Relocation Information

On Arriving to Ireland (airport arrival)	Apply for your IRP Card (first-time registrations)
Show Proof of Funds €6665	How to Open an Irish Bank Account
Apply for a Job (PPS Number)	Discounted Bus Tickets
Your New Life in Cork

Course Requirements

Attendance Guidelines	Final Exam
Holiday Requests	School Closure Dates

Applying for Your IRP Card (first time registrations)

• All students registered on a Work and Study Stamp 2/Visa related course need to apply for an IRP card while here in Ireland.
• First time registrations for applicants residing in Cork will be required to register their immigration permission in Dublin at the Registration Office located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
• The first step is to make an appointment for that meeting in Dublin.
• Appointments for first-time registration have to be made using the new online Immigraiton Registration Platform.
• Create an account at Digital Contact Centre (DCC): https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
• To create an account you will need your email address, mobile number and an Identification Document.

• Make sure on first registration you are using this link: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/. Other links may be related to renewals for a 2nd or 3rd stay in Ireland and you should not use any other link for the purposes of first-time registration.
• Once you have registered, you can make registration appointments, ask questions, request changes to your personal details, and check your application progress all in one place.
• If you are having issues with the DCC platform please email : [email protected] OR [email protected]

• Applications for first time immigration residence permission registration must be made within 90 days following arrival of the person in the State.
• You will receive your appointment date and time by email.
• In that email you will also be asked to fill in your address in Cork to a document. This is important as this is the address your IRP card will eventually be posted to.

You must bring the following to your appointment in Dublin:

• The biometric page of your current valid passport. This is the page that shows your photograph, passport number and date of birth.
• A letter from your school dated on or after the date your course commenced, confirming your enrolment as a student on a full time English language course, for a minimum of 25 weeks and listed on the ILEP.
• The school will give you a hardcopy of your school letter at the school reception desk – This letter will be signed, stamped and printed for you). Do not print the electronic version yourself. You will need to get the school letter from reception – signed, stamped and printed)
• Proof you have paid college/school fees.
• Private Medical Insurance with medical cover for accidents and medical incident including hospital stays in Ireland, valid for 12 months, or if less than 12 months for the duration of your stay(either the school or your agency will give you this).
• Proof of having €6665
• Immigration will charge you €300 for your IRP card (this must be paid by card and cannot be paid by cash)
• Full List of Required Documents

Your IRP Card will be posted to your address in Cork.

How to Show Proof of Having €6665

You need to show Immigration that you have access to €6665 at first registration (Only applies to some students)

• This applies to Non-Embassy application students only: (examples Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Uruguay). You must show you have direct access to €6665.
• This does not apply to Embassy application students: (examples Colombia, China, Morocco, Peru, , Turkey, Venezuela). This is because the appropriate checks on finance have already been undertaken as part of the visa application process in your home country by the Irish Embassy. This means you DO NOT need to show €6665 in a bank account on registration with Immigration in Cork.

Show that you have access to €6665 by one of the following:

Full List of Financial Requirements

1. Show your €6665 in a foreign bank account (your account at home for example or a parent or guardian’s account):

• If you choose this option, you must bring 2 original bank statements from a foreign bank.
• The first statement must show a balance of €6665. The statement must less than 1 month old.
• The second statement must be from the same bank for the past 6 months. It must be no less than 6 months old.
• You can print your bank statements during the first week after arriving in Ireland, showing that you had access to the required funds on arrival.
• Both statements must be for the same account and in the same name ( ie the same name as in your passport, or your parent/ guardian’s – please print a copy of your parent/guardian’s passport where applicable).
• If the bank statement is in your own name you must also show that you have a debit card that will allow cash withdrawals in Ireland. The debit card must be for the same bank account that has the €6665.
• If the student chooses this option and the currency is not in Euro than a printout from a currency converter is required to show the amount in Euro’s on the day of registration.

2. Show your €6665 using an Online/Digital Bank Account

• Check out Revolut or Money Jar. Both have Irish IBANs.
• This is a good option if you can electronically transfer funds from one account to another.
• You can print your bank statements during the first week after arriving in Ireland, showing that you had access to the required funds on arrival.

3.Show your €6665 on pre-paid credit card or debit card

• If you choose this option, you must bring evidence to demonstrate to the registration office that you have a pre-paid credit card(s) or debit card(s) with €6665.
• You can print your bank statements during the first week after arriving in Ireland, showing that you had access to the required funds on arrival.
  
  4. Show your €6665 using a regular Irish Bank Account (AIB for example)

How to Open an Irish Bank Account

Consider a Digital Account

• Both Revolut or Money Jar now have Irish IBANs starting with IE (for some employers in Ireland this is important).
• You can use this digital account to show proof of having €6665 if you like. You can make an electronic transfer from one account to this new digital account.
• You cannot lodge cash to these accounts. You can only make online transfers.
• You can open a digital account within minutes!
• You can print your bank statements during the first week after arriving in Ireland, showing that you had access to the required funds on arrival.

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Open a Regular (traditional) Irish Bank Account

• This might be useful if staying in Ireland long term or need to make cash lodgments. You will find detailed instructions about opening an AIB Irish Bank Account here.
• If you follow the instructions carefully you could have an AIB Irish Bank Account within 2 weeks.
• You can print your bank statements during the first week after arriving in Ireland, showing that you had access to the required funds on arrival.

Attendance Guidelines

• An attendance rate of 85% is required.
• A register is taken before and after the break each day and attendance is calculated on the basis of both registers.
• Attendance by students is defined as attending the full designated tuition hours – i.e. arriving more than 10 minutes late, or leaving before the class has concluded, means the student is marked absent for the class / class segments.
• You will receive a verbal warning from the Director of Studies if your projected attendance reaches 95%. 
• A First Letter of Warning is issued if your projected attendance percentage reaches 92%.
• A Second Letter of Warning will be issued if your projected attendance reaches 88%.
• In cases of illness, please provide the school with a medical certificate. This will not affect your attendance

Final Exam Requirements

You are obliged by Immigration to take the end  of course exam (TIE or IELTS) which you selected when booking your course. The school will register you for this exam. The Academic Team will reach out to you closer to your exam date to help you prepare and give you the exam schedule.

How to Make a Holiday Request

Eligibility for Holidays

• Courses of 25+ Weeks: Students may take up to 3 weeks holiday (15 working days + 3 weekends).

Holiday Terms and Procedures

• Holidays must be prearranged with at least 2 weeks’ notice.
• Holidays must align with a full week (Monday to Friday).
• Approved holiday weeks are added to the end of the course duration.
• As per Immigration policy, Stamp 2/Study Visa holders must have completed at least:
• 3 weeks of their course before taking 1 weeks holidays
• 6 weeks of their course before taking 2 weeks holidays
• 9 weeks of their course before taking 3 weeks holidays

Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive confirmation that your holiday is approved.

School Closure Dates

As well as weekends the school will be closed on the following public holiday dates:

Public Holidays 2026

02 February, 17 March, 06 April, 04 May,  01 June, 03 August, 26 October.

Christmas period closure dates: 21 December 2026 to 04 January 2027.

Apply for a Student Bus Ticket

Student Bus Fares

Cork City buses are an easy and affordable way to travel around the city. We recommend using a TFI Leap Card, which offers discounted fares compared with paying by cash.

Current Cork City Bus Fares

For eligible Cork City TFI bus services, the current fares are:

• Adult Leap Card: €1.70
• Young Adult Leap Card (19–25): €0.85
• Student Leap Card: €0.85

The TFI 90-Minute Fare allows you to travel on eligible Cork City TFI bus services and transfer between buses within 90 minutes of your first journey for one fare. You must tap your Leap Card each time you board.

Young Adult and Student Leap Card holders can also benefit from fare capping. The current Cork City caps are €2.55 per day and €10.20 per week.

Please note that the Cork TFI 90-Minute Fare is currently available only on eligible TFI Cork City bus services. It does not apply to rail services or the following bus routes:

200, 226, 228, 240, 241, 245, 260 and 261.

If You Are Aged 19–25 – Apply for a Young Adult Leap Card

Anyone aged 19–25 can apply for a Young Adult TFI Leap Card. You do not need to be a student to qualify.

The Young Adult Leap Card provides 50% off adult public transport fares across participating TFI services, including Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, TFI Local Link and participating commercial bus operators.

You can apply online and will need to provide proof of your date of birth, such as a passport or driving licence. The card is issued in your name and is non-transferable.

Young Adult and Student Card

If You Are Aged 16–18 or 26 and Over – Apply for a Student Leap Card

Students aged 16–18 or 26 and over may be eligible for a Student TFI Leap Card.

To qualify, you must:

• Be enrolled in full-time education or training.
• Have at least 15 hours of lectures or class time per week.
• Be enrolled in a course lasting at least 6 months (25 weeks).
• Provide the required supporting documentation confirming your course details.

Full-time international students who meet these requirements can also apply for a Student Leap Card while in Ireland. Online-only courses are not eligible.

For CEA students, our Work & Study Programme includes a 25-week English course, so the course duration meets the 25-week requirement. However, students must also meet the other TFI eligibility requirements, including the full-time education and 15-hours-per-week requirements.

When applying, students must provide supporting evidence from their educational institution confirming that the course is full-time, lasts at least 25 weeks, and includes at least 15 hours of classes per week.

Young Adult and Student Card

Alternative: Use the TFI Go App

The TFI Go app allows you to buy and use eligible public transport tickets directly from your phone. Tickets are available for Bus Éireann, TFI Local Link and selected commercial bus operators.

TFI Go offers different ticket options depending on the service, including 1-, 2- and 10-journey tickets and selected zonal tickets. Adult, Young Adult and Student ticket types are available on participating services.

How to Use the TFI Go App

1. Create an account

Download the TFI Go app and register for an account.

2. Select your journey

Choose the relevant operator, such as Bus Éireann, and search for your journey.

3. Choose your ticket

Select the ticket available for your route. The available ticket types and fares depend on the service and journey.

4. Select the correct passenger type

If you are eligible for a Young Adult or Student fare, select the appropriate passenger type when purchasing your ticket.

5. Activate your ticket

Tickets must be activated before boarding. Do not activate your ticket too far in advance, as activated tickets have a limited validity period depending on the ticket and operator.

6. Show your ticket when boarding

Show the activated ticket on your phone to the driver or authorised official. Depending on the service, your ticket may be checked visually or electronically.

Important Information About TFI Go

TFI Go tickets are different from the TFI 90-Minute Fare available when using a TFI Leap Card on eligible Cork City bus services.

If you regularly use Cork City buses and are eligible for a Young Adult or Student TFI Leap Card, using your Leap Card gives you access to the current €0.85 Cork City fare and the 90-minute transfer benefit on eligible services.

For the latest information about fares, eligibility and applications, please check the official TFI websites:

Young Adult and Student Card

TFI Cork Fares

TFI Go App

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How to Apply for a Job

Finding a job in Cork can be a great way to maximize your English language use in real life settings. Put what you have learned in class into practice in real life work settings.

Apply for a PPS Number

Everybody who would like to start work in Ireland will need a PPS number. You will need the following for your visit to the PPS Office in Cork:

• Your passport
• A Job offer letter or confirmation email from an employer offering you a job, stating your new job position and start date.
• Proof of address ( present your school letter and insurance documents with matching addresses).

Find more information about the PPS application at Gov.ie

Monthly Jobs Club

Remember to sign up for our Monthly Jobs Club where we help students with:

• Writing a CV/ Resume
• Writing a Cover Letter
• Interview Skills

Sign-up for the next Jobs Club on the school notice board located in the student chill-out area, ground floor.

Useful Contact Information

• School Telephone + 353 21 203 8786
• School Emergency mobile +353 867900 860
• School Email: [email protected]
• Academic & Exam Information: [email protected] ,Vincent O’ Connor
• Immigration & Attendance Information: [email protected]

Information Sources

• Required Documents for an IRP Registration (irishimmigration.ie)
• IRP Registration for Cork students will now take place in Dublin (gov.ie)
• Permission to start work before having a physical IRP Card (gov.ie)

Your New Life in Cork

Essential Apps for Life in Cork

The Transport apps are very useful if you end up living outside of the city center for example with host family.

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Setting up a local Irish bank account is recommended if you’re staying in Ireland for a longer time.

How to Guides

Check out these How-To Guides, designed to help you navigate life in a new city with ease.

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Meet New Friends

Get out and about, meet new friends and practice your English.

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Places to Study in Cork

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Discover Cork

Explore Cork city’s historic buildings, narrow streets and lively markets in one of Ireland’s oldest cities.

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Local Websites

Check out these websites for local information, events, and community connections.

Cork has everything you need for a fulfilling and enriching language stay, from its rich cultural heritage to its welcoming people and lively student life. Come to Cork, improve your English, and discover what makes this city so special.