Immigration - Ireland

Immigration to Ireland

In order to participate in a study abroad program in the Republic of Ireland, you must ensure you have the correct immigration status as specified by the Irish government. It is your responsibility to understand and follow immigration requirements. 

The OIE cannot give you official immigration advice; however, we can point you in the right direction. Your ultimate source should be the consulate of Ireland in the US that has jurisdiction for granting visas over your region of the US. For example, Colorado residents will use the Irish consulate in San Francisco. They are the ultimate source because - should you need a visa - they would be the ones responsible for issuing that visa to you.

Your second best source for immigration information is the International Office at your host university (e.g. Maynooth University's Immigration page). They have staff members who monitor Ireland’s policies for incoming study abroad students, and they will work hard to make sure that you have the most up-to-date and accurate immigration information. You should receive immigration information from them after you have been accepted to the program. 

Disclaimers aside, the following is meant to give you an idea of how the immigration process has worked in past years (including last fall); while it is likely that you will experience the same or a similar process, it could change. 

U.S. Citizens: All students studying at Ireland must apply for, and obtain, a residence permit after your arrival in Ireland and after registration with your university.

EU Citizens: EU citizens, including dual citizens, may not be required to obtain a residence permit.

• Planning to travel on an EU passport? Speak with your abroad university's international student support office to verify any additional requirements.

Applying for a Visa

If you do need a Visa before entering Ireland, applications should be made directly to your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate.

When to apply?
You can apply for a study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland. Note: Due to an increase of applications, the Irish Visa Office may take longer than normal to process visa applications. If you require a visa to enter Ireland we strongly recommend that you commence application as soon as possible to ensure you arrive in time for orientation.

Processing times can vary between countries and offices. They can also vary during high volume periods during the year. However, you can generally expect a decision within 8 weeks from the date on which your application is lodged at the Visa Office/Embassy/Consulate.

What to apply?  
You will apply for a Long stay ‘D’ visa for a study visa.

How to apply?

1. Complete Online Application.
   • Create and complete your visa application online using the AVATS on-line facility.
     • A comprehensive guide to completing your application can be accessed on the Irish Immigration Service website.
   • Print, sign, and date the summary form.
2. Provide Biometrics. You may be required to provide your Biometrics information as part of the application process.
3. Provide Required Documents. The instructions will differ depending on which country you are applying from. Remember to check the Irish Embassy/ Consulate details where your documentation is to be sent for any additional instructions. Here are some examples: 
   • Your signed and dated summary application form.
   • Your current passport and a full copy of any previous passports (your current passport must be valid for at least 12 months after your proposed date of arrival in Ireland)
   • Two color passport sized photographs not more than 6 months old (your name and visa application reference number must be printed clearly on the back)
   • Provide evidence from your abroad university that you have been accepted on a full-time course of study
   • A signed letter of application including your full contact details outlining your reason for wanting to come to Ireland and confirming to Visa Officials that you will observe the conditions of your visa, that you will not become a burden on the State, and that you will leave the State on the expiry of your permission to remain
   • Show evidence of tuition fees paid. You can use the DU Immigration Letter of Support.
   • Have private health insurance 
   • Show that you have enough money to support yourself while in Ireland (bank account statements for six months previously, evidence of access to €7,000 for a full year or €500 per month for a program of duration 6 months or less, sponsorship letter etc.)
   • Show evidence of language proficiency. INIS requires IELTS of 5.
   • Any other documents as requested by INIS or the Irish Embassy through which you are applying
   • Make sure you keep copies of all documents submitted.
4. Pay the Application Fee. Please refer to the table of Fees for information on the fee that you are required to pay.

Note: Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. You will, therefore, still have to apply for an Irish visa even if you have a visa for a Schengen country.

Arrival in Ireland – At the Airport

All non-EU citizens, whether visa-required or not, are subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry/airport.

Please note:

• The Immigration Officer makes the decision on who is actually allowed to enter Ireland.
• They will stamp your passport for either one or three months.
• This means you must register with the Irish Immigration Service within the time limit stamped on the passport. 
• If you plan to leave and come back to Ireland during your stay, you will have prove to an immigration officer that you have a valid reason to re-enter Ireland every time you return. Make sure you have any necessary documents with you for your return journey, before you travel.

To ensure you have no difficulties, we recommend that you have the following documents ready to show to the officer.

• Passport (with entry visa if appropriate)
• Offer/Acceptance Letter from your abroad university
• Evidence of tuition fees paid, scholarship details or US Financial Aid
  • DU Immigration Letter of Support
  • Scholarship/Financial Aid letter(s)
• Evidence of private medical health insurance, which must have a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment in an Irish hospital.

Immigration via Cork’s International Airport (UCC students only)
If you will be studying abroad in Cork, it is recommended that you fly into Cork’s International Airport. The reason that it is recommended that you fly into Cork’s International Airport is that it is occasionally possible to get your residence permit immediately upon exiting the plane. When you get to the immigration officer who is inspecting non-European Union citizens’ passports, show your valid passport, your original acceptance letter from UC Cork, and a letter of support from the DU Office of International Education. The immigration officer might be able to issue your residence permit stamp on the spot.

If you do not receive this stamp upon arrival in Cork or if you arrive in Ireland via Dublin’s airport, you will have 30 days to register at the immigration office. For more instructions, see below. 

Residence Permit

All non-EU students must register with the INIS after they have registered with the abroad university and before the expiry date stamped on their passport by immigration officials at the airport. Please visit the Irish Immigration Service website for further details. 

The following documents are required in order to register with the INIS:

• Completed Immigration Form. This form will be available to you at your orientation and from your Irish University’s International Education Office.
  • Check with your host institution to see if this form is necessary for your residence permit application. 
• Valid passport (showing entry visa if applicable). Make sure it will be valid for at least six months beyond your departure from Ireland.
• Original Letter of Acceptance from host university. Ensure that the letters shows that your college/school is covered by a learner protection scheme.
• Valid abroad university student ID card.
• Evidence of financial support. 
  • Non-visa required students (i.e. those who did not need to apply for a visa before entering Ireland) need to produce the following: 
    • Non-EU Students studying for a period of less than 6 months: €500 per month of stay or €3,000. There are typically a couple of options to fulfill this requirement. You can choose one and present:
      • Option 1: A statement in respect of an Irish bank account showing sufficient funds, where the student can open an Irish bank account. The account must be in the name of the student (same name as passport). 
      • Option 2: A current foreign bank statement not less than one-month-old, together with a past statement, for an account in the student’s name (as in your passport) accompanied by a debit card in the same name and same bank account 
      • Option 3: Documentary evidence that money is held in trust for a student by a financial services body regulated in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland 
      • Option 4: A pre-paid credit or debit card(s) with a verification of the amount(s) in credit 
      • Financial Aid: In addition, students who receive a scholarship which either part funds or fully funds both their course fees and living costs must provide a letter, issued to them by the relevant organization/institution confirming they are the recipient of a scholarship.
  • Visa required students: Visa required students who obtained a study visa to come to Ireland will no longer be obliged to present evidence of finance, on first registration, on the basis that the appropriate checks on finance have already been undertaken as part of the visa application process.
• Proof of private medical insurance, which must have a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment in an Irish hospital (coverage covers the student at minimum of €25,000 for Accident, €25,000 for Disease, and any period of hospitalization). For more information, please refer to the Irish Immigration Service website. 
• Evidence of permanent residence in Ireland. This may be in the form of a housing/lease agreement or will be provided by your host university. 
• Immigration fee (€300). You may pay by credit card or debit card (as long as the card is a 'chip and pin' card). 
  • This fee is refundable for Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) students. For reimbursement, please follow the instructions in the Study Abroad Handbook. 
• Others
  • Please also bring the DU Immigration Letter of Support.
  • Fingerprinting is part of the process of registering with INIS.

 
On successful completion of your INIS registration, you will be issued with an IRP Card/residence permit (formerly known as GNIB).This will be sent to you by post/mail and should arrive within 10 working days or will be available for pickup at your host university's international office or Garda (police) station. This is valid for one year, or for single semester students, until the end of your course.

Please remember that you are a guest in Ireland and that the issuing of your residence permit is at the discretion of the Irish government and immigration officers; in other words, you are not entitled to your residence permit, and they are not technically obligated to give it to you. Therefore, remember to be polite and be certain that every single aspect of your application is in order and complete before appearing at the immigration office

Port of Entry

It is advised that students DO NOT fly through the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) before entering the Republic of Ireland due to a lack of immigration tracking between the two countries. If you are planning to visit UK, make sure you do so only after you have made your original arrival to Ireland and passed through Irish customs. 


The University of Denver thanks our partner universities for relevant information provided for this document. This information was reviewed in December 2020.