How to Apply for a Ireland Student Visa (Stamp 2 Student Permission (Long Stay D Visa))

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Choose an ILEP Course: Ensure your chosen full-time course is listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
2. Pay Tuition Fees: You must pay your tuition fees in full before applying (or at least €6,000 if the fees are higher).
3. Apply Online (AVATS): Complete the online visa application form via the AVATS facility.
4. Gather Documents & Submit: Print the summary sheet from AVATS. Follow the instructions on the summary sheet regarding where to submit your original supporting documents, passport, and photographs (often via a VFS Global center or local embassy).
5. Wait for Visa Approval: Check your application status online using your visa reference number. Do not purchase flight tickets until approved.
6. Travel and Register (IRP): Once in Ireland, you must book an appointment with the local immigration office (or Burgh Quay in Dublin) to register your presence and receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card with the "Stamp 2" permission.

Required Documents Checklist

• Valid Passport (valid for 12 months beyond your intended date of arrival).
• Letter of Acceptance from an ILEP-approved Irish college/university.
• Proof of Fee Payment (Electronic Transfer of Funds receipt from the college).
• Proof of Financial Capacity (bank statements covering 6 months).
• Evidence of Medical Insurance covering your stay.
• Educational Transcripts (Proof of academic ability to follow your chosen course).
• English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
• AVATS Summary Sheet (signed and dated) and two passport-sized color photos.

Financial Requirements (2024/2026 Guidelines)

You must prove that you have enough funds to support yourself in Ireland without recourse to public funds or casual labor.

• Required Amount: The official requirement for living expenses is €10,000 for your first year of study (increased from €7,000 in recent years).
• Tuition Fees: You must separately prove that tuition fees have been paid in full (or at least €6,000 if the fees exceed that).
• Accepted Evidence:
  • Original, up-to-date bank statements for the 6-month period immediately prior to your application.
  • If a sponsor (like a parent) is supporting you, they must provide a signed letter of sponsorship and their own 6 months of bank statements.
• Important: Sudden large deposits are not accepted; the money must have been in the account consistently.

Sponsorship Guidelines

• Who Can Sponsor: Usually limited to immediate family members.
• Requirements: A sponsor must provide a signed letter confirming they will cover your costs. They must also provide 6 months of bank statements and proof of a steady, reliable source of income (like an employer letter or recent tax returns) demonstrating they can easily afford the €10,000 plus their own living expenses.

Accompanying Family Members

• No Automatic Right: There is no automatic right for international students on a Stamp 2 visa to bring a spouse or children to Ireland.
• General Rule: Non-EEA students are not permitted to bring dependents with them.
• Exceptions: The only rare exceptions apply to certain PhD students or those enrolled in highly specific government-funded research programs.
• Future Reunification: Family reunification is generally only possible after you graduate, transition to a Stamp 1G (Post-Study Work) visa, and subsequently secure a qualifying Critical Skills Employment Permit.

Working While Studying

• Work Rights (Stamp 2): You are legally permitted to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during the academic term.
• During Breaks: You can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) only during specific standardized periods: from June 1st to September 30th, and from December 15th to January 15th.
• Post-Study Work (Stamp 1G): Graduates of Irish universities (NFQ Level 8 and above) can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G), allowing them to remain and work full-time in Ireland for 12 to 24 months.