This article describes the visa requirements for students interested in booking an English course at a language school in Ireland. All students (except students from EEA countries or Switzerland) must apply for a D Study Visa to study in Ireland for more than 6 months.


1. Overview


There are three categories of visitors:

  • Students from countries that need a visa: These students need to apply for a C Visitor visa for courses with a duration of less than 3 months. For courses lasting longer than 6 months, the students will need to apply for a D Study Visa. Learn more »

  • Students from countries that do not need visitor visas: These students do NOT need a visa for courses of less than 3 months. For courses lasting longer than 6 months, the students will need to apply for either a student visa. Learn more »

  • Students from countries that are exempt from visas (ex: EEA member states, Switzerland): These students do NOT need a visa to study in Ireland.

2. Who needs a visa?


A student must apply for a visa if he/she is a citizen of a country that is NOT a part of the EEA or from Switzerland. Find out if you need a visa to study English in Ireland »


3. Visa types


Tourist visa

Visitors who need a visa may stay in Ireland on a Tourist Visa (C Visitor Visa) for no more than 90 days.

Student visa

Students must apply for a student visa if they would like to stay in Ireland for more than 3 months. Students who would like to apply for a student visa must study a minimum of 25 weeks, and enroll in a full-time course with no less than 15 hours per week. Students who need a visa to enter Ireland must apply for the visa before travelling.

Students are allowed to work part time during their studies and full-time during the holidays of the school while on a student visa.

Students from visa waiver countries do NOT need to apply for the visa before entering to Ireland. Learn more »

To be eligible for a student visa, the student must meet all these requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a course listed on the Internationalisation Register
  • Be enrolled in a course with a minimum of 15 hours day-time tuition, between the hours of 8am and 6pm, for a minimum of 25 weeks in a year
  • Pursue a course leading to a qualifications recognized by the Ministry for Education
  • Enroll in a course focused on education and skills in the English language
  • Have housing for at least one week (preferably one month)

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of 1 Oct 2015, students will only be able to study a language program on a Student Visa for up to 8 months.


4. Requirements for visa applications


  • Passport
  • Proof of financial means (at least 7000 EUR for one year)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of complete tuition payment
  • Letter of acceptance from the school
  • Proof of previous English studies

5. Useful links