Student Immigration

The Irish entry visa application process can be summarised in the following simple steps:  

• Create your online application form via AVATS
• Print and sign your completed form; 
• Arrange your visa appointment with Visa Facilitation Service (VFS), if applicable.
• Compile your supporting documentation  
• Submit your documents based on the country-specific instructions on the printed AVATS form; 
• Pay your visa fee (country-specific);
• Await the visa application outcome.

Further information on how to apply is available on the Embassy website, while information on Irish student visa policy is available on the Irish immigration website.

Entry to Ireland, for any non-EEA citizen, visa or non-visa required, is determined by the Immigration Officer at border control and is based on the documentation presented at the time of arrival.

All relevant factors are taken into account, including but not limited to, the purpose of the stay and your ability to support yourself during your stay in Ireland.

Each application for entry to Ireland is assessed on its own merits. Therefore, we advise all our students coming from outside the EU to carry any relevant documentation with them for presentation to the Immigration Officer on arrival in Ireland.

When you land in Ireland, we recommend that you have the following documentation with you:

• Passport (with your valid student entry visa if you are a visa required national).
• UCD Offer Letter available in SISweb.
• Evidence of private medical health insurance with detailed coverage information.
• Evidence of tuition fees paid, scholarship or sponsorship details or US Financial Aid if applicable.
• Evidence that you have access to at least €4,500. 
• Accommodation details.

All documents presented should be originals and, if in a language other than English, accompanied by translation.

On approval, you will get a temporary immigration permission valid for up to 90 days stamped in your passport. You must register with the Irish Immigration Service within the timeframe stamped on your passport in order to obtain an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card which provides permission to remain in Ireland beyond the date stamped on your passport.

Please be aware that it is not possible to change to student status if you receive a tourist immigration stamp on arrival.

A new online Registration Renewal system is currently in place for Dublin-based students. This means all Dublin-based students looking to renew their registration will no longer have to book an appointment and attend the registration office in person. If you live outside Dublin you should contact your local immigration office to arrange a time to register. 

Prepare to renew online by registering through the INIS Online renewal application portal.

Please see the documents you must upload to the portal for the renewal of registration:

• Copy of Biometric page of your current valid passport(s)
• Copy of your current Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or 'IRP card'
• Proof that you are enrolled on a course of full time education (Certificate of Attendance available in SiSWeb). 
• Proof that you have paid UCD fees (you must be able to show you have paid at least €6,000. An online copy of your Fee Receipt (known as a Fee Statement) is available through SISWeb. This receipt is an accurate and official reflection of your fee account.
• To access your Fee Statement in SISWeb, navigate to Registration, Fees and Assessment > Programme Fees and Payments > Generate Statement.
• Proof of scholarship funding (if applicable)
• Proof that you have private medical insurance (you cannot use travel insurance)

A €300 fee applies to all renewals and this is paid online at the time of application.

Please make sure you have your correct address in SiSweb as it will be printed in your documents. Your new IRP card will be posted to the address you provide.

You can find further information about registration renewals on the Irish Immigration Service website and you can submit a query by emailing immigrationsupport@justice.ie