Over the years, Ireland has become one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations for students. Ireland houses some of the world’s leading universities, offering an extensive range of courses and opening excellent work opportunities. International students, who are from non-European nations like India, need to obtain a student visa to study in Ireland. So, let’s understand the type of visa students need, visa requirements to study in Ireland, and other interesting information through this guide.

Key Highlights

• Types of student visas for Ireland
• Ireland student visa requirements: Application process
• Documents required for Ireland study visa
• Ireland study visa processing time
• FAQs

Types of student visas for Ireland
Based on the course duration, international students need to apply for one of these visas:

• Short Stay “C” visa: The short stay “C” study visa allows you to study a program with a duration of 90 days (three months) or less. This visa does not allow students to work (unpaid or paid) of any kind.
• Long Stay “D” visa: The long stay “D” study visa allows you to undertake a study program for more than 3 months, i.e., 90 days. International students generally apply for a D study visa to pursue higher studies in Ireland.

 

Ireland student visa requirements: Application process
International students can apply for the visa online by taking the following steps:

• Visit the official website of the Irish Immigration Service and fill out the application form completely and accurately.
• Take a printout of the application form and attach the necessary set of documents.
• Sign the declaration mentioned on the application form.
• Submit the signed application form along with the required documents to the relevant Irish Embassy/Visa Office/Visa Application Centre. Pay a non-refundable visa fee of €60 (∼INR 5,445) for single entry (that allows you to travel to Ireland one time only during the visa validity period) and €100 (∼INR 9,075) for multi-entry (that allows you to travel to the country multiple times) while submitting the application form.

Kindly remember to provide your biometrics information (fingerprints and digital image of your face) as a part of the application process. Moreover, you may need to appear for a personal interview at the Ireland embassy though it is not mandatory.
Documents required for Ireland study visa
Submit the following documents with your application form while applying for the Ireland D study visa:

• A Letter of Acceptance from the university confirming your admission to a full-time course at an Irish university.
• A signed letter of application including your full name, postal address, a reason to visit Ireland, and tentative dates to arrive and leave the country.
• Valid reasons for gap/gaps in your academic journey
• Evidence of fee payment to the university (either a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds (ETF) to the Irish Bank of the college or a valid receipt of the course fee has been paid to an approved student fees payment service)
• Evidence showcasing your abilities to follow your chosen course (previous academic degrees and certificates)
• English language proficiency scores of standardised exams like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Two recent passport-sized colour photographs
• Current passport and full copies of all previous passports
• Medical insurance and its related details
• Previous visa refusals, if any
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your living while studying in Ireland

Pro-Tip: Kindly check Ireland’s official immigration website to get accurate information about the documents required to apply for a study visa.

Ireland student visa processing time
The processing time may vary from one country and visa office/Irish embassy to another. Generally, candidates can expect a decision within 8 weeks. The application may take longer time to process if you have submitted incomplete documents and/or inaccurate documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. How do you validate funds’ sufficiency for an Ireland study visa?
Ans. You must provide evidence that you have immediate access to €10,000 (∼INR 9,02, 000), which is the estimated cost of living in Ireland for one academic year.
Q.2. When should you apply for an Ireland study visa?
Ans. Apply for a study visa at least 3 months before travelling to Ireland.
Hopefully, with this information, you can easily plan your study abroad journey to Ireland. If education inflation is bothering you, opt for a study loan for abroad programs. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer customised study loans that cover the holistic cost of education, including tuition fees, cost of learning devices, accommodation expenses, and other related expenses. Get in touch with us to know about student loans in detail!