Immigration and Health Insurance

Visa Application Process

Study Visa – Application Requirements and Guidelines

Study visa applications should contain the following documents. Please note the following list is not exhaustive and applications should be supported by all information considered relevant. You should submit any additional documents that you feel will assist the Visa Officer in making a decision on your application.

ONLINE APPLICATION

You must make your visa application on-line using the AVATS on-line facility, this Online Visa Application Facility is available worldwide and must be used by all applicants for an Irish Visa.

PERSONAL DOCUMENTS AND FEE

• Passport, valid for 12 months. Include 2 photocopies of the passport bio page. If you have held a previous passport, you must submit your previous passport with your application. 
• Signed summary of your online application form.
• 2 passport sized colour photos taken in the past six months that meet specifications.
• A signed letter of application outlining the nature and duration of your proposed stay in Ireland and must include your full contact details. 
• Original or notarised copy of applicant's family hukou with English translation.

Please contact your nearest Irish Embassy for information about applications fees by clicking here.

You can set up your ISD account before coming to Ireland. Then, once you’ve completed your university registration and have a Galway address, you can immediately book your IRP appointment.

Common technical issues that may occur when setting up your ISD account include regional internet restrictions, browser incompatibility and delays in identity verification. You are advised to use a desktop browser, a stable internet connection, and make sure your information matches your passport exactly.

For help with any issues, contact the ISD support team: immigrationportalsupport@justice.ie

COURSE OF STUDY

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:

1. This letter must name you (the applicant) and verify the title/ duration of the course.
2. It should also confirm the amount of fees payable for your course, and that this amount has been paid. (If availing of  the “education bond” facility please refer to further details below.)
3. Medical Insurance is required to register in Ireland (Link Medical Insurance to the Medical Insurance page)

    

   In addition to the Letter of Acceptance from the Irish university, college or school you must also submit:

• Evidence that you have the academic ability to follow your chosen course - You must provide evidence that you have attained the necessary level of academic achievement required to follow your chosen course. Such evidence will include – exam results, qualifications obtained and certificates proving your Level of English.
• You must submit all exam results obtained, along with your qualification certificates - If you have graduated from senior middle school, you must supply your original graduation certificate. If you have graduated from a 3rd level course then you need only supply your most recent graduation certificate.
• If you are currently studying, an original letter from your current place of study. This letter should include a contact name, address and phone number for the school, details of your course and its duration.
• Gaps in your educational history - You must provide information to account for any gaps between your last period of full time education and your application to study in Ireland. If any such gap in education has been filled by periods of employment, you must give full details of your employment history.

FINANCES

You must satisfy the Visa Officer that you can afford to complete your study plan. 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 should submit:

• A detailed statement of your and/or your sponsors' bank account(s) covering a six-month period immediately prior to your visa application, and showing sufficient funds to cover your costs. Evidence of savings or deposits held by you or your sponsor for a six-month period can also be submitted as evidence of finances.
• Please supply letters from your sponsor’s employer. The letter’s should be on company headed paper with the company's address and contact details. The letters should include the following:
  • Place of employment
  • Address of work unit / company
  • Type of business
  • Position held
  • Length of employment in this company
  • Annual salary including bonus
  • Contact phone number for employer

Note: The estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year is €10,000. You must demonstrate that you or your sponsor has ready access to an amount of at least €10,000 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 €700 per month of the stay or €4,200 whichever is the lesser.

You must list each person sponsoring you, and give clear details of their relationship to you. A notarised certificate confirming kinship should be provided. All evidence provided must be clearly identifiable as to whom it relates. Give clear details of the financial support they will be giving you for the duration of your stay in Ireland. Their bank account must show a good credit record for a minimum of six months immediately prior to making your application.

Your sponsor (s) will need to show that the amount of financial support they will be giving you is available AND that they have enough funds to maintain themselves and other family members.

Savings records should be consistent with the income of the applicant and his/ her sponsor. Any inconsistencies must be explained.

Any lump sum lodgements made during the immediate three months prior to your application must be fully explained, with supporting evidence provided. For example, if such a lump sum lodgement has come from the proceeds of a sale of property or encashment of Savings Certificates, Fixed Rate Deposit accounts, or any similar type sources, then clear evidence of this must be provided.

If your sponsor is involved in business, evidence of this must be provided, such as a Business License/ Certificate of Registration from the authorities in your country.

All bank statements should include the name of the account holder, and the account number. Handwritten entries or details on bank statements will not be accepted. Any documents not in English must accompanied by an translation. Bank statements and letters must show and include full contact details of the bank – name, full address of branch where account is held, telephone number (landline, not mobile), e-mail and website addresses (where available). Where this information is not normally available on a bank statement, it should be accompanied by a letter from the bank, on official bank stationery, giving these details. Where a bank statement or a letter from the bank is submitted giving only a mobile phone number, post box number as address, or an email address of Yahoo, Hotmail etc, this will not be considered as evidence of finances, and may in fact raise an issue of credibility over the whole application.

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 €10,000. The bond must be lodged to an approved student fees payment service (e.g. the electronic fee payment service offered by EduStep [formerly International Student Payments Service, ISPS])*

The bond must be held continuously from the initial visa application through to the time the student registers in Ireland with the immigration authorities.  This is to ensure that the necessary funds exist and are reserved for the personal use of the student. The bond will be cashable when the student arrives in Ireland or if for any reason the visa is refused or the student decides not to take up their place in the college.

A receipt showing that a bond has been paid by the applicant will generally be accepted by INIS as evidence of finances.  However, the applicant should be aware that they may also be asked to provide additional evidence of finances if that is considered necessary. Upon their arrival in the State the funds will be released to the student.

You can find out more information about the Education Bond here. 

NOTE : Students who participate in a bond payment scheme should note that this is a contractual arrangement between them and the bond service provider.  INIS is not a party to any contract entered into between a student and a bond service provider.  Students who are enrolled on the type of courses listed below are not obliged to participate in a bond payment system and may prefer to provide the normal evidence of finances as set out above.

Types of Courses and Colleges eligible for participation in the Student Bond System

Degree programme courses are defined as courses which lead to an award of

• Ordinary Bachelor Degree
• Honours Bachelor Degree
• Higher Diploma (after completion of an Honours Bachelor Degree)
• Postgraduate Diploma (after completion of an Honours Bachelor Degree)
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral degree

 The ‘award’ as set out above must be made by one of the following types of awarding body:

 A recognised Irish awarding body i.e.

• Dublin Institute of Technology
• Higher Education and Training Awards Council
• Institutes of Technology with delegated authority to make awards
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Universities
• Other bodies that have statutory powers under Irish law to make awards

Certain ‘awards’ offered by international universities which satisfy the above definition will also be regarded as Degree Programme courses. See document Internationalisation Register New Arrangements to Apply from 01 January 2011. Section 1 A (ii) and (iii) for further information available at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Internationalisation-Register-Criteria-01-01-11.pdf

* The Department of Justice and Equality is at all times willing to consider proposals from other providers of student fee payment services to have their services accepted for visa purposes

EVIDENCE OF PAYMENT OF FEES

Evidence that fees have been paid prior to the visa application being submitted to the Visa Office must be provided. These applications should contain either:

1.      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 the sender and a copy of a letter/receipt from the Irish College confirming that the fees have been received, or

2.      a valid receipt showing that the course fees have been lodged to an approved student fees payment service.  (e.g. the electronic fee payment service offered by EduStep [formerly International Student Payments Service, ISPS] )

Where the course fees are less than €6,000, fees must be paid in full to the college. Where the course fees are in excess of €6,000, you must pay at least this amount. If you are applying from India you must pay 50% of the programme fees. This minimum amount is an Immigration requirement. 

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 (less any small administration charge) within a reasonable period.

STANDARD OF ENGLISH

Except in the case of an application which is solely for an English language course, you must show that you have the capacity to fully partake in your chosen course through the medium of English and satisfy the Visa Officer in this regard.

It is recommended that all applicants, regardless of nationality or educational background, undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) English language test, and provide an original certificate with your Visa with application. Other acceptable certificates will be those from an internationally recognised test such as PTE Academic or Cambridge English Language Assessment. Any certificate must have been issued within 2 years of the expected commencement date of your course. Failure to provide such a certificate may result in delays in processing your application, and possible refusal of same. Submission of false or fraudulent certificates with your application will result in it being refused, and no appeal will be permitted.

Short-term Preparatory English Language Courses

If you have been accepted on a specific course of studies, but you need or are required, to complete a preparatory course of English prior to commencing your main course, the following requirements apply:

• English language course must be short term, and not exceed a maximum duration of 6 months
• You must submit a detailed study plan, including the duration and dates of your preliminary English course, and details and dates of your main course of study
• Fees for both the English preparatory course AND the first year of your main course must be paid in full to the college 

Students Under 18 Years of Age

Applicants who have not completed formal 2nd Level Education - if you are applying for a course of 2nd level educational studies, the requirements outlined above for preparatory English also apply.

Any person who wishes to pursue a 2nd Level Education in Ireland must be enrolled at a private fee-paying school or college.

In addition to the requirements outlined above, which apply to all students, applicants aged under 18 years must submit:

• English Language Requirement: IELTS – minimum overall band score of 4.
• Birth Certificate.
• Parental consent from both parents (where applicable) is required. Signed parental consent must be accompanied by copies of the consenting parents' passports or national identity cards showing the bearer's signature.
• Where only one parent has total custody, a Court Order bestowing sole custody of this child must be shown.
• Details of the person in whose care the minor shall be must be provided with the application.

The provisions of Part IVB of the Children Act 2001 will apply when examining such applications – see website: http://acts.oireachtas.ie/en.act.2001.0024.4.html

The granting of a visa to a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of study does not give any entitlement to any other family member to accompany or join the student in the State. 

NOTES

If you have been refused a visa for any other country, details of this must be given. Submit the original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country. Concealment of visa refusals will result in your Irish visa application being refused - You must provide full details of all visa applications you have made for any country, including Ireland. If you have ever been in Ireland before, whether legally or illegally, you must give details of your time there. Failure to disclose any of these details will result in your current application being refused.

You must provide details of any members of your family who are currently in Ireland or any other EU State.

The educational and other credentials of a college will be taken into consideration by the Department of Justice and Equality in reaching a decision on a visa application. Recognition by the Department of Education and Skills through ACELS meets these criteria in the case of English language schools. Please refer to the list of courses recognised by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland on its website: http://www.nqai.ie/internationalisation.html

If you are a national of a country outside the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland and come to Ireland to study for more than 90 days, you must register for an immigration permit with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice.

You should book your immigration appointment once you have arrived in Ireland and have completed your registration with the University of Galway.

To book an appointment to register your first-time immigration residence permission, you must create an Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) account on the Department of Justice Digital Contact Centre.

Please keep copies of all documents submitted with your application. Original documents such as saving deposit certificates, marriage/birth certificates will be returned to you. However, bank statements, letters of invitation etc will not be returned.

Please note that any document submitted in another language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.

You are required to provide a copy of all original documents

The provision of all the documentation listed in no way guarantees that a visa will be granted. Please do not purchase travel tickets prior to a decision being made on the visa application.  Doing so may lead to unnecessary additional costs in circumstances where a visa is not granted.

Before you complete your visa application please thoroughly read the information contained in General Information for all Visa types.

USEFUL LINKS
www.educationireland.ie A government website which has useful information relating to the Irish education system, third level institutions, courses, learning English and further links.

 www.acels.ie The Advisory Council for English Language Schools established under the auspices of the Irish Department of Education & Science to control standards in EFL schools. Contains the official list of schools and organisations recognised by the Department of Education & Science.

http://www.inis.gov.ie/ This site will help you to find government organisations or information by providing links, indices of recent publications and a search engine that searches all government sites. There is also general information about Ireland.

Immigration Registration - your IRP (Irish Residence Permit)

First-Time Immigration Registration (IRP) – University of Galway International Students

If you're a student from outside the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland and plan to study in Ireland for more than 90 days, you must register with the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

When to Book Your Appointment

• You can book your IRP registration appointment after:
• You arrive in Ireland
• You complete your registration with University of Galway
• You have a local Galway address (this is the address where your IRP card will be sent so please ensure you have the correct eircode).

How to Set Up Your ISD Account

• Go to the ISD Digital Contact Centre (https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/)
• Create an account using your passport details
• Wait 24 hours for identity verification

Note: Your appointment is linked to your account profile, so ensure all information is accurate.

Tip: Set Up Your ISD Account Before You Travel

You can set up your ISD account before coming to Ireland. Then, once you’ve completed your university registration and have a Galway address, you can immediately book your IRP appointment.

Common technical issues that may occur when setting up your ISD account include regional internet restrictions, browser incompatibility and delays in identity verification. You are advised to use a desktop browser, a stable internet connection, and make sure your information matches your passport exactly.

For help with any issues, contact the ISD support team: immigrationportalsupport@justice.ie

Where to Register

Registration Office, Department of Justice
13–14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70

What to Bring to Your Appointment

• Passport (or equivalent document)
• University registration statement showing your Galway address and Eircode
  (Download via University of Galway Student Registry
  https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-registry-helpdesk/)
• Proof of private health insurance
  (More info on student insurance options
  https://www.universityofgalway.ie/international-students/beforeyouarrive/healthinsurance/)
• Proof of finances (if you did not require a visa to enter Ireland):
• €10,000 for courses resulting in residence of greater than 8 months
• €833 per month or €6,665 (in total) for courses resulting in residence of 8 months or less.
• Printed copies of all supporting documents (No digital copies accepted)
• €300 registration fee (Card only — no cash, cheque, or contactless)

Missing documentation will require you to reschedule your appointment.

Need Help?

FAQs about IRP registration:
ISD FAQs
(https://www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs/registration/)
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/customer-service-portal-a-guide-to-using-the-online-self-service-portal/

Renewing Immigration Registration

Working in Ireland

Irish Tax

Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)

Family Reunification

Non-EEA students generally do not have the automatic right to bring family members (spouses, partners, or children) with them during their studies in Ireland. However, limited exceptions apply under specific conditions, managed carefully by Irish immigration authorities to avoid undue public costs.

Key Information

• Spouses and partners must apply for their own permission and cannot enter Ireland solely based on their relationship to a student.
• Students cannot be joined by children, except those born during their stay in Ireland.
• When applying for permission, students must confirm they do not intend to be joined by their dependents.

When Are Family Members Allowed to Join?

• Family reunification may be permitted if the student meets one of these criteria:
• Enrolled in a PhD program (NFQ Level 10) and making satisfactory academic progress, aiming to complete within 4 years.
• Participating in a government-agreed academic program between Ireland and another country that covers all expenses for both the student and dependents.
• Able to demonstrate sufficient private funds to fully support themselves and their family without working or relying on public funds; if children accompany the student, the government immigration levy for their education must be paid.
• Child is visiting short-term with clear evidence that they will return home at the end of the visit.

Important Conditions

• Proof of adequate funding for both the student and any accompanying family members is required.
• Students and dependents cannot claim social welfare benefits.
• Private medical insurance is mandatory for both students and their dependents.
• Failure to comply with these conditions can result in termination of immigration permission.

Further Information

For full details, visit the official Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) page:
 INIS Student Guidelines — New Immigration Regime for Full-Time non-EEA Students (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/)

Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service – Frequently Asked Questions

The INIS provides a Frequently Asked Questions page where valuable information pertaining to the immigration rules for students can be accessed.

Information available on this website includes:

• Student Guidelines - New Immigration Regime for Full Time non-EEA Students 
• Student Finances - Evidence of finance for all non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss Students from 1 April 2011

Accountancy Students: 

• Special Extension of Residence for Timed-Out Students from 1 October 2011 
• Notice of Final Extension of Residence for Timed-Out Students who first registered in Ireland between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2005

Banking

Opening a bank account in Ireland will help you manage your finances, receive wages or scholarships, and avoid costly international transaction fees. To open an Irish bank account with one of the main banks in Ireland, you will need to have an address in Ireland and have completed your online registration at University of Galway. 

General Advice

Open your account as soon as possible after arrival — it can take a few days for your debit card to arrive.

Avoid bringing large amounts of cash.

Use two-factor authentication and app alerts to keep your account secure.

Consider setting up mobile payments (Apple Pay or Google Pay) — most banks support it.

Bank of Ireland (BOI)

• Free student current account
• Offers a student overdraft facility
• Open via app or in a branch
• Branch available on campus on the Arts & Science Concourse

AIB (Allied Irish Bank)

• Free student current account
• Debit card included
• Online banking and mobile app
• Can open in person or via the app (with in-person ID verification)

Permanent TSB

• Student account with no maintenance fees
• Visa Debit Card
• Open in branch

Digital Banking

You may also consider opening a digital bank account such as Revolut, N26 or Money Jar before coming to Ireland. Many students use Revolut or N26 for everyday spending and international transfers, while maintaining a traditional Irish bank account for official needs.

Health Insurance

If you're a non-EU/EEA student, you must have private health insurance to meet Irish Immigration Service requirements for visa applications and immigration registration. The University of Galway does not arrange health insurance on your behalf, so it's your responsibility to arrange suitable cover for your time in Ireland.

You can purchase insurance from a provider in your home country (if it meets Irish immigration requirements) or choose from several Irish providers below:

VHI Healthcare

University of Galway has a dedicated group scheme with Vhi Healthcare (https://www.vhi.ie/internationalstudents), available to non-EU/EEA students enrolled in academic courses of 1 year or more.

• Discounted rate
• Immediate cover for new and pre-existing conditions
• Accepted for immigration purposes
• Watch their recent student webinar here (https://www.vhi.ie/video/webinar-international-students)

To join:

• Group Scheme Number: 93311
• Contact Vhi directly at +353 (0)56 775 3157
• Visit their international student page (https://www.vhi.ie/internationalstudents)

Irish Life Health

University of Galway also has a group scheme with Irish Life Health (https://www.irishlifehealth.ie), for students on 1+ year programmes.

• Discounted rate
• Immediate cover (no waiting period)
• Access the scheme via this link (https://member.mobilisations.irishlifehealth.ie)
• Group Scheme Number: 39557

Laya Healthcare

Laya Healthcare (https://www.layahealthcare.ie) also offers student health insurance. No specific University of Galway scheme is in place, but Laya plans are accepted for immigration.

Study & Protect

Study & Protect (https://www.studyandprotect.com) provides dedicated international student insurance with various plan options, depending on your needs and budget.

Cost and Coverage Differences:

Study and Protect plans tend to be more affordable because they focus on immigration support and may offer limited health coverage or a basic medical insurance component.

Other plans typically cost more but provide broader and more comprehensive health insurance coverage, which is especially important for students wanting extensive medical protection.

If your main priority is meeting immigration requirements and ensuring your student visa is protected, a Study and Protect plan can be a cost-effective choice.

If you want full, extensive health insurance coverage for a wide range of medical needs, VHI or Laya or Irish Life may be worth the extra cost.

Important:

• Ensure your policy is valid for the full duration of your stay in Ireland.
• Immigration authorities may ask for a letter of cover confirming the policy meets visa requirements.
• Always check your policy documents carefully before purchasing.

You can compare insurance plans and benefits using the Health Insurance Authority comparison tool (https://www.hia.ie)

For more information on health insurance requirements, visit:

Irish Immigration Service Delivery – Health Insurance Requirements (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/health-insurance-requirements/