Citizens of certain countries who wish to pursue a course
of study in Ireland must apply for a visa to enter Ireland
before they travel here. Students from the EU/EEA do
not require a student visa to study in Ireland.
If you would like to study in Ireland and require
a visa, you will need to present the following to
your nearest Irish embassy or consulate with your
visa application.
Copies of your educational qualifications.
Letter of acceptance from a recognised school/college/university
in Ireland confirming that you have been accepted
on a course of study. This course of study must be
full time and have a minimum of 15 hours per week
study time.
Evidence that the fees for the course have been paid
in full.
Evidence that you have enough funds to maintain yourself
for at least the initial part of your stay.
Access to employment while in Ireland on a student
visa.
From 18th April 2005 new students given permisssion
to remain in Ireland for study will not be given permission
to work unless they are attending a full-time course
of at least a year leading to a recognised qualification
(recognised qualifications include those issued by
the Dublin Institute of Technology, the universities,
FETAC and HETAC). This change will not affect students
who have permission to remain on the 18th April 2005.
These students can continue to work part-time and
study in Ireland for the remaining period of their
visa. (See 'Renewal of student visas' below)
Renewal of student visas
From 1st January 2005 students who are not on full-time
courses of at least a year leading to a recognised
qualification will only be allowed to extend their
study visas when the total period of permissions granted
is no longer than 18 months in total. If the student
had permission to remain before 1st January 2005 this
18-month period is calculated from 1st January 2005.
Extending a student visa
If you wish to study in Ireland for less than three
months you should apply for a 'C study visa'. If your
course lasts longer than three months, you should
apply for a 'D study visa'.
If you hold a 'C study visa' and wish to extend the
period of your stay in Ireland, you should visit your
local Garda station (police station) and present yourself
to the Registration Officer for the area where you
live. (The Registration Officer for your area will
be a member of An Garda Siochana (the Irish police
force). You may also be requested to apply in writing
for your visa extension to the Department of Justice,
Equality and Law Reform.
Generally speaking, the duration of a 'C study visa',
(that is, a three month visa for study in Ireland)
is not extended once you have arrived in Ireland.
Extensions will be granted in exceptional cases only.
It's very important therefore to make sure you know
the duration of your course before you apply for a
visa. Further information on how to apply to extend
a student visa is under 'How to apply' below.
Rules
People who do not require visas to visit Ireland
You do not require a visa to visit Ireland if you
are a citizen of an EU/EEA member State.
You do not need a visa to visit Ireland if you are
from one of the countries listed below.
You require a visa if you are from a country not
listed below.
Andorra, Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,
Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador,
Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong,
Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein,
Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru,
New Zealand, Nicaragua, Macau, Maldives, Norway, Panama,
Saint, Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines, San Marino Seychelles, Singapore,
Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland,
Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvala, United
States, Uruguay, Vanuata, Vatican City, Venezuela,
Western Samoa.
You do not need an entry visa if you hold a British
Hong Kong passport and have a right of abode in Great
Britain.
Travellers from British Dependent Territories (Colonies)
You do not require a visa if you are from British
Dependent Territories (Colonies), which are:
Anguilla
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory (South Georgia, South
Sandwich Islands)
British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago,
Peros Banos, Diego Garcia, Danger Island)
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands and Dependencies
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Pitcairn (Henderson, Ducie and Oneno Islands)
St. Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Tristan
Da Cunha)
The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Turks and Caicos Island
British Virgin Islands
Rates
Standard non-refundable visa application processing
fees are:
Single-journey visa: 60 euro
Multiple-journey visa: 100 visa
Certain applicants are not required to pay a fee.
They include non-EU Spouses of EU citizens and nationals
of the countries listed below:
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Ecuador
Indonesia
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Kirghizstan
Morocco
Peru
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Serbia and Montenegro
Zambia
How to apply
Send your application for a student visa (pdf) 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.
Extending a student visa for Ireland
The police registration officer in the area in Ireland
where you live can advise you on any application forms
you will need to complete to extend your student visa.
Your application to extend your visa should contain
the following information:
details of and proof of payment of course/study fees
details of the course of study
information on where you will live
evidence that you are self-sufficient
copy of your passport with your original study visa
visa reference number and your nationality
details of attendance if this is a further education
course
Where to apply
Your nearest Irish embassy or Consulate or:
Visa Office,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
13-14 Burgh Qua,y
Dublin 2.
Republic of Ireland
Tel: (01) 633 1000, intl: +353 1 633 1000 (Mon-Fri
2:30p.m. - 4:00pm)
E-mail: visa@iveagh.gov.ie
Garda National Immigration Bureau,
13/14 Burgh Quay,
Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 666 9100, from abroad: +00 353 1 666 9100
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