Ireland Services Immigration

Services for Students
Studying in Ireland

Contact the Irish Embassy or consulate in your home country to find out if you require a visa to study in Ireland, as not all international students need a study visa. For example United States of America and Canadian passport-holders do not need visas.

If you do require a visa, the Irish Embassy or consulate will supply you with a visa application form. To find your nearest Irish embassy, please click here:
http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/embassies/default.

Along with your completed visa application form, you will need an official letter of acceptance offering you a place on a recognised course in an Irish University, Institute of Technology or approved Private College. The following documents must also be submitted with an application for a Study Visa:

Valid passport
Date, place and mode of arrival in Ireland
Letter from university or college indicating that you have been offered a place
Letter from university or college indicating that your fees have been paid in full
Proof of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for your proposed stay
Recent passport photographs

Please be aware that an application fee of Euros 25, 60 or 100 will be required depending on your country of origin.

If there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country, you may apply directly, requesting an Irish Study Visa Application Form, by post to:

The VISA OFFICE
Department of Foreign Affairs
13 - 14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 1, IRELAND

Telephone +353 1 633 10000
(weekdays ONLY, from 14.30 - 16.00 hours GMT)

Fax: +353-1-6331052/1053

E-mail: visa@iveagh.gov.ie

The Application Process for a student visa may take between 8 to 12 weeks or longer, so make sure you allow sufficient time for the process.

When you apply for an Irish Study Visa, you will receive a Reference Number, which you will need for any future queries regarding your visa application.

For more information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, please visit: www.irlgov.ie/iveagh/services/visas

For more information about student visa requirements:
www.justice.ie/80256E

All visiting students (including those who don’t require visas) are required to register with immigration shortly after arriving in Ireland.

You may be required to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau. However, this procedure takes place in some universities at the beginning of the academic year so it is a good idea to enquire at the university that you will be attending before you arrive