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Visa Guidance

What is the Visa?

A visa is a certificate in your passport and travel document that shows you’re authorised to land in a country.

Not everyone requires a visa but all non-EU nationals must comply with Immigration regulations.

Do I need to visa?

If you are from a country which is part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) & Switzerland, you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.
If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland, then you will need to check if you need a visa before travelling to Ireland.
If you need a visa, you must apply for your visa before travelling to Ireland. You must register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland in order to be issued with your student visa.
If you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland, you should still register with immigration and/or your embassy upon arrival.
When you complete the online application form, a staff member will contact you to help you complete the registration process. You will receive all the letters and supporting documentation required for a visa from the school. We will also guide you through the process of submitting & preparing your paperwork

Do I need a Visa to enter Ireland?

Important Notice for all non EEA Passport holders -Update 28 May 2019

EU citizens do not require a visa to travel to Ireland.
Visiting Students from the US do not require a student visa. They are however, required to register with Immigration in Cork.
Check if you need a visa at www.inis.gov.ie. Please note first time visa applicants are issued with single entry visas only. Multiple entry visas are only issued after registration with the University and after registration for long term residency in Ireland is granted.
If you require a visa please apply as soon as possible as processing times can be lengthy, typically 6-8 weeks, however may be longer depending on country of origin, peak season or other circumstances.
All non-EU citizens must register with Immigration for long term residency, even if you do not require a visa to travel to Ireland.

Entering Ireland

Everyone must clear through Immigration controls, at the port of entry/airport, to enter Ireland.

The Immigration Officer decides who is permitted to enter the country.

S/he will stamp your passport with short term permission to stay, normally for one month but up to 90 days. Please ensure your student status is recorded on entry as it is not possible to change status, for example from visitor to student, without exiting and re-entering the country.

Long term permission to reside in Ireland is obtained by registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) within the time limit stamped on the passport (please see the registering with Immigration to stay in Ireland section below for more information).

We recommend that you have the following documents ready to show the Immigration Officer.

Essential Documents

Your valid international passport

Entry visa (if applicable)

Your English Talks Acceptance Letter offering you a place on a full-time course

Recommended Documents

Evidence of tuition fees paid,

Financial Documents that you have funds available for living in Ireland

Proof of Address

Private medical health insurance, with a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment in an Irish hospital

Registering in Immigration to stay in Ireland

Why do I need to register with Immigration?

All non-EU students must register with Immigration to obtain long term permission to reside in Ireland.

An Irish Residence Permit card* is issued to students granted long term permission to live in Ireland.

Please remember that you are a guest in Ireland and the issuing of your Immigration/Residency/card is at the discretion of the Irish government.

*Irish Residence Permit (IRP) is in effect since December 2017. It was formally known as the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). It is the same process, the name has just changed.

When do I register with Immigration?

Students should register with Immigration before the Immigration date stamped in their passport, at port of entry/airport, expires.

Registration with Immigration Services must be renewed annually on or before date of expiry – failure to comply will incur severe penalties including possible deportation. Each student is responsible for maintaining their own valid immigration registration and valid GNIB card. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/irish-residence-permit

What do I need to register with Immigration for the first time?

IRP Form First Time Registration 2021/2

What do I need to do to renew my registration with Immigration each year?

IRP Form Renew Registration 2021/2

You must renew your registration at least 2 week period before the expiry date.

When do I get my Immigration IRP card?

After submitting documentation, if everything is in order, you will return to collect your IRP card approximately 2 weeks later. Do not travel outside of Ireland without this card in hand.

Where do I register with Immigration?

Cork City Immigration CorkCity.Immigration@garda.ie

Immigration Office Address
An Garda Síochána
Anglesea Street, Cork

Immigration Office Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
09.30 – 12.00 and
14.00 – 16.00 (GMT)