Ireland – Applying for a Student Visa

Student Visa Application –

Online application is the only option and is acknowledged by the forums.

You need to adhere to the online formalities and their guidelines in order to get a go ahead in the process.

Kindly note – Please go through the formalities of the required documentations and apply accordingly, failing which your visa may be denied.

Key aspects –

  • Online application form completion.
  • Send your documents, along with a passport size photo to the Irish embassy address.
  • Passport validity for a year is mandatory.
  • Application fee to be cleared.
  • State in detail, the reason for your application for a visa, as in what are your intentions for going to Ireland. Please specify “Education” as the only reason.

Please note – A letter from the university is a must, stating your communication and confirmation with them, as well as other relevant details.

Conformation of the fee amount and the payment confirmation is required.

Medical Insurance is a must. In case provided by the college or self – supported, the evidence is mandatory.

Proof of Fee Payment

Proof that you have payed the fees before visa application is required. These applications should consist of either of the following –

  • A copy of a Fund transfer electronically from the applicant towards  the Irish Bank of the college, showing relevant details of the beneficiary’s name, address, bank details and a confirmation letter or receipt from the college.
  • A receipt proving that the course fees have been lodged towards an acknowledged student fees payment service.
  • In case the program fee is less than €6000, fees must be paid in totality to the college. In case the course fees are beyond €6000,this amount needs to be payed, that is  an Immigration requirement. However, the college you wish to attend may require full payment of fees.
  • Fees paid to the college are between the student and the college. However, In case of visa rejection, the college is liable to return the fee (minus certain admin. Charges), as soon as possible.
  • An IELTS requirement of 6.5 is a must. 
  • Ensure that document copies are kept safely.
  • If you are applying from China, India, Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom, kindly go through the Irish Embassy website for details of additional documentation that may be needed.

Finances

You must show proof t of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and cost of living expenses as well as that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland without depending on public funds, or take the option of employment. 

 In order to prove that you have access to sufficient funds, you will require –

  • Statement of your bank account that shows transactions of a minimum of six-month period prior to your visa application. Also, that has sufficient funds to cover your costs. 
  • Confirmation that you are have the credential of a scholarship

 Note: The minimum cost of living in Ireland for a student for an academic year is €7,000. You must prove that either you or the sponsor has ready access to the same amount each particular year for studies, apart from the course fees for those particular years. Where NON-EEA Students are studying for a period of less than 6 months the non-EEA Student must possess €500 per month of the stay or €3000 whichever is the minimal quotient.

Alternate proof of Finance – Degree Program Students

A pilot course has been recently introduced, that would allow degree program students to provide an option to bank statements as proof of finances.  The alternation is an “education bond” with a basic value of €7,000. The bond must be lodged to an approved student fees payment service (e.g. the electronic fee payment service offered by EduStep)

English requirements

During  application for your study visa, you will require to prove your  proficiency in English to a basic level of any course and visa offers depend on a particular level. Valid international certificates could be from either  IELTS and TOEFL.

Ireland program study – visa supporting documents are the following –

  • Proof  via a Letter of acceptance from a renowned university, accepting you for a full time course  along with 15 hours study time per week.
  • English language certificate, showing student’s capability of pursuing an English course.
  • Document / Receipt for payment  done towards the course fee.
  • Evidence such as Bank statements to show proof of enough funds to sustain through the years.
  • Medical insurance – Private.
  • An assurement letter to leave Ireland after on the expiry of the Student’s Visa.
  • Certificates to be produced for all academic qualifications as per university requirement.
  • Two latest colored passport sized photographs.
  • A signed application letter with full contact details.
  • Proof as to why there were lapses in education history of the candidate.
  • Current passport and copies of previous passports, if any.
  • In case there were any previous visa refusals.

Tuition fees for non-EU students

  • Undergraduate courses 9,000 – 45,000 EUR/year for undergraduate degree courses.
  • Postgraduate Master and PhD courses –  9,150 – 37,000 EUR/year.

Fees could vary based on the chosen field of study, program and university.

The most reasonable universities available in Ireland for EU/EEA students – 

are the following –

University of Limerick – average tuition fees 7,000-8,000 EUR/year

University College Cork – average tuition fees 6,500 EUR/year

Cork Institute of Technology – average tuition fees 3,500 EUR/year

St. Patrick’s College – average tuition fees 4,500 EUR/year

Dublin Business School – average tuition fees 8,300 EUR/year

Here is a list of average tuition fees at the highly accredited Irish universities:

Trinity College Dublin – average tuition fees 7,500 EUR/year

University College Dublin – average tuition fees 6,700 EUR/year

National University of Ireland, Galway – average tuition fees 6,000 EUR/year

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – average tuition fees 6,000 – 8,000 EUR/year

Normally, non-EU/EEA students will have to pay twice the tuition fee, charged to EU students.

Transportation costs

Students from Ireland have the advantage of concessions for transportation, if they use the Student Leap Card or the Bus Éireann services to travel across the country.

Checking on your visa status

  • You should apply as soon as possible for your visa as it normally takes about 2 months for it to be processed and at times may take longer..
  • online options to see if your visa has been processed (use your Visa Application Number). The  list is updated on a weekly basis.
  • Once your visa is approved, the Embassy to which the documents were sent to, will attach a visa to your passport.
  • If you are refused a visa you may appeal the decision within 2 months from the time of refusal.

Please Note: Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. Thus, you still have to apply for an Irish visa even if you have a visa for a Schengen country. 

General visa information

Visa for students can be submitted online once the online application process is completed,and being in sync with instructions for submission provided on the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Services website. Biometric information is mandatory for the application..