Ireland study
visa
Applying for an Irish student visa
allows a foreign national the opportunity to immigrate to Ireland
on a temporary basis in order to undertake a course of study in
the country.
Studying in Ireland is an increasingly
popular option for undergraduates across the world; Ireland offers
a long history of excellence in learning with nine universities,
fourteen institutes of technology and a host of other educational
establishments.
Immigration to Ireland has grown
significantly in recent years due in part to a comparatively liberal
immigration policy coupled with the high quality of life which
can be obtained in the country.
As a specialist immigration consultancy,
Global visas can help you to assess your eligibility and embark
upon the most appropriate method of immigrating to Ireland.
Visas of any type can be obtained
from a short-term Irish tourist visa to long-term work and business
visa services and our immigration consultants can provide immigration
lawyer expertise throughout your move.
Visa applications will be managed
and monitored at every stage and a Global visas migration consultant
will be able to advise you from your initial application through
to our range of on arrival services.
Visa Benefits
In Ireland, study visas allow their
holders to live and work in Ireland for as long as they need to
complete their course.
In Ireland, visas of this kind are issued as either a "C visa"
for those applicants whose courses will last less than three months
or "D visas" for those who wish to study in Ireland for longer
than three months.
Whilst in Ireland, study visa status is not in its own right a
route to permanent settlement in Ireland, the Graduate Programme
will in some circumstance enable students to switch to an Irish
work visa.
This may, in time, lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent
residence and naturalisation as an Irish citizen.
Ireland also permits foreign nationals studying in the country
to undertake a limited amount of work in order to help support
themselves and any dependents.
Visa Eligibility
In Ireland, immigration for candidates
wishing to apply for an Irish student visa requires that the following
criteria be met.
- A letter of acceptance must be provided demonstrating
that an applicant has been offered a place on a full time
course of study at a recognised Irish educational institution.
The course must involve at least fifteen hours of study per
week.
- Candidates must be able to demonstrate evidence
of enough funds to support themselves and any dependents joining
them in the country.
- It must be shown that the course fees have
been paid in full.
- Private medical insurance must be arranged
and documentary evidence of this must be provided.
- It must be the candidate's demonstrable intention
to return to their own country at the end of their period
of study.
In addition, although English is
described in the Irish constitution as the second official language,
the first being Irish Gaelic, it is nonetheless spoken far more
widely and is the primary language in which tuition will be given.
As a result, candidates applying for an Irish study visa must
be able to show proficiency in the English language to a sufficient
degree to allow them to successfully pursue the course.
Working
Successful applicants in possession
of an Irish study permit are permitted to work in Ireland part
time in order to supplement their income. Students may work part-time
up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.