree. 
Along with the stamp, you also receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP). It is proof that you are registered to stay.
Note: Here’s the process of registration in detail given by the official site.

How Much Does Ireland Visa Cost for a Student?

A multiple journey visa has a EUR 100 fee, while a single-journey Ireland Visa Application processing fee is EUR 60. Since a student visa is for Long Stay, i.e. Visa D, you should apply for a multiple-journey visa.
Note: With a single-entry visa, you are allowed to travel to Ireland on one occasion between the dates of validity indicated on your visa, while with a multi-entry visa, you are allowed to travel to Ireland on a number of occasions during the dates shown on your visa, for short trips only.

When Should You Apply For An Ireland Study Visa?

Once you have received your enrolment letter from the college and paid your tuition, you can apply for the study visa. The earliest you can submit the visa application is 3 months before your date of travel.
If you’re wondering how many days for Ireland visa to be processed, then it varies. The Irish embassy advises having 6 to 8 weeks at hand, even though the processing time is 10 working days. They also caution against buying air tickets until the student visa is issued.

Do You Need a Visa To Work While Studying in Ireland?

You do not need a separate work permit to be employed in Ireland, if:

• You are enrolled in a full-time course that is at least a year-long and given in the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
• Hold the certificate of registration, i.e. IRP card. 

In such a case, your passport has a Stamp number 2, which allows you casual employment. The stamp gives you the freedom to work:

• 40 hours/week when the college is on vacation (June to Sept and 15 Dec to 15 Jan).
• 20 hours/week while a term is going on.

Note: If the course you picked is not listed in ILEP, you are not allowed to work while studying. 

How Can Indian Students Get a Work Visa in Ireland After Course Completion?

International students can easily get a work visa in Ireland after finishing their master’s degree through the Revised Third Level Graduate scheme. You are applicable to stay back in the country for up to two years and look for employment. The program allows you to work full-time, i.e. 40 hours in a week. 
You can apply for an extension to stay in the country through the scheme, if:

• You have studied a course from a recognised Irish institute.
• Have a Stamp 2 on your visa.

The visa under this scheme is non-renewable, but once you have a job offer or your two years are up, you can apply for the General Employment Permit.

Read Also:

• Ireland Universities Application Deadlines 2023
• Part-Time Work Options in the Ireland
• STEM Courses in Ireland: An Analysis
• Path to Permanent Residency in Ireland
• Cost of Living in the Ireland
• Top 10 Universities To Study In Ireland

How Can You Get a Permanent Resident Visa in Ireland? 

The path to permanent residency in Ireland begins with the General Employment Permit. If you have the permit and have been living in the country for 5 years, you apply for a permanent visa. 
A quicker method is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which was previously called Green Card. It is given to techies like ICT professionals and engineers. Holders of this permit can apply for PR in 2 years. 

Education Loan For Ireland: The Last (But Crucial) Step to Applying For Visa

In most countries, you first get the student visa and then you pay the college tuition. In Ireland, the process is reversed. You need to pay the course fee first and only then can you apply for a valid study visa. Most banks are not aware of this pre-visa disbursement clause, which leaves you in a fix. 

How do you apply for a student visa, if you don’t have the funds to pay the university? It’s here GyanDhan comes to your aid. 
We make sure that a) your lender is aware of the policy in Ireland and b) the loan is approved and disbursed as soon as possible to give you sufficient time to apply for the visa!
Lastly, we highly recommend taking a free admission counselling session before applying. We'll not only give your recommendation on the best education loans for MS in Ireland or an MBA, but also make the process of Ireland study visa hassle-free.

• Student visa 
• Ireland 
• study abroad 

First published date: 30 Mar 2020