So you are planning to study in Ireland and don’t know how to start? This article is for you. Here is a
step by step on ow to apply for a Student Visa in Ireland.
STEPS
Step 1 – Choose your College Course and Programme
Get as much information as you can, research online, talk to students that are already there, narrow
down your choices and contact colleges to ask for details.
Step 2 – Applying for a Course
After researching for your options, carefully consider all the information, ensure your academic and
English standards meet the requirements and provide all the relevant documentation.
Step 3 – Confirming a Place
If you are offered a place, Congratulations! You will be asked to send the admission fee. Please do it
as soon as possible to secure your place.
Step 4 – Booking Accommodation
Now is time for think about the practical aspects of living in Ireland. Contact the accommodation
office to help decide where is best for you to live.
Step 5 – Get your Passport
Be sure to get your passport as soon as possible. If you have one check it is ready. If it will expire in
less than 12 months, get a new one.
Step 6 – Apply for your student visa
Check the immigration and visa regulations and apply online for your student visa. We will give you
more details about this further ahead.
Step 7 – Pack your bags and board to Ireland.
Now it’s time to make your dream come true. Pack bags and jump into this incredible experience.
PREPARING YOUR STUDENT VISA APPLICATION
You must make your visa application on-line using the AVATS on-line facility , the online visa
application facility is available worldwide and must be used by all applicants.
Your application will only be processed when the on-line form is completed AND the required
documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant office as
indicated by the on-line system.
You should read the visa application details very carefully. If you do not provide the documentation
required, your visa can be refused.
Some points for you to note. When making an application you must:
Complete the online application form
Check the Irish Embassy details where your documentation is to be sent
Provide a passport sized photo
Ensure your passport is valid for 12 months
Pay the application fee
Provide a signed letter of application which explains why you require the visa
A Letter of Acceptance from the Irish university, college or school, confirming you have been
accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education, involving a minimum of 15 hours
organised daytime tuition each week.
This letter must name you (the applicant) and verify the title/duration of the course
It should also confirm the amount of fees payable for your course, and that this amount has been
paid.
If the college has taken out medical insurance on your behalf, details of this must be contained in
this letter of acceptance. If it is not arranged by the college, you must organise this yourself and
provide evidence with your application.
EVIDENCE OF PAYMENT OF FEES
Evidence that all fees have been paid prior to the visa application being submitted. These
applications should contain either
A copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds from the applicant to the Irish Bank of the college, showing
details of the beneficiary's name, address, bank details and the same details for sender and a copy of
a letter/receipt from the Irish college confirming that the fee has bee received or
A valid receipt showing that the course fees have been lodged to an approved student fees payment
service.
Where the course fees are less than €6000 fees must be paid in full to the college. Where the course
fees are in excess of €6000, you must pay at least this amount. The minimum amount is an
Immigration requirement. However, the college you wish to attend may require full payment of fees.
Fees paid to the college are a matter between the student and the college. However, in the event of
the visa application being refused the college should refund the fee ( minus any small administration
charge) within a reasonable period.
Show evidence of language proficiency, you must show that you have the capacity to fully partake in
your chosen course through the medium of English. INIS requires IELTS of 5 but most Irish
universities and colleges generally require IELTS of 6.5
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED
If you are applying from China, India, Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom,
please also check the Irish Embassy website for details of further documentation which may be
required.
FINANCES
You must provide evidence that you have access to sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and
cost of living expenses. You must show you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland
without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment. In order to provide
evidence of access to sufficient finances you will need:
A detailed statement of your bank account covering a six-month period immediately prior to your
visa application, and showing sufficient funds to cover your costs.
FINANCESPRODUCE OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE IN RECEIPT OF A SCHOLARSHIP
Note: The estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year is €7,000. You must
demonstrate that you or your sponsor has ready access to an amount of at least €7,000 for each
year of your studies, in addition to the course fees for each of those years. Where NON-EEA Students
are studying for a period of less than 6 months the non-EEA Student must have access to €500 per
month of the stay or €3000 whichever is the lesser.
Alternative Evidence of Finance – Degree Programme Students
A pilot programme has now been introduced that would allow degree programme students to
provide an alternative to bank statements as a method of proof of finances. The alternative method
is an "education bond" with a minimum value of €7,000. The bond must be lodged to an approved
student fees payment service (e.g. the electronic fee payment service offered by EduStep )
CHECKING ON YOUR VISA STATUS
You should apply as early as possible for your visa as it normally takes eight weeks for it to be
processed but in busy periods it may take longer than this.
You can check online to see if your visa has been processed (using your Visa Application Number).
This list is updated weekly.
If you get approval for a visa, the Embassy to which you sent your documents will affix a visa to your
passport.
Information source: www.educationinireland.com