Avoid Application Delays: A Clear Guide to Ireland Student Visa Checklist

To be eligible for an Irish visa, you must ensure that you have all your documents. It is advisable to have all necessary documents, including academic transcripts, language certificates, and financial records. Now, let’s discuss all the documents you’ll require to get your Irish student visa:

Application Form

You must provide your signed and dated AVATS application form. If you fail to submit the form, your visa application can be rejected due to insufficient documents. 

Application Letter

• Your application letter must include the following information:
• Your full name and postal address are needed.
• Dates of arrival and departure.
• Commit that you will not rely on public services.
• Commit that you will leave Ireland before your Immigration permission expires.

Current Passport and Full Copy of Previous Passports

The current passport must be valid for at least 12 months after your proposed arrival date in Ireland.

2 Coloured Passport-sized Photographs ( not more than 6 months old)

Your photograph should have your name and visa reference number on its back. Some additional information is as follows:

• Both photos must be 45-50mm in height and 35-38mm in width
• They must both show a close-up of your face and the top of the shoulders
• Your face must take up 70% to 80% of the photo.

Letter of Acceptance From the College

You’ll need a Letter of Acceptance from the educational institution you’ll be attending to support your Irish student visa application. This letter must contain the following key details:

• Your Enrolment Status: This is confirmation that you have been officially accepted and enrolled in a full-time course. The course should involve at least 15 hours of structured daytime tuition per week.
• Course Information: Details about the specific course you’ll be pursuing.
• Course Fees: A clear breakdown of the total fees associated with your chosen course.
• Medical Insurance: A statement indicating whether the college has taken out medical insurance on your behalf.

Payment Threshold:

• Courses under €6,000: Full payment of course fees to the college is mandatory before submitting your visa application.
• Courses exceeding €6,000: Your Letter of Acceptance must reflect a minimum payment of €6,000 towards your course fees. This minimum payment is an immigration requirement. However, the college may ask for full payment or 50% of the tuition fee in certain cases.

Police Clearance Certificate

All student visa applications require the submission of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Ireland study visas should not be older than six months from the date of submitting your visa application. A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a crucial requirement for your application. You’ll need to apply online through the official Passport Seva Kendra website. The processing time typically takes between 10 and 15 days.

Evidence of Gaps in Educational History or Professional History

You must provide information on any gaps since your last period of full-time education. This must include the periods until you apply to study in Ireland. You must also give full details of your employment history. 

Evidence of Fee Payment

You need to submit a copy of the Electronic Transfer of Funds (ETF) to the Irish Bank of the college. This should display information about the recipient’s name, address, banking information, and equivalent details for the sender. You can also provide a legitimate receipt indicating that the tuition fees have been transferred to a recognised student fee payment provider.

Evidence of Academic Ability

Provide previous exam results or qualifications to provide evidence of your academic ability to pursue the course.

Proof of English Proficiency

You’ll need to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to study in Ireland. This ensures you can effectively participate in your chosen course of study, typically delivered in English. You must submit a certificate from an approved English language test provider to verify your English proficiency. This certificate will display your test results for IELTS (5.0 overall), Duolingo (105), PTE (30), and TOEFL iBT (61).

Irish Language Courses:

You’ll need to showcase your ability to speak and write in Irish for courses conducted in Irish. In this case, you must include a written statement from the educational institution. This statement should show how they assessed your Irish language skills.

Proof of Funds

If you require a visa to study in Ireland, you won’t need to show proof of financial resources once you arrive. The Irish immigration authorities assess your ability to support yourself financially during the visa application process.

Financial Resources Requirement:

You must showcase immediate access to a minimum of €10,000. This represents a student’s estimated living cost in Ireland during a single academic year.

Additional Years of Study: If your studies extend beyond one year, you’ll need to prove that you (and your sponsor(s)) have funds of at least €10,000 for each subsequent year, in addition to the course fees for those years.

Shorter Courses: For courses lasting less than six months, you must have €700 per month or a minimum of €4,200.

Documentary Evidence: All financial information must be supported by documentary evidence. If you have a sponsor, ensure their documents relate to them.

Required Documentation:

Your Finances:

• Bank Statements: Provide an up-to-date bank statement detailing all deposits and withdrawals for the past six months. This is mandatory regardless of whether you’re funding your studies alone.
• Loan Documents: To secure a student loan, submitting original documents beyond the sanction letter is essential. For property-backed loans, property deeds are required, and evidence of asset sales (like houses or land) must be provided if used as funding. Guarantors, acting as sponsors, need to be declared in the Financial Summary Form. 
• Format: Statements must be on official bank letterhead. Internet printouts are acceptable, provided every page is notarised by the bank and accompanied by a letter confirming its authenticity. Handwritten entries or alterations on statements will not be accepted.
• Information Required: Your name, address, account number, and account type must be visible.
• Large Lodgements: Any significant lodgement (e.g., student loans, investment returns, property sales) requires a full explanation.
• Savings Accounts: If submitting a statement from a savings account, include a letter from your bank confirming your ability to withdraw funds.
• Credit Cards: Credit cards are not considered acceptable proof of financial resources.

Sponsor Details :

If a family member or friend is (co-)responsible for your financial support, list each sponsor and provide details of your relationship with them.

Sponsor Finances:

• Support Level: Clearly outline the financial support each sponsor intends to provide throughout your stay in Ireland.
• Proof of Funds: Provide evidence demonstrating their ability to offer the specified support and maintain their financial well-being. Examples include:
  • Employer’s letter confirming employment details and recent payslips.
  • Business owners should provide a Certificate of Registration from their country’s authorities.
• Bank Statements: Each sponsor must submit an up-to-date bank statement.
• Government Funding: If receiving funding from a government body, provide comprehensive details of the financial support.

Financial Summary Form

The FSF is designed to help applicants better prepare their applications while helping visa officers understand the applicant’s financial situation. If your submitted financial evidence is unclear or incomplete, your visa application may be delayed or rejected.

Medical Insurance

All non-European Economic Area (EEA) students must have private medical insurance to study in Ireland. This insurance must cover accidents and illnesses and provide for any hospitalisation you require.

Proof of Insurance at Registration:

During your immigration registration, you’ll need to demonstrate proof of private medical insurance in one of the following ways:

College Group Scheme:

• If your college offers a group insurance scheme, a letter of enrolment from the college will be used as proof. This letter should confirm the following:
  • Your participation in the college’s group scheme.
  • Payment of the associated fees.
  • A brief outline of the insurance coverage, including the name of the provider and coverage level.

Individual Private Medical Insurance:

If you are not a part of your college’s group insurance scheme, you’ll need to obtain individual private medical insurance bought in Ireland.

• Travel Insurance (First Year Only):

• • Newly arrived first-year students may use travel insurance under specific conditions:
    • The insurance must cover your entire stay, even if your course lasts less than a year.
    • The minimum coverage amount must be €25,000 for both accidents and illnesses.
    • The insurance must cover the cost of treatment.

Important Notes for Subsequent Registrations:

• Non-EEA students residing in Ireland for more than one year: If you initially used travel insurance in your first year, you’ll need to obtain private medical insurance sourced in Ireland for subsequent years of study.
• Second and Subsequent Registrations: At these registrations, you must provide evidence of having current private medical insurance obtained in Ireland. This can be shown through a renewal letter from your insurance provider. Travel insurance will not be accepted for subsequent registrations.
• Maintaining Insurance: Cancelling your medical insurance after registration violates immigration conditions.
• Language Requirement: Your proof of medical insurance must be in English. Failure to do so might result in the immigration authorities refusing your registration.

Previous Visa Refusals

It’s important to disclose any previous visa refusals from any country when applying for an Irish student visa. You’ll need to submit the original refusal letter issued by the relevant authorities. Disclosing this information can avoid a rejection of your current visa application. Be transparent and provide all requested documentation to ensure a smooth application process.

Birth certificate

You must submit the child’s birth certificate with their application if the child is an unaccompanied student under 18 years of age.

Consent of Parent or Legal Guardian

If you’re under 18 and applying for a student visa in Ireland, an essential requirement is a notarised document expressing written consent from both parents or legal guardians. This document should clearly outline who will be responsible for your care while studying in Ireland.

Consent Details:

The notarised parental consent letter must state the following:

• Permission to Study in Ireland: Confirmation that your parents/guardians permit you to travel to Ireland to pursue your studies.
• Legal Guardianship in Ireland: If a school, host family, or education agency will act as your legal guardian while you’re in Ireland, then the letter must confirm that.

Supporting Documentation:

Along with the notarised consent letter, you’ll also need to submit:

• Parent/Guardian Identification: Copies of their passports or national identity cards’ biometric page clearly show their signatures.
• Sole Custody: A court order of sole custody must be provided if only one parent has sole custody.

Accommodation and Vetting Certificate

If you’re under 18 and applying for an Irish student visa, you must provide details of your accommodation arrangements while studying in Ireland. This information forms part of the supporting documentation for your visa application.

Parental Presence:

• Parent Joining for Entire Duration: If at least one parent will accompany you for your studies (while you’re under 18), they’ll need to include details of their visa application.
• Parent Not Joining for Entire Duration: If at least one parent won’t be with you for the entire duration of your studies (while you’re under 18), a Garda Síochána (Irish Police) clearance for your accommodation is necessary.
• School Assistance: The university will initiate the process for obtaining this clearance. You must submit proof of receiving clearance with your visa application.