Citizenship Ireland

Many students nowadays are looking to study in the UK and studying in Ireland has become a very popular choice for most foreign students. Ireland has a variety of well established educational institutions which include nine universities and fourteen technology institutions. There is no doubt that Ireland has a lot to offer its foreigner visitors. Generally Irish study visas are awarded as temporary under the Irish immigration service, however in some cases applicants with a study visa can apply towards permanent residency. Alternatively applicants may choose to apply for the Ireland graduate programme which can extend the candidates stay in Ireland and also allows them to seek employment under this visa.

Benefits Of The Irish Study Visa

Irish student visas are usually awarded to students according to the duration of their student course that said it is important that all applicants wishing to study in Ireland apply for the right visa that meet the duration of their course. There are two categories under Irelands study visas; they are the 'C visa', and the 'D visa'. The C visa is designed for students who will be studying in Ireland on a short-term course of less than three months; the D visa is for those who need to study in Ireland for three months or more. This is the reason applicants should be sure that they are applying for the right visa.

Although there certain routes that applicants under the student visa may apply to in order to live and work in the Ireland, study visas are not intended as a route to living and working in Ireland. However, they do permit candidates can work for a limited amount of hours in order to supplement their income. Students are allowed usually to work part time for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Under Ireland's immigration law, applicants are expected to be able to support themselves and any dependents during their time in Ireland and this must not be based on having to work once they arrive within the country.

There are benefits for studying in Ireland, applicants who hold the student can participate in graduate programs. The graduate scheme apply to all students who successfully obtain a higher qualification i.e. University from a bona fide Irish institution and allows the applicants to remain in Ireland for an additional six months during which time they may work full time. In the case where the applicant secures a position of employment they may be eligible to apply for the Irish work permit or by making a permanent resident car d application.

Irish Study Visa Requirements

Many countries have similar requirements when it comes to issuing study visas. The main requirement is usually to have a bona fide acceptance into the University of College of that country. This requirement applies to applicants applying for student visas in Ireland. Applicants must have an acceptance letter from an Irish university or college which proves that they have been awarded a place on a full time course at a recognised educational institution in Ireland. The course must comprise at least 15 hours of study per week and on top of that they must be able to show that the course fees have been paid in its full amount.

When applying for an Irish student visa, applicant must demonstrate a proficiency in English language. Officially, English is the second language of Ireland behind Gaelic; however, English is far more widely used and in most cases will be the language through which university studies are taught. This is why it is important for students to be able to communicate effectively in English as they will be taught in English.

Lastly, as in most students visa applications globally; applicants must be able to financially support themselves and any dependents. In Ireland candidates must be able to show that they have adequate medical insurance in place. As mentioned before the graduate scheme can be used as a route to settlement within Ireland. Candidate's dependents will be issued with temporary visas for Ireland. This is because applicants have to show intention of returning to their home countries once they have completed their studies, but as said before there are exceptions to the rule such as employment offers or applying for the graduate schemes that allow applicants to stay in the Ireland on a permanent base.

Family immigration Under Irish Student Visa

If applicants wish to have their family members with them during their studies in Ireland, they may be granted a temporary visa to stay with the main applicant for the duration of the main applicant's student visa in Ireland. Sometimes a study visa can be awarded indefinitely or for a period of several years i.e. students studying towards a PHD. If the applicant is awarded such a visa, their spouse or partner, and dependent children may also relocate to Ireland with them. Dependents will be permitted to work where the applicant's course has duration of more than one year.

Global Visas is an authority on immigration and visas and the largest immigration and visa agent in the UK. If you are thinking of studying in Ireland, let us help you make that first step. Take our online assessment and one of our Irish immigration specialists will be contact with you.