Ireland Student Visa 2024: Check the Types, Eligibility, Application Process, and Fees

Ireland offers a variety of courses and university choices along with innovation and research opportunities. Therefore, many students aspire to study in Ireland. To get a student visa in Ireland the candidates must apply for an Ireland student visa. Both types of visa short and long are available in Ireland. The candidates who will be staying in Ireland for less than 3 months then have to apply for short-term visas and long-term visas in case of more than 3 months. Check below the article to learn more about Ireland student visas such as the application process, types, eligibility criteria, processing time, fees, etc.

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What is an Ireland Student Visa?

International students who wish to pursue education in Ireland must apply for the Ireland student visa. Non-EEA nationals are required to enrol themselves in full-time courses in Ireland. Candidates who wish to study in Ireland for less than 3 months should apply for a  C study visa and if they wish to study in Ireland for more than 3 months, they are required to apply for a D study visa. All the required documents should be submitted in English or should be accompanied by a notarized translation.

Types of Ireland Student Visa

There are two types of student visas in Ireland. Check the types of Ireland student visas given below:

• Type C Visa – This type of visa is also known as short-stay C visa. This visa is issued to candidates who aim to study in Ireland for a very short period such as 90 days. The visa is only issued for training purposes and therefore students cannot work with this visa.
• Type D Visa – This visa is for an extended stay of more than 3 months. International students are allowed to work with this visa.

Eligibility Criteria for Ireland Student Visa

To apply for an Ireland student visa the candidates must satisfy the given minimum eligibility criteria:

• The candidates are required to have a graduate degree with at least 60% from a UGC or AICTE-recognized university.
• They should be at least 18 years of age but there is no restriction on the upper age limit.
• Candidates must score at least 570 on paper-based tests and 90 on web-based tests in IELTS.
• They should have medical insurance.
• They should be able to give complete details about their contact and their reason for staying in Ireland.
• They should provide evidence of financial funds to support themselves in Ireland.

Documents Required for Ireland Student Visa

Check below the list of documents required for Ireland visa application:

• Complete the application form with your signature
• An application letter with full name and postal address
• Date of visit to Ireland
• Reason for travelling to Ireland
• Two colored passport-sized photographs
• Copy of current passports and previous passports
• Evidence showing that you have enrolled in a private course
• Evidence of application fee payment
• Evidence of English Language 
• Proof of financial funds to support themselves in Ireland
• Proof of medical insurance and record of visa refusals in the past

Ireland Student Visa Age Limit

The age limit for Ireland student visa applications is not specified. However, applicants who are below the age of 18 years would require parent/guardian consent, If a student below the age of 18 years obtains a student visa it means that the family members cannot accompany the student or join the student in Ireland. 

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Additional Documents for Students Below the Age of 18

Students who are below the age of 18 will have to bring additional documents to obtain a visa. These documents are as follows:

• Birth certificate of the student
• Consent of the legal guardian or parent. (For this, you can provide copies of the biometric page of the parents, or the national identity card showcasing the bearer’s signature)
• Accommodation and vetting certificate: Provide the address of the place where you are going to stay in Ireland. At least 1 parent must join the student for the duration of studies. In such cases, a statement has to be issued by the parent. In case the parent is not joining the student, he/she must include clearance from the Irish police regarding where the student is living 

Watch the video below to learn about Ireland’s student visa requirements

How to Apply for an Ireland Student Visa?

Check the application process for an Ireland student visa given below:

• Firstly check your eligibility to apply for a visa in Ireland
• Visit the official website of INIS and fill out the application form
• Note the unique visa transaction number and then print the application form
• Gather all the required documents to submit along with the application process through mail or post

Check below the deadlines for Ireland Student Visa to Apply:

Higher Study Options	Duration	Intake Months	Deadline to Apply
Bachelors	3/4 Years	Sep (Major), Feb (Minor)	6-8 months before the intake month
Masters (MS/MBA)	2 Years	Sep (Major), Feb (Minor)

Application Fees for Ireland Student Visa

The cost of an Ireland visa ranges between € 80 and €150 depending on the type. The two types of visa are type C and type D. Check below the application fees as per the visa type and entry type:

Entry Type	Long Stay D Visa	Short Stay C Visa
Single Entry	€80	€80
Multi entry	€150	€150
Transit	€40	n/a

Learn in detail about Ireland visa process

Processing Time for Ireland Student Visa

The processing time of an Ireland visa depends upon the countries, visa offices, embassies, and consulate. Apart from this, the visa may also get delayed if there are a vast number of applications at the same time. However, the decision can be expected within 8 – 10 weeks from the date of application.

There can be delays in visa processing if:

• All the documents are not submitted properly
• If verification is required for the supporting documents

Student Visa and Employment Opportunities in Ireland 

Those who have enrolled in a course on the  Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) can work for 20 hours part-time per week in  Ireland. For this purpose, they will have stamp 2 endorsed on their passport. During the holiday period, such students can take up 40 hours of work per week. That is, starting from June to September, and form 15th December to January 15th. When the visa expires, the right to work will also expire.

On the other hand, students who are not attending such courses, are not allowed to take up employment or work opportunities in Ireland.  Such students will get stamp 2A on their passport,

What to Do If I Want to Leave for a Short While?

Students who have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or have a GNIB card do not need a re-entry permit. In such cases, the IRP card and passport are acceptable. There is no need for a re-entry visa. It means those students who do not have Irish residency will not be allowed re-entry.

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FAQs

We hope you now understand what is an Ireland Student Visa, the application process, processing time, application fees, etc. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!