Visas & Immigration

As an international student, it is essential to check whether your country is visa-exempted for Ireland. If your country is listed as visa-exempted, you will not require a visa to enter Ireland for study purposes. For a complete list of visa-exempted countries, please visit the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service website: Visa-Exempted Countries.

If you require visa to begin your study in Ireland, you should apply for a long term study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland and your resumption date at TUS. Obtaining a study visa can take 6-12 weeks, so it is crucial to allow sufficient time when planning your admission date. Please note that it is the responsibility of students to arrange their visas.

Students should submit their visa applications using the AVATS facility at www.visas.inis.gov.ie. The application will only be processed when the online form is completed and the required documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant offices as indicated by the online system. There is a dedicated visa processing office in China, India, Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss students resident in these countries, please refer to your local Irish Embassy website for details of further documentation which may be required. You can find more detailed steps on applying for your student visa at the Citizens Information Ireland page. 

Irish Immigration Service Delivery has also provided a guide to help complete the application form and it is available in seven languages. Contact details for embassies can be found here: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies. You can check online for visa decisions using your visa application number at: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions.

Entry to Ireland, for any non-EEA citizen, visa or non-visa required, is determined by the Immigration Officer at border control and is based on the documentation presented at the time of arrival. we advise all our students coming from outside the EU to carry any relevant documentation with them for presentation to the Immigration Officer on arrival in Ireland. These include Passport (with your valid student entry visa if you are a visa required national), your Offer letter, proof of accommodation, evidence of private health insurance with detailed policy, your bank statements that shows you can support yourself while studying in Ireland.

On approval, you will get a temporary immigration permission valid for up to 90 days stamped in your passport. You must register with the Irish Immigration Service within the timeframe stamped on your passport in order to obtain an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card which provides permission to remain in Ireland beyond the date stamped on your passport.

International students that hold an immigration stamp 2 are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the university term. During the holiday period students can work on a full time basis – up to 40 hours per week. This means you can work for 20 hours per week during term time or full-time (up to 40 hours) during June, July, August and September and between 15th December and 15th January.

Please note that Stamp 2, 2A and 1G Graduate permission holders must not engage in any other business or trade therefore cannot be self employed.

If you are a citizen of country outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK (whether or not you need a visa), you must report to Immigration when you arrive Ireland and register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau after you arrive, even if you don’t need a visa. To find out what to do, visit – What do I need to do after arriving? – Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie) Each student is responsible for maintaining their own valid immigration registration and IRP card.

It should be noted that these immigration requirements may be subject to change, and incoming students should consult the INIS website for up-to-date information.

The Irish Graduate Permit Scheme allows eligible non-EU/EEA students who have completed their degree in Ireland to remain in the country and seek employment. This provides a valuable opportunity to gain work experience and further career prospects. Students who study a Level 8 Bachelors programme can stay up to 12 months after study while students who complete a Masters degree can stay up to 24 months after study, this is called the Stamp 1G Visa. For more information about the Irish Graduate Permit Scheme, visit the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service website: Irish Graduate Permit

Please note that you are only eligible to apply for the IG visa once you have received final and official results for your course.  A statement of final results can be obtained from the Office of Exams and Records. You would also need a private medical insurance for 12 months, your valid passport, proof of address and a payment of €300 by credit/debit card (cash not accepted). All students who have graduated will have to switch to the stamp 1G visa. You can apply at the Irish Immigration Website. 

It is important to note the following:
A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme once. 
Once a student has availed of the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme they are not permitted to re-enter full time education and to be registered as a student at the end of this period.

Please note: Graduates will be granted permission for twelve months initially. This will be renewed for a further period of twelve months where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that they have taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment (e.g. attendance at job interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies, etc.).