Ireland Study Visa
International students are increasingly choosing Ireland as their study abroad education. The government has made significant investments in its universities to create facilities that are really good for higher education. The universities use English as the primary language of instruction and overseas students can take advantage of the lower tuition fees and living expenses when compared to the UK.
Applying for an Irish student visa is necessary for international students from non -European nations who wish to study in Ireland. Students can only apply for an Ireland student visa after being accepted by the Irish university because the acceptance letter is needed for the visa process. In order to enter Ireland for the purpose of education Indian students must obtain a student visa. Continue reading the article to know how to apply for the Ireland student visa and its entire process.
1. Important updates on studying in Ireland
VFS global revises service fee 2022
Students will have to pay extra starting in July 2022 if they apply for an Ireland study visa through VFS global services. From INR 3,380 to INR 3,518 per application teh revised VFS global service fee has been renewed. For multiple entry visas the Ireland visa fee remains the same €100. There won’t be any extra fees for the students who are using centres scanning service. It is important for students to know that VFS global will not accept external devices like pen drives containing scanned documents. And also candidates must write the name of the university or college they are going to study on the signed AVATS summary sheet.
VFS global revises service fee 2021
Students will have to pay extra fees starting in June 2021 if they apply for an Ireland student visa through VFS global services. From INR 1,700 to the current INR 3,380 per application the revised global service fee has been raised. The cost of an Ireland visa for multiple entry remains the same at €100. There won;t be any extra fees if students are using the scanning service at the centre. It is important for the students to know that VFS global will not accept external devices such as pen drives containing scanned documents. Also on the signed AVATS summary sheet students must clearly write the name of the university or college they are going to study.
Vaccination guidelines for Indian students travelling to Ireland
Indian students who are studying abroad are required to stay in a hotel for a certain amount of time. After the second dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine has been administered for 15 days Indian students who have received the full course of vaccination will be deemed fully covered. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine which is administered seven days following the second dose and the moderna vaccine which is administered fourteen days following the second dose are other approved vaccinations.
However all vaccinated students must complete a fourteen days self quarantine period at their prearranged lodging and show a negative PCR test upon arrival taken no later than 72 hours prior to departure. For the fourteen days of quarantine candidates must be advised to make arrangements for lodging. Accommodations on campus or in hotels could be provided. Candidates must provide this information at the airport as Irish officials will need to confirm it.
2. Types of student visa in Ireland
In order to apply for a student visa in Ireland you need to visit the website Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to know more about the visa process and how to apply for a visa by visiting the AVATS online application facility. But generally students can apply for the C Study Visa or D Study Visa.
Ireland C study visa: This visa is reserved for study programs/courses lasting no more than 3 months. Candidates should apply for a visa that covers their entire stay in a foreign country because it is highly unlikely that they will be permitted to extend this type of visa.
Ireland D study visa: this visa is for study programs/courses that last longer than 3 months.
3. Ireland visa fee and charges
The table below will explain the fee charges for C and D study visas in Ireland.
Entry Type | Long stay D visa | Short stay C visa |
Single entry | €60 (INR: 5421.87) | € 60 (INR: 5421.87) |
Multi entry | €100 (INR: 9036.45) | € 100 (INR: 9036.45) |
Transit | €25 (INR: 2259.11) | N/A |
4. Applying for student visa in Ireland
Application guideline for applying Ireland student visa is mentioned below:
- Three months prior to your intended date of travel you must apply for the Ireland student visa. Before you confirm your travel plans we strongly advise you to wait for your visa to be received.
- As previously stated candidates must create online student applications via AVATS by visiting the Irish Immigration Service official website.
- The online application form must be filled by the students who are applying for visas. Next step is to print the completed application form and then sign it. After that candidates must schedule an appointment with the Visa Facilitation Service(VFS) and pay the Ireland Visa Application fee.
- After that applicants must obey the guidelines to collect the supporting documents and follow the instructions on the summary application form generated by the system. On the summary application sheet your application transaction number will be there. It is important you will need this later.
- In your email you will receive a payment receipt and appointment confirmation receipt as soon as you have finished the appointment booking and payment processes. Printing the receipts and bringing them to your appointment at the VFS or the Irish Embassy is required.
- Wait on your visa outcome.
Note: it is important for applicants to remember that giving false or misleading information will result in the instant cancellation of their visa application. In some circumstances, a five year ban from appealing the visa decision can also happen to the student who is applying.
5. Documents required to apply for student visa in Ireland
The following documents are required for those who are applying for the visa to the visa centre.
- Two passport size photos that are not more than 6 months old.
- Your current valid passport and also full copy of previous passports
- A signed letter of application including your full contact details
- Evidence according for any gaps in your educational history
- Evidence that you are enrolled on privately funded course
- Evidence fees have been paid to the college
- Evidence that you have academic ability to follow your chosen course
- Evidence of your level of English test
- Private medical insurance
- If any previous visa refusal evidence of that.
- An agreement mentioning that the applicants will return to the home country after finishing the course in Ireland.
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support while studying in Ireland.
Applicants must show at least €7,000 as evidence. This is the estimated cost for living in Ireland for one year. They also have to show that their sponsor has ready access to at least €7,000 for each year for the entire course duration. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months then they have to show € 500 per month of their stay or € 300.
6. Additional documents needed for those who are under 18 years
- Birth certificate
- Consent of the legal guardian
- Accommodation and vetting certificate
- Other family members have no right to travel with or join the student in the state.
7. Ireland student visa important updates
Every supporting document needs to be in English or it needs to have notarized translation needed and it must be original as well. Your submitted supporting documentation is crucial as it offers details about your individual situation.
8. Missing documents or copies
If any of the above mentioned documents are missing the visa application centre will not accept your application. Under such circumstances you will be able to submit the missing documents on the same day that the visa application centre suggests you. You can cancel the application or reschedule your appointment if you decide not to do so.
When submitting your application the visa application centre will point out any missing documents to you before accepting your supporting files. If these are not common supporting documents mentioned above you will have the chance to:
- Before processing your application, provide the missing documents on the same day.
- You can proceed with your application only if you certify the visa application centre informed you of the omission.
- Reschedule or cancel your appointment.
The visa application centre will notify if any original document is missing and also they will give an opportunity to submit the missing copies on the same day. You can use the photocopying services provided by the visa application centre but you need to pay an extra fee or else you can have the copies made from outside as well. You can also choose to cancel or reschedule the appointment.
9. Additional information
On your Ireland Student Visa application appointment date you are required to remember these important things:
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes early on the date of appointment
- Take all documents with you
- Collect a token when you reach the appointment centre. Wait until your token number is called to make your application.
- You will receive an acknowledgement receipt once your visa filing is completed.
10. Student visa processing time in Ireland
The processing time for student visas in Ireland vary depending on the country you submit your application. Usually the applicant will get a confirmation within 4 to 8 weeks from the date of application is lodged at the visa office/embassy/consulate.
10. Choose how to collect the documents you want
Select if you would rather receive your documents by mail or pick up the documents in person at the visa application centre.
