Students from countries that require an Irish visa and who intend to study in Ireland for more than 90 days generally need a Long Stay ‘D’ Study Visa. Students should first secure admission to an eligible programme and then complete the appropriate visa process.

For study programmes longer than 90 days, the selected programme must meet Ireland’s applicable eligibility requirements. Current Irish immigration guidance refers students to the eligible-programme framework and TrustEd Ireland providers.

Ireland Student Visa Process

Step 1 – Receive Admission

Obtain an official letter of acceptance from an eligible Irish institution.

Step 2 – Confirm Fee Payment

Irish immigration guidance states that where course fees are less than €6,000, the fees must be paid in full before applying for the visa.

Where fees are more than €6,000, at least €6,000 must generally be paid before the visa application, unless the institution requires a different payment arrangement.

Step 3 – Prepare Financial Evidence

Demonstrate sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland.

Step 4 – Complete Online Visa Application

Complete the relevant application through Ireland’s official visa application system.

Step 5 – Submit Documents

Submit the required supporting documents according to the instructions generated for your application.

Step 6 – Visa Decision

The Irish immigration authorities assess the application and issue a decision.

Step 7 – Travel to Ireland

After receiving the visa, arrange travel and prepare for arrival.

Step 8 – Register Immigration Permission

Students staying in Ireland for more than 90 days must complete the applicable immigration registration after arrival.

Student Visa Financial Requirements

For visa-required students undertaking a course of more than eight months, Ireland currently requires evidence of immediate access to at least €10,000 for one academic year.

Students must also demonstrate access to at least €10,000 for each subsequent year, in addition to tuition fees.

For courses resulting in a stay of eight months or less, the requirement is generally:

€833 per month, or €6,665 in total, whichever is lower.

Financial Evidence May Include

• • Bank statements
  • Sponsor financial documents
  • Education loan documentation
  • Scholarship evidence
  • Other permitted financial evidence

The Irish authorities require documentary evidence of finances, and bank statements generally need to show transaction history.

Important

The €10,000 immigration financial requirement should not be treated as the complete cost of studying in Ireland. Students must separately budget for tuition, accommodation, travel and other expenses.

Ireland Student Visa Fee

The standard Irish visa fees are currently:

• • €60 – Single entry
  • €100 – Multiple entry
  • €25 – Transit visa

Additional service or consular charges may apply depending on where the application is submitted.

Work Opportunities During Study

Eligible non-EEA students holding Stamp 2 permission can generally work:

During Term Time: Up to 20 hours per week

During Specified Holiday Periods: Up to 40 hours per week

The specified periods include:

• • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • 15 December to 15 January

These work rights are subject to the conditions of the student’s immigration permission.

Potential Student Jobs

Depending on availability, skills and eligibility, students may find work in:

• • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Restaurants
  • Customer service
  • Administration
  • Campus roles
  • Tutoring
  • Other part-time positions

Students should not rely on part-time employment as their primary means of funding their studies because immigration rules require them to demonstrate sufficient finances independently.

Post-Study Work Opportunities

Ireland’s Third Level Graduate Programme provides an opportunity for eligible non-EEA graduates to remain in Ireland after completing an eligible Irish qualification and seek graduate-level employment.

Level 8 Graduates

Graduates with an eligible NFQ Level 8 qualification may receive up to: 12 months on Stamp 1G subject to the programme’s conditions.

Level 9 or Above

Graduates with an eligible NFQ Level 9 or higher qualification may receive up to: 24 months generally in two 12-month periods, subject to the relevant conditions.

What Can Graduates Do?

The graduate permission is intended to allow eligible graduates to:

• • Seek graduate-level employment
  • Apply for an employment permit
  • Explore suitable career opportunities
  • Transition to an appropriate employment-based immigration status

Stamp 1G permits full-time employment in accordance with employment law, but graduates cannot operate a business or be self-employed under this permission.

From Study to Employment

A typical pathway may look like:

Study in Ireland → Graduate Permission → Graduate-Level Employment → Employment Permit → Longer-Term Residence

The exact route depends on the graduate’s qualification, occupation, salary, employer and immigration status.

A graduate should secure an appropriate employment permit or other qualifying immigration permission if they wish to remain in Ireland after their graduate permission expires.

Permanent Residence & Long-Term Settlement

Studying in Ireland does not automatically lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

Students who wish to remain in Ireland long term must qualify under the relevant immigration route.

Depending on the individual’s circumstances, this may involve:

• • Employment permit
  • Critical Skills Employment Permit
  • General Employment Permit
  • Other qualifying residence permissions
  • Long-term residence routes where applicable

Eligibility depends on the individual’s employment, residence history and the immigration rules in force at the time.