How Do I Apply for an Irish Study Visa

All Non-EU students are required to apply for a student visa before travelling to Ireland, so I have started preparing visa application after I received an unconditional offer from College within one month.

The first step is to book appointment for my study visa before flying out. I booked myself appointment on AVATS following the instructions on the website, and the system will generate an booking confirmation email sent to your registered email.

The second step is to prepare required documents for my study visa appointment, general required documents are as follows, however it might be slight different depending on which region are you from.

1. Passport: Original copy

2. Photos: 2 copies of passport-sized colour photos

3. Application Index: download from the application online

4. VFS Appoint Confirmation Letter

5. English Language Skill Proof

6. Unconditional Offer of a place on a course

7. Proof of Fee Payment

8. Proof of Finances

9. Proof of Medical Insurance

10. Personal Statement

11. Academic Transcripts

12. Printed and signed summary sheet

13. Two copies of all original copies

With regards to the insurance, I have purchased my own from Protect&Study, which is quite handy that I just fill in my education information and basic information and the insurance will issue a bill and send to my email address straightway.

The final step is go for the visa appointment. I have to present myself for biometric information record, and the process is easy:

1. Bring your original passport and required documents(as listed above)

2. Queue to get my number

3. Record biometrics

4. Hand in all documents

5. Pay the visa fee(100 euro)

After one month or so, I finally received my study visa. What a relief! I have to check the visa decision update on the website to keep updated, sometimes during summer holiday it took a longer time as so many people are applying for visa, especially study visa. So make sure you will arrange your application in time, so you don’t have to worry and wait so long.

When I landed in Ireland, the custom officer asked some routine questions, such as: what’s the purpose of my travel? and some proof of my study in Ireland, so I have shown them my unconditional offer. The immigration officer stamped my passport and wished me good luck with my new life in Ireland.

I am required to report at local immigration officer within 3 months upon the day of arrival. I waited for further notice from college(outside of Dublin), and I also contacted the International Office in the college to have a better understand when and how will the process will take in place. I will need to email my personal details to the local immigrations officer using college email to register my IRP( Irish Resident Permit) as my first education in Ireland was not in Dublin. Though I applied on my visa online for my latest education, the required documents are the same for both online and email application:

· Original copy of passport

· Medical Insurance Proof

· Original letter from college to confirm you are a registered student and school fees are paid

Once I finished this, I collected my IRP card and enjoy my brand new life in Ireland.