Study Visa for Ireland

It is important to check if you require a study visa for Ireland.

In general, students visiting Ireland travelling with a passport issued in the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not require a visa to enter Ireland.

Additionally, passport holders of a number of other non-EU countries do not need to get a visa before travelling to Ireland but they will, if staying for over 90 days, need to formalize their stay and apply for permission to remain at the Cork Immigration Office.

Countries that do not need to get a visa before travelling to Ireland:

Andorra Honduras Samoa
Antigua & Barbuda Hong Kong (Special Admin. Region) San Marino
Argentina Israel Seychelles
Australia Japan Singapore
Bahamas Kiribati Solomon Islands
Barbados Lesotho South Africa
Belize Macau (Special Admin. Region) South Korea
Botswana Malaysia Swaziland (Eswatini)
Bolivia Maldives Taiwan
Brazil Mexico Tonga
Brunei Monaco Trinidad & Tobago
Canada Nauru Tuvalu
Chile New Zealand Ukraine
Costa Rica Nicaragua United Arab Emirates
Dominica Panama United Kingdom (see note below)
El Salvador Paraguay United States of America
Fiji Saint Kitts & Nevis Uruguay
Grenada Saint Lucia Vanuatu
Guatemala Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Vatican City
Guyana

Students from this list will, if staying for over 90 days, need to formalize the stay in Ireland and apply for permission to remain at the Cork Immigration Office.

Visa Requiring Countries

If your country is not on this list it may be necessary for you to obtain a visa before you travel (for example China, Colombia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Peru, Turkey).

Applying for a Study Visa before Travelling to Ireland

(for example China, Colombia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Peru, Turkey).

Firstly, You should Contact your nearest Irish Embassy.

Your Nearest Irish Embassy official will ask you to show/prove the following:

  • You are enrolled on a privately funded course involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition each week
  • Equally important, You have paid the requisite fees to the college
  • You have the academic ability to follow your chosen course
  • If applying from now until June 2023 that you have immediate access to at least €7,000 for long term, €3000 for short term
  • From July 2023 the Embassy will want to see proof of having €4,200 for a short term course
  • From July 2023 the Embassy will want to see proof of having €10, 000 
  • You have private medical insurance
  • You can account for any gaps in your educational history
  • Furthermore, your intention is to return to your country of permanent residence following completion of your studies in Ireland
  • Additionally, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the completion of your course

How to Apply for a Visa

Firstly, download the Irish Visa Application Form form or use the AVATS online application service of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). Equally important, you should check that you need a visa and read the application instructions (in English or other languages) before proceeding.

Furthermore, allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa. Processing times for student visa applications vary depending on the volume of applications lodged but generally a minimum time of 8 weeks is recommended. Visa decisions are published weekly on the Irish Government Immigration website. You can check the status of your application by entering the Visa Reference Number that is issued to you.

If you have been granted a study visa on the basis that you will attend school/college you must take in a course which involves at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition each week.

Finally, if you are granted a visa in your native country for a stay longer than 90 days you can travel to Ireland where you will then be instructed by the immigration officer at the airport to apply for Permission to Remain in Ireland at the Cork Garda Station.

Useful Links

ILEP (List of approved school courses in Ireland for study visa purposes)
Irish National Immigration Services (INIS) & Irish Residence Permit (IRP)
Contact your nearest Irish Embassy