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