Step By Step Process to Study in Ireland
As an international student seeking to study in Ireland for a program longer than three months, you need to apply for a Long Stay Study Visa. To apply for a study visa in Ireland, you need to have:
- Letter of acceptance for an approved institution
- Paid your fees (or fee deposit of up to 6,000 euros)
There are specific requirements/ conditions an international student must fulfill before applying for an Irish study visa. Firstly, the student must have been accepted for a full time.
Step by Step Guide to Applying for your Visa
As soon as you accept your offer of studies from an approved institution, you must pay your deposit/ full tuition and begin your visa application process. You can apply for an Irish study visa up to three (3) months before your program start date. After ensuring all your required documents are available and up to date, you can begin the application process for your Irish study visa.
- The first thing to do is to fill your visa application form.
Note: that any and every information stated on your visa application form must be true and verifiable. Giving false information will lead to a visa refusal and may not be eligible for a decision appeal.
- When applying, you will be given a unique application number. This number is usually eight digits long and is VERY important as you will need to log on to your application page for the next 30 days or till the visa is granted.
- You will also be asked to provide your biometrics information.
Country Specific Biometric Centre
Nigerian students applying for an Irish study visa are required to provide their biometric information at a designated pre approved center. Nigerian students can book your biometric appointment on the VFS Global website. VFS Global only has centers in Lagos and Abuja, students from other regions will be required to visit the centers closest to them (either Lagos or Abuja).
For your appointment, you are to bring your completed visa application form, international passport, all supporting documents, email confirmation of your appointment and the receipt of any additional services paid for. You can also track the status of your application on the VFS Global site.
What to do on arrival as an International Student in Ireland:
It is required for international students to register their immigration permission upon arrival. To register, you will need the same documents provided during your visa application. If you area resident in counties Dublin, Kildare Meath or Wicklow, you will receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within approximately 10-15 working days of processing your application.
If you are attending a registration office outside of the above mentioned counties, the Immigration Officer will advise you how you will receive your IRP card. The registration will be for one year and will be renewable on an annual basis, up to a maximum of 7 years. There is currently a charge of €300 each time you register or renew an immigration permission.
Can I Work while Studying in Ireland?
International students on immigration Stamp 2 permission and enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the ILEP, have been afforded the opportunity to work. This allows international Students to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term-time international students can work up to 20 hours per week and during normal college holidays Students can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.
Note: Students registered with Stamp 2A permission are not permitted to work. Working Students will also be required to comply with the Universal Social Contribution, Pay Related Social Insurance, employment laws and taxation requirements.
What happens after Completing Study in Ireland?
After you complete your studies you may choose to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment under the Irish Third Level Graduate Programme. This scheme exists to allow legally resident (international students with Ireland Residence Permit) third level graduates to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a work permit. During this period, you can work for up to 40 hours per week.
Requirements:
- Students must hold a current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card,
- You must apply within six months of being notified by the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student.
Eligible students will be granted a Stamp 1G immigration permission. As an international student/graduate, your permission to work is granted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
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