In short: To study in Ireland as an international student you apply for: Long term study visa (D). Online AVATS form, then documents and fee go to the visa office, embassy or consulate named on the summary form. Visa fees: single entry €60, multi entry €100. About 8 weeks from receipt at the visa office, embassy or consulate; longer if documents are missing or need verifying. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 6 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Long term study visa (D) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 60 (irishimmigration.ie) |
| Money to show | EUR 10,000 per year of study (irishimmigration.ie) |
| Processing time | About 8 weeks from receipt at the visa office, embassy or consulate; longer if documents are missing or need verifying. (irishimmigration.ie) |
| Where you apply | Online AVATS form, then documents and fee go to the visa office, embassy or consulate named on the summary form. (irishimmigration.ie) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Immigration Service Delivery (Department of Justice). Official portal: Irish Immigration Service.
Letter of acceptance confirming full-time enrolment (minimum 15 hours daytime tuition weekly), course details, fees payable and fees paid.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Fees under €6,000 must be paid in full before applying; above €6,000, at least €6,000 must be paid, shown by ETF receipt or approved payment service.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Access to €10,000 for a one-year course, and the same for each later year. Stays of 6-8 months: €833 per month. Six months of bank statements required.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Visa fees: single entry €60, multi entry €100. Payment methods, currency and extra charges (e.g. consular fees) vary by office.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | EUR 60 | Visa fees: single entry €60, multi entry €100. Payment methods, currency and extra charges (e.g. consular fees) vary by office. | irishimmigration.ie, 15 September 2026 |
Online AVATS form, then documents and fee go to the visa office, embassy or consulate named on the summary form. Apply from home country or legal residence.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Create the long term study visa application online in AVATS, then print, sign and send the Summary Application Form with your supporting documents to the application office it names.
AVATS (Automated Visa Application and Tracking System): visas.inis.gov.ie · form: AVATS online visa application (Study, long stay D)
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
The Application Summary Form produced by AVATS tells you how to pay the visa fee; payment methods and currency can differ between application offices.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
For applications sent to the Dublin Visa Office, decisions are published every Tuesday and you search the list by your visa application number; other offices give updates directly.
Official tracking page: irishimmigration.ie
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Applicants can expect a decision within about 8 weeks from the date the visa office, embassy or consulate received the application, longer if documents are missing or need checking.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
If approved, an Irish visa is placed in a blank page of your passport and the passport and certain original documents are returned by post; if refused you get a Letter of Refusal.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
The visa office may contact you to ask for more information or documents, and missing documents can delay the decision.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
About 8 weeks from receipt at the visa office, embassy or consulate; longer if documents are missing or need verifying.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Biometrics are required only in some cases; the application office confirms whether and how to provide them.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Private medical insurance is required. First-year travel insurance may suffice only if it covers at least €25,000 accident and €25,000 disease plus hospitalisation.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
No medical exam or TB test is listed among the long term study visa documents.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Not listed for adult applicants; Garda clearance applies only to certain unaccompanied under-18 students' accommodation.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
For visa purposes, most courses need at least IELTS Academic 5.0 (or listed equivalent); the certificate must be issued within 2 years of course start.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Any document not in English or Irish must come with a full certified translation. Originals are required; photocopies are not accepted unless stated.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
No apostille rule is stated. Online bank printouts need each page notarised by the bank; the visa office may send passports for official authentication.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Up to 20 hours weekly in term; 40 hours in June-September and 15 December-15 January. A post-study Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) exists.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Students are typically not permitted to bring family members, except in very exceptional circumstances.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
Register your immigration permission to stay more than 90 days; the fee is €300 and proof of medical insurance is checked.
Source: irishimmigration.ie · checked on
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Ireland, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/ie.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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