Study In Ireland

Irish Student VISA

Any international student wishing to study in Ireland must possess any of the following visas:

C Type Study VISA: This VISA is issued for any program or course that lasts for less than 3 months.
D Type Study VISA: This VISA is issued for any program or course that lasts longer than 3 months.

How to Apply for Irish Student VISA

Apply online by filling an online application form on AVATS.
Download the completed application form and print and sign it for physical submission.
If you are a citizen of India, arrange for VISA appointment with VISA Facilitation Service (VFS).
Appear for the appointment at the VFS office with all requisite documents.
Pay your VISA fee while booking an appointment with the VFS or via a bank draft.
Wait for the VISA outcome, which generally takes eight weeks to process.

Documents Required for Irish Student VISA

Post Study Work VISA

Students from non-EEA/EU countries can take advantage of Third Level Graduate Program to continue living in Ireland after their study VISA expires. This scheme allows them to seek employment in the country or to apply for a green card. In order to qualify for this scheme, a graduate must:

Have graduated from an Irish university with a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degree and can submit proof of the same.
Possess Stamp 2 student immigration permission.
Not exceed the seven-year limit of stay in the state as a non-EEA national student.
Not access the program on two separate occasions.
Comply with the laws of the state and possess good character.

The following is the permitted duration of the stay under the program. This duration is decided as per the degree completed by the graduate.

Level of Education	Post Study Work Permit Duration
Level 10 – Doctoral Degree	24 months
Level 9 – PG Diploma/Master’s Degree	24 months
Level 8 – Honors Bachelor’s Degree	12 months
Level 7 – Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree	6 months

Under this scheme, the graduates can work up to 40 hours a week. If a non-EEA/EU graduate wishes to work more than 40 hours then they must seek any of the following relevant work permits:

General Employment Permit: A student can apply for this type of permit on receiving a job offer from an employer registered with the Revenue Commissioners and Companies Registration Office. The job offer must assure an annual remuneration of at least €30,000 or €27,000 to a graduate who has completed the studies from an Irish third level institution.
The permit is generally granted for two years, and the graduate can renew it for another three years, totaling five years. Once the permit expires, an individual can apply for long-term residence in Ireland.

Critical Skills Employment Permit: A student can apply for this type of permit if the role they have been offered features on the Critical Skills Occupations List. Like General Employment Permit, this permit also requires an individual to earn a minimum annual base remuneration of €32,000 for a number of important occupations in the Critical Skills Occupations List and €64,000 for all other occupations except those on the Ineligible Occupations List. To be awarded the permit, the individual must confirm the two-year job.

Research Hosting/Agreement: This allows non-EEA students to work in the country for a minimum period of three months as a researcher. No work permit is needed if the student opts for this agreement. To qualify, the student must be earning €23,181 per annum.