Ireland long-term study visa

Visa-required students accepted onto a qualifying full-time course in Ireland lasting more than three months.

• Choose an eligible course

  For third-level or language study lasting longer than 90 days, choose a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes or the TrustEd Ireland Providers eligible programmes list.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show full-time enrolment

  Submit a college acceptance letter confirming acceptance and enrolment on a full-time course involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition each week.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Pay course fees

  If course fees are less than €6,000, pay them in full before applying. If they are more than €6,000, pay at least €6,000 before applying and provide evidence of payment.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show academic ability

  Provide evidence that you can follow your chosen course, such as previous examination results or qualifications.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show language ability

  Show that you can follow your course in English or Irish. The published visa minimum for IELTS Academic is 5.0 for courses other than second-level, foundation-level or preparatory English courses, and 4.0 for those categories; other accepted tests have their own minimums. English-language-course applicants are not required to submit a test-provider result but may be asked for other evidence of basic English. A test certificate must have been issued within two years of the expected course start date.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Show living funds

  For academic courses beginning after 1 July 2023, show immediate access to at least €10,000 and ready access to at least €10,000 for each subsequent year, in addition to course fees. If the course lasts less than eight months, show access to €833 per month of your stay or €6,665, whichever is less. Funds must support your stay without public funds or reliance on casual employment.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide financial evidence

  Provide an up-to-date bank statement showing transactions over the previous six months, whether or not you pay for your studies yourself; explain large or irregular lodgements and provide the specified evidence for any sponsor.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have medical insurance

  Provide evidence of private medical insurance, arranged by your college or by you.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have a valid passport

  Your current passport must remain valid for at least 12 months after your planned arrival in Ireland.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Apply from your country of residence

  Apply from your home country or a country where you are legally resident.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Explain gaps in study

  Account for any gaps since your last period of full-time education up to the application, including full details of your employment history.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Disclose visa refusals

  If any country has previously refused you a visa, provide the details and the original refusal letter.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide documents for an unaccompanied childSometimes needed

  An unaccompanied applicant under 18 must provide a birth certificate, notarised parental or legal-guardian consent and the specified parent or guardian identity documents; accommodation details and Garda clearance are required where applicable.

  irishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Single-entry visa application, unless exemptirishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€60 per person
• Multiple-entry visa application, if applicable and unless exemptirishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€100 per person
• Stamp 2 registration, unless exemptirishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€300 per person
• Decision timeThe guidance says applicants can expect a decision in approximately eight weeks after the visa office, embassy or consulate receives the application. This is not a guaranteed maximum; times vary and some applications take longer.About 8 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Choose an eligible course

     3 months before you go

     For third-level or language study, check that your course appears on the ILEP or TrustEd Ireland eligible-programmes list.

   • Get your acceptance letter

     3 months before you go

     Obtain a letter confirming your full-time enrolment, course details and course fees paid and payable.

     You’ll need: College letter of acceptance

   • Prepare your supporting evidence

     3 months before you go

     Gather your passport, academic and language evidence, financial records, course-fee payment evidence and private medical insurance.

     You’ll need: Passport, Academic evidence, Language evidence, where required, Bank statements, Course-fee payment evidence, Private medical insurance evidence, Summary of Finances form

2. Apply

   • Complete the online visa application

     3 months before you go

     Apply through AVATS up to three months before travel, then print, sign and date its Summary Application Form.

     You’ll need: Signed and dated Summary Application Form

3. Visa

   • Pay the visa fee

     3 months before you go

     Follow your application summary’s payment instructions if you are not exempt from the visa fee.

     You’ll need: Visa-fee payment evidence, if applicable

   • Send your documents

     2 months before you go

     Send the signed form and supporting documents to the application office within 30 days of creating the AVATS application.

     You’ll need: Signed Summary Application Form, Passport, Two passport photographs, Supporting documents

   • Wait for the visa decision

     8 weeks before you go

     Do not buy travel tickets before you know the outcome of your application.

4. Travel

   • Present your documents at the border

     When you arrive

     Bring your passport, visa and supporting documents so you can show the immigration officer your reason for entering Ireland.

     You’ll need: Passport, Visa, Copies of visa-application documents

5. Settle in

   • Register your permission

     1 day after you arrive

     After arrival, book a first-time registration appointment and register your permission within 90 days.

     You’ll need: Passport, Entry visa, if required, Landing stamp, Proof of address, Registration documents for your permission

Eligible graduates with an Irish qualification may be able to apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme and Stamp 1G permission.

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• A third-level course or a language course - Immigration Service Deliveryirishimmigration.ieOfficial
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• Information on Student Finances - Immigration Service Deliveryirishimmigration.ieOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.