Immigration Information for International Students

Overview

 

 

There have been recent changes to the student visa process here in Ireland that we need to make you aware of, so please read the following information carefully.

We are no longer able to schedule group appointments for students at a local immigration office.  Now, all international students enrolled in programs lasting over 90 days need to schedule an individual appointment with the immigration office in Dublin to get their student visa.

You will need to make an appointment as soon as possible after landing in Ireland and receiving a passport stamp.

You should aim to schedule your appointment for a date as close as possible to the beginning of the academic year (from September 1).  If you are planning on joining the optional faculty-led trip to London (scheduled from Nov 11 -14), you would need to have your Immigration appointment scheduled by mid-October at the latest, to ensure your Registration card will be issued in time. As we don’t know the availability of appointments at the Dublin centre, we can allow for reasonable  flexibility with your class schedule.

Public transportation from Ballyvaughan to Dublin is limited if you hope to go to Dublin and back the same day. Should you need to stay overnight in either Dublin or Galway, we can recommend affordable hostels in either city.

Kinlay House Hostel Galway

Generator Dublin

The recommended window to schedule your appointment at the Immigration Service is between 1.30 – 2.45 pm. This will allow you to use public transportation to get back and forth to Ballyvaughan in the same day. The first bus (Bus Eireann 350) from Ballyvaughan to Galway leaves at 9:30am, arriving in Galway at 10:30 am at Ceannt Station.  The buses (City Link) to Dublin leave from the Galway Coach Station, which is a 2 minute walk from Ceannt Station.  There is a 10:45am bus from Galway to Dublin that will get you there at 1:15pm.  The Immigration office is only a 5 minute walk from the stop in Dublin City.  To get back in time to make the 6:00pm bus to Ballyvaughan, you will need to catch the 3:15pm bus from Dublin to Galway.  Links to the bus schedules can be found here:

Ballyvaughan-Galway: https://www.buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/350

Galway-Dublin – https://www.citylink.ie/media/s3uaanme/220856-citylink-a3-galway-to-dublin.pdf

Once you arrive, follow the directions below to book your appointment:

How to Schedule Your Immigration Appointment

 

If you’re a student from outside the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland and plan to study in Ireland for more than 90 days, you must register with the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

How to Set Up Your ISD Account

  • All students must register in person with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in Burgh Quay in Dublin.
  • Registration is by appointment only. 
  • We have linked the immigration website information on registering for the first time – here.
  • See below for the steps to make an appointment with immigration.

  Firstly you must set up a Customer Service Account* with immigration, and you will   need: 

o   A valid email address (you will be sent an email with a code needed to set up your account)

o   A mobile phone number (you will be sent a text message from immigration to verify the mobile phone number and download an app)

o   Your passport

 Here are the steps to create your Customer Service Account with immigration:

1.       Go on the Immigration web site to create / login to your Customer Service Account.

2.       Enter your email address and a verification code will be sent to your email address. Enter the verification code received.

3.       Enter your personal details – you must give your Irish Address.

4.       Create a new password (take a note of this password for future reference).Your mobile phone number needs to be verified. A verification code will be sent with a link to download the ID-Pal App.

5.       Log on the ID-Pal App to upload your passport and take a live picture of yourself.

6.       You must wait 24h to have your identity verified.

       Once verified you then Log in your account and book an appointment.

For more information on the ID Pal system used by immigration please see this article https://id-pal.my.site.com/FPXQLcNgusCbNeZzjG4gRb7JAMSmFxAGKJJkvYsj/s/article/Help-using-ID-Pal-as-part-of-your-Immigration-Service-Delivery-Website-Registration

If you have any issue with receiving the confirmation email, please, contact IDPalSupport@Justice.ie

Checklist for your appointment

 

Attend your appointment with the following documents:

First Time Registrations

  
  1. Your current valid passport.
  2. Proof of Irish address – For our study abroad students and postgraduates who are staying in our accommodation, the address is: The Lodge, Newtown, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare H91 AE1T. 

    For postgraduate students staying off-campus, you will need proof of address from your landlord (a letter confirming that you are staying there). If you need any assistance with this, please let us know.

  3. Your BCA acceptance letter.
  4. Proof that you have paid fees. This will be provide to you on campus at Registration, during Orientation week
  5. Proof of your scholarship funding (if applicable).
  6. Credit/Debit Card to pay fee of €300 (no cash)
  7. Private Medical Insurance with medical cover for accidents and medical incident including hospital stays in Ireland, valid for 12 months, or if less than 12 months for the duration of your stay.

(More info on student insurance options
https://www.universityofgalway.ie/international-students/beforeyouarrive/healthinsurance/)

  

Proof of Financial Support 

If you need a visa to come to Ireland, you do not need proof of finance after you arrive here. Your ability to support yourself on arrival in the State is checked during the visa application process.

However, if you did not need a visa to come to Ireland, you must prove that you can support yourself financially after you arrive here. You do this by showing at the time of arrival in the state that you have direct access to:

€10,000 (for MFA, MA, MPhil or PhD students) 

€833 per month or €6,665 (in total) for Study Abroad Undergraduates and Post Baccalureate courses resulting in residence of 8 months or less.

You can visit the immigration Information on Student Finances for further information.

Documentary evidence required:

  • An up-to-date bank statement, showing what money has been paid into and out of the account over the last six months. You must submit this whether you are covering the costs of your studies yourself or not
  • An up-to-date bank statement for each sponsor/parent (if applicable), showing what money has been paid into and out of the account over the last six months
  • Education bond or loan statement(if applicable)

Further requirements and information can be found on the immigration website here.

Missing documentation will require you to reschedule your appointment.

IRP Card Information

 

 

Your Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card is posted to you within 10/15 working days of your appointment. IRP cards are issued to students with a validity of 12-15 months depending on their course duration and expected graduation. 

Your Irish Residence Permit:

  • It shows your photograph and your personal details, the type of permit you or stamp you have and outlines how long you can stay in Ireland
  • Is for your personal use only, and you must always carry it with you and show it to the authorities if asked
  • Once your permit is valid you may leave Ireland and re-enter the State without the need for other immigration-related travel requirements, such as a visa. However, you must bring your IRP card with you when travelling.
  • It does not allow you to travel freely or live elsewhere in European Union or the European Economic Area. 
  • It is not an identity card, but it is an important document providing you have legal permissions to remain in Ireland.