If you are coming to Ireland for less than 3 months, you should apply for a short stay ‘C’ visa. You should apply for this type of

visa if you want to come to Ireland to attend a short course. You cannot stay for longer than 3 months on a ‘C’ visa. You must

leave Ireland and apply for another visa if you want to return.

If you want to come to Ireland for more than 3 months you can apply for a long stay ‘D’ visa (Stamp 2 or 2A permission). The visa application system selects your visa option based on your reason for travel. If you are granted a long stay ‘D’ visa and wish to remain in the State for longer than 3 months you must register and get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP). An Irish Residence Permit is a small wallet-sized card that shows you are legally in the State through the type of immigration permission you have, represented by a stamp number. Each stamp shows what you can do while you are here for example study and work.

Please note: Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. You will, therefore, still have to apply for an Irish visa even if you have a visa for a Schengen country. 

You must make your visa application online using the AVATS online facility. The online visa application facility is available worldwide and must be used by all applicants. Website: https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx

You must apply online for a visa. When you have completed the online application process, you must follow the instructions on the summary application form that is created by the online system. The summary form will contain information on where you are to submit your supporting documentation. The summary form, which you must print, sign, and date, must be submitted with your supporting documentation.

You will need to provide the following with your visa application (original documents are required and must be in English or accompanied by a notarized translation): 

• Letter of acceptance from a recognized school/college/university in Ireland confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study. This course of study must be full-time (lasting an academic year) and have a minimum of 15 hours per week study time.
• Evidence of your academic ability to pursue the chosen course through the English language (unless it is an English language course).
• Evidence that the fees for the course have been paid in full.
• Evidence that you have enough funds (€10,000) to maintain yourself for the initial part of your stay.
• Evidence that you have private medical insurance.
• An explanation of any gaps in your educational history.
• Confirmation that you intend to return to your country of permanent residence when you leave Ireland.

The standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are:

Entry and re-entry visas 

• A single journey visa costs €60 and will be valid for one entry to the State up to a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue.
• A multi journey visa costs €100 and will be valid for multiple entries to the State up to a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue.
• A transit visa costs €25. 

There may also be communications charges in some cases. Information about these charges, and on the fee in your local currency, is available from your local Irish embassy or consulate. 

• Students need to renew their immigration permission annually throughout their course of study. Upon graduation, students can apply for post-graduate permission, which allows them to stay in Ireland for work for a while.
• How to register your immigration permission for the first time

Mandatory Registration Fees (After Arrival)

• Inclusion Fee: €300 (paid by credit/debit card) to register your permission in Ireland.

For more detailed information about student visas and how to apply Coming to study in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery