Ireland Student Visa Requirements, Eligibility, Cost, Process & FAQs

Despite its difficulty, Ireland’s student visa success rate is sky-high. Ireland is a renowned study abroad destination due to its research capabilities. Irish universities need non-EU students to get a student visa. Your Irish study visa depends on your age, the type of study you want to do, and the length of your studies.

Starting an Irish student visa on schedule simplifies the process. Before applying for an Ireland study visa, you should know the types. This will help you choose the right one. This blog is your comprehensive guide to applying for a student visa Ireland from India, so keep reading.

Ireland Student Visa Updates

All international students willing to study in Ireland with an offer from an Irish higher education institution are welcomed to apply for their relevant Irish study visa.

• International higher education students have been exempted from the category ‘non-essential international travel’.
• International students travelling to Ireland no longer need to reflect a negative PCR test or show proof that they have been fully vaccinated with an Irish government recognized COVID-19 vaccine.

The government has also updated the website for appointment registration which usually was conducted offline previously.

Benefits of an Ireland Student Visa

An Ireland student visa is a special endorsement added to a government passport. This is issued to any student enrolled at recognized educational institutions across Ireland. An Irish study visa is a non-immigrant visa that does not require the holder to obtain Irish citizenship.

Hence, some of the Ireland student visa benefits are:

• Study in a recognized Irish university without any complications
• Get access to the world of Innovation and research in Ireland
• Avail yourself a chance of bagging great work opportunities and industrial exposure
• Stay and study in Ireland for the specified duration
• Take up casual employment of up to 20 hours of part-time work per week in term time or up to 40 hours per week during college Irish vacation periods.

Ireland Student Visa Eligibility

Any international student who has received an acceptance letter from a recognized Irish university is entitled to apply for a student visa in Ireland. The visa office will not accept any letter with incomplete steps or preliminary confirmation.

In order to apply for an Ireland student visa, you must also be able to pass English language competence exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and others.

Types of Student Visa in Ireland

The Ireland study visa differs as per your nationality. If you’re not based out of the EU or EEA, you need to apply for a visa to study in Ireland. There are two type of Ireland visa options:

• C-type study visa: for when your study program/course will last less than 3 months i.e. 90 days
• D-type study visa: for when your study program/course will last longer than 3 months.

So, it is clear that the type of visa you need to apply for will depend on the length of your degree. And accordingly, you can choose from the type of Ireland student visa as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance.

Ireland Study Visa Requirements

Ireland is unbinding when it comes to the requirements of D-type visas. It has a long list of requirements and is attentive to all of them.

Given below is the list of Ireland student visa requirements you must keep ready before applying for a student visa for Ireland:

• Valid passport
• Letter of Acceptance from recognized colleges/ universities in Ireland
• Proof of payment of the university registration and tuition fees
• Evidence accounting for any gaps in your educational history
• English Proficiency Scorecard of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
• Two recent colour passport-size photographs
• A signed letter of application including your full contact details (stating the reasons you want to study in Ireland)
• Copies of all academic transcripts
• Copies of all exam results
• Proof you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland (a minimum of EUR 7,000 to EUR 10,000 is suggested)
• Medical Insurance
• Commitment to leave Ireland on the expiry of your visa

Ireland Student Visa Cost

The Ireland study visa cost is considered to be quite reasonable. The Ireland study visa cost covers the cost of processing your application from start till the end. The Ireland study visa cost:

Currency

• Single Journey: 60 EUR
• Multi Journey: 100 EUR

NOTE: It should also be noted that this fee is non-refundable and will not be refunded even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

When to Apply for Ireland Student Visa

Before moving to Ireland, apply for an Irish study visa as soon as possible. Before you go, verify Ireland student visa updates. When you obtain the admission letter, you can start the visa application.

This will boost your chances of approval and provide you time to reapply if your visa is denied. Thus, an Ireland Student Visa should be applied for before 4-6 months.

How to Apply for Student Visa Ireland

You can apply for a study visa up to 6 months before your date of arrival in Ireland. Given below are the steps to apply for a student visa to study in Ireland:

• Visit the official website of INIS and apply for a visa that fits the duration of your program.
• Fill the application with all the true information.
• Take a note of your ‘Unique Visa Transaction Number’ and print the application form.
• Collect all the essential documents required(stated above) for an Ireland student visa.
• You may submit the application form either through mail or via post.

Ireland Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for an Ireland student visa is typically 4-8 weeks from the date of application. If you forget or need to re-submit any documents, your application will take longer. As a result, it’s important to ensure that you provide everything the first time. Though the success rate of Ireland student visas is excellent, it is always best to apply ahead of time to avoid the difficulties of Irish visa refusal.

Ireland Student Visa Interview

After applying, the interview comes last. An Ireland student visa does not require an interview. The application and documentation determine the requirement.

The Irish student visa interview will largely ensure you follow visa terms. It will also include leaving the country after the visa expires. Some queries may inquire why you want to study in Ireland.

After examining your application, the consular will decide if you need an interview and your visa.

Ireland Student Visa Success Rate

Ireland has a high student visa success rate compared to other European countries. The 1-4% Irish student visa refusal rate. This means the embassy will approve 94% of international student visa applications.

Ireland has an 89.6% global visa acceptance rate in 2019, meaning over 10% were rejected. Observing the guidelines can boost your visa application’s chances. You should be know that Covid-19 greatly affects visa and other document processing times. Always check the nearest INIS office for an Irish student visa.

FAQs

Are there any interviews for Ireland student visa?

• Few applicants are called for interviews at the Irish Visa Facilitation Service centre. However, it is not a mandatory step for an Ireland student visa.

Is IELTS required for Ireland Student Visa?

• Yes, IELTS or any other global English proficiency test like TOEFL are required for an Ireland student visa. A minimum of 6.0 band in IELTS would be required for an Irish student visa.

How much funds are required for an Ireland student visa?

• It is suggested to be able to show evidence of having at least EUR 7,000 to maintain yourself for the initial part of your stay.

Is an Irish student visa easy to get?

• Ireland authorities are mindful of its requirements. If those requirements are fulfilled by you, it is easy to get an Ireland student visa.