Ireland Student Visas

Ireland’s relatively new immigration and visa structure, largely created as a response to the rapid rise of immigration to Ireland over the last decade presents a comparatively uncomplicated system. Irish visas are far more straightforward than immigration systems in many other popular destinations such as Australia and the UK and as a result relocation to Ireland to work or study continues to be a popular option. Ireland has a wide range of educational institutions including universities and institutes of technology and the Irish study visa although a temporary visa, may lead to the opportunity to work towards permanent residency and ultimately, Irish citizenship.

Your Irish student visa application can be underway today with Global Visas. Just visit our online assessment area now to complete one of our assessment forms. A specialist Irish immigration consultant will contact you to discuss your requirements.

Irish Study Visa – Benefits

In Ireland, study visa applications can be submitted for either a ‘C’ or a ‘D’ class of visa, depending on the length of study. C visas cater for those who wish to study in Ireland for no longer than three months, whilst D visas are issued for any course of study which extends beyond three months.

An Irish study visa is issued as a temporary residence permit and does not specifically constitute a route to permanent residency. However, one of the key benefits of applying for an Irish study visa is that candidates may remain in Ireland through the graduate scheme, which grants graduates a six-month extension on their visa, during which time they may seek and obtain a job offer. If a candidate successful obtains an offer of employment from an Irish company they may apply for an Irish work permit or green card.

Students may also engage in limited work whilst in Ireland on a study permit. A candidate may work for up to 20 hours per week in order to supplement their income. However it is important to recognise that this income should not be included in the requirement that candidates must be able to support themselves and any dependents in Ireland. Applicants must be able to fulfil this requirement without any extra earnings accrued once in Ireland.

Applying for an Irish Study Visa

Like an Irish work permit application, the key requirement for a study visa is that the candidate has a sponsor in place. Student visa applications require an offer of a place on a course of study in Ireland. The course must be full time (at least 15 hours per week) and the offer must come from a recognised university or college. The letter of application must be submitted as part of the application and course fees must have been paid in full at the time of the application.

Although English is not the official first language of Ireland, candidates must nonetheless be proficient in English as in most cases this will be the language that courses of study in Ireland will be taught in. A candidate must have a sufficient grasp of English to enable them to complete their course.

The final requirement for student visa applicants is that all candidates must be able to support themselves financially whilst studying in Ireland. The main applicant must be able to support both him or herself and any dependents and although working in Ireland is permitted within the limitations outlined above, this should not be the basis of the candidate’s ability to meet this requirement. Sufficient funds must be available at the time of application.

Irish Student Visas – Dependents

Although Irish study visas are issued as a temporary visa they may lead to a candidate remaining in Ireland for several years, or even indefinitely. As a result the spouse or partner and/or dependent children may also relocate to Ireland for the same duration granted to the main applicants. Such dependents will be permitted to work in Ireland where the study visa is granted for one year or more.

Visit the Global Visas online assessment area today to find out whether you qualify for an Irish student permit and to get your application moving. Simply complete one of our assessment forms and a specialist Irish immigration consultant will contact you.