Ireland Student Visa Requirements

Ireland is becoming a favored destination for Indian students due to rising rejection rates in Canada and the UK. In 2023, the number of Indian students in Ireland surged from 700 to 7000, a testament to the country’s appeal. It is known for its welcoming culture nurturing the young mind with creativity. The country’s low corporate tax rate of 12.5% has attracted global giants like Facebook, Barclays, and Microsoft, offering lucrative job opportunities for graduates. Ireland student visa cost is lower compared to other countries, making it a smart choice for students. Let's walk through the required documents to ensure your application is successful.

Every visa application process requires some information before it's granted to any individual. Since we're talking about students, there are specific documents you'll need before clicking on that submission button. Let’s go through every step, along with the process that will help you when you're applying for the visa. 

Age Requirement

The minimum age required for a visa application is above 18 years, it can also depend on the course you want to pursue. Some master's courses, such as MBA might require prior work experience before you apply.

Photographs

Photographs are important for traveling, as biometrics are not available always. Therefore, professional and clear photographs are required for the visa application. If there is a shadow or any other concern with the photographs, the visa application might be rejected. Here are some instructions to keep in mind during the photoshoot.

 

1. 
   Height should be 45-50mm, and width should be 35-38mm.
2. 
   The photo should include a close-up of your face close up and the top of your shoulders.
3. 
   Photos must be taken within the last six months and should look exactly similar to the image.
4. 
   Use a white or grey background.
5. 
   Have a neutral expression in the photograph.
6. 
   On the back of each photograph, write your name and visa application number, and don’t staple the photograph on the form.

Passport

You must carry and upload your passport during the visa application. Both old and new passport is needed at that time. The passports are checked to review your previous travel and frequency. Along with this, the validity of the passport should not be older than 10 years. 

Digi Locker Account

A DigiLocker account is needed as a storage of your identification proofs with KYC, helping in online verification. The account facilitates easy uploading and verification of documents, helping the immigration office to verify your previous history efficiently.

Educational Certificates

During the visa application, educational certificates are verified, as immigration officers allow students who contribute to their country. Thus, you need to have certificates with good scores meeting the eligibility criteria for the course you’re applying for. For a bachelor’s program, you need certificates of secondary education. For master's courses, you require a graduation degree, and in some majors, previous work experience may also be required.

English Proficiency

To apply for an Ireland study visa, you must take an English Proficiency Test. You need to get the English Proficiency Test to receive the Letter of Acceptance from the university. Achieving the required score is essential to meet the university's eligibility criteria for admission. The table below lists the minimum scores required to qualify for an Ireland study visa.

Proof of Funds

One of the most important parts of the application is providing proof of funds, where the interviewer verifies the finances. During the interview, they commonly use the term “Sponsor,” which refers to the person providing funds for your studies; they can be your parent, friend, or relative. They ensure that students have a sponsor who can support their stay in Ireland for 3-4 years. So, how do they verify your proof of funds? 

 

• 
  Fill out the Financial summary form

The Financial summary form includes your visa application number and passport details. The form provides a brief synopsis of your funds and source of income. You can also use this form to prepare the financial documents.

 

• 
  Bank Statements 

Bank statements provide information on immediate access to finances and verify funds' availability, including one-year tuition fees and living expenses. 

 

• 
  Consent Letter

The sponsor must sign a consent letter, with their Income Tax Return (ITR) copy attached.

Purpose of Travel

This letter should describe your purpose for travel. You should include your travel and future plans. Make sure to mention India somewhere in your future plans. It will emphasize your return thus, ensuring the interviewer that you will return once your visa expires. It is advisable to avoid using AI-generated content and a personal touch to the letter. Don't make any grammatical or punctuation errors. 

Letter of Acceptance

You need to provide a letter of acceptance before applying for the visa. This document confirms your acceptance into the university and states that study is the purpose of travel to Ireland. This letter also decides the monetary funds you require to study in Ireland. If you can't afford the tuition fee, look for an education loan. Want to know more about educational loans? Click here!

Proof of Payment of Fee

After receiving the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), the payment of a one-year tuition fee is required for Ireland study visa fees. You need to provide this to Higher Education Services (HES) with proof of this payment. The required documents are: 
 

1. 
   Acknowledgment Receipt: The receipt you receive from the university upon payment.
2. 
   Electronic Transfer of Funds (EFT) Receipt: This transactional receipt should include the sender's name, the recipient's name, and bank details.
    

These documents are used to verify the transaction and prevent potential scams, to ensure that the payment was correctly processed and received.

Receipt of Ireland Student Visa Cost

The student visa in Ireland cost can vary depending on the visa you apply for, but receipt of payment for visa application is consistent providing a payment receipt remains consistent. It must include the name and bank details of the account where the payment was made. Usually, an Ireland student visa costs around ₹5,620 for a single entry and ₹9,400 for multiple entry. 

Medical Certificate

A doctor-certified medical records are needed from the applicant at the time of visa application. If you are diagnosed with any infectious disease, the Irish immigration office can reject your visa application. Therefore, it’s advisable to obtain a medical certificate with reports from around 2 months before the visa application. Make sure to protect yourself from any illness at the time of your application.

Private Medical Insurance

Ireland study visa requires medical insurance, you need to get it before filling out the visa application. Medical insurance can be obtained from a private company, providing coverage of ₹23 lakh for accidents and illnesses. Alternatively, you can get it directly from the Group Insurance Scheme offered by the college. In this case, the letter of enrollment serves as proof of medical insurance.

 

 

 

Police Clearance Certificate

 

You may need to provide a police clearance certificate while applying for the visa. This certificate ensures that you have a clear criminal record and no ongoing legal cases against you. Usually, this procedure is followed to avoid visa granting to students who are using studies as an excuse to escape legal issues. 

Preparing all the documents is not enough to get approval for a visa application. Therefore, here are some tips you must consider before appearing for the visa interview:

Wear Clear and Ironed Clothes

It's best if you carry formal attire for the interview.

Carry Photocopies and Originals

Carry both photocopies and originals along with you to avoid any kind of chaos during the interview. Sometimes they scan the original documents and sometimes just keep the photocopies.

Bring Your AVATS Form

Bring the filled and self-attested AVATS form.

Visa Application Payment Receipt

Get the printout of the transaction showing that you have paid your visa application fee.

You now have a comprehensive guide of the documents you require for the Ireland study visa. However, Ireland student visa rejection rate is also very low compared to other countries, if you are still evaluating Ireland as an option, use our Ireland visa guide to assist you in the decision-making. For additional support, refer to our detailed step-by-step information on Ireland visa application.