During your Studies at Trinity

Renewing your Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

The Irish Residence Permit card is valid for one year (unless you are a single semester student). It must be renewed each year by the expiry date.

You must pay a renewal fee of €300 every year.

You must have private health insurance for each year of your stay. (student is required to source private medical insurance in Ireland for their second and any subsequent years.) More details for Health Insurance please visit this link.

Notes:

1. We strongly advise aubmitting you renewal appliation as early as possibly (up to 12 weeks prior to expiry) to aviod any gap period to receive your new IRP as the ISD has a large backlog.
2. To ensure a smooth processing of your renewal application, please double-check that all required documents have been uploaded correctly. In case any additional documents are needed, the ISD may reach out to you via email. Please keep an eye on your inbox as sometimes their emails may go to your SPAM folder. Failure to upload further requested documents in time may result in delays in processing your application.
3. The processing time for your application may vary depending on the volume of applications received and the workload of the ISD. You can check the estimated processing time on ISD website. If your waiting time exceeds the estimated processing time, please contact the ISD by submitting a query through the Customer Service portal or reach out to us.

Students who have previously registered with the Irish Immigration Service Delivery, and who are progressing to the second or later year of a degree course and who are living in Ireland, can renew their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card through the Irish Immigration Website.

Exploring Europe: What is a Schengen Visa?

You will likely need a Schengen visa if you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country and your passport is from a country that is not part of an EU visa waiver agreement. Ireland is not part of the Schengen Zone which means that your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) does not entitle you to travel to the Schengen Zone.

A Schengen visa allows you to travel to any of the 29 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area. With this visa, you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, for tourism, business or family visits.

The Schengen Area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Applying for a Schengen Visa

1. Gather Required Documents:

• Completed application form
• Valid passport (with at least two blank pages and valid for at least three months beyond the return date)
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Travel itinerary (flight and accommodation details)
• Proof of registration
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Travel insurance
• Proof of purpose of visit (e.g., invitation letter, conference registration)
• Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card valid for at least 3 months after your return date

2. Schedule an Appointment: Book an appointment at the embassy or consulate of the country you are seeking to travel to as early as possible (if you intend to travel to more than one country, you usually apply to the country where you will spend the most amount of time]

3. Attend the Appointment: Submit your application, provide biometric data, and pay the visa fee.

4. Wait for Processing: Processing times can vary, so apply well in advance of your travel date.

5. Receive Your Visa: Once approved, ensure all details are correct.

Important Notice: Difficulty in Securing Appointments

• Securing an appointment for a Schengen visa in Dublin has become very challenging. Due to high demand and limited appointment availability, we strongly recommend that students start looking for an appointment as early as possible.
• We do not have the capacity to assist students with securing any appointments. Therefore, please plan ahead and aim to schedule your appointment at least 3 to 4 months prior to your intended travel date.

IRP Card Validation Requirement

• Please note that your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned return date from the Schengen Area. Ensure your IRP card meets this requirement before applying for a Schengen visa.
• For more detailed information and assistance, please visit the official website of the designated Schengen country.

What is an ETIAS?

ETIAS is the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries. It is expected that ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.

Exploring Northern Ireland and the UK: Visas and ETA

If you are planning to visit the United Kingdom (UK), you may need to apply for a Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.

Remember, if you are traveling to Northern Ireland, you must obtain a UK visa or ETA, whichever applies to you. There are some exceptions for needing an ETA – see below.

Do I need a UK Visa or do I qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)?

Before traveling, check whether you need a visa or if you qualify for an ETA using the UK government's official tool: Check if you need a UK visa.

I need a UK Visa - what do I need to do?

If you are from a visa-required country, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. This allows you to visit for purposes such as tourism, academic visits, or attending conferences (the length of time can vary). The application process is managed by VFS Global in Dublin.

I qualify for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) - what do I need to do?

Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK.

Exceptions for needing an ETA

In some circumstances, you may not need an ETA. You do not need an ETA if both of the following apply (note, if you are a visa required national, this doesn’t apply to you, you will still need to apply for a visa to enter the UK):

You are legally resident in Ireland (as a fully registered Trinity student, you are considered legally resident for the purposes of the ETA)

AND

You are entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man

If you do not need an ETA, you should carry proof of residence in Ireland when traveling. Acceptable documents include:

• Irish driving licence or learner permit
• Medical card or GP visit card
• European Health Insurance Card
• Irish Residence Permit (IRP card)
• Permanent Residence Certificate
• National Age Card
• Diplomatic identity card

Where can I get more information on the UK visa and ETA process?

For more details on ETA, visit the UK government's official ETA guidance official ETA guidance.

If you are unsure about your visa requirements or need further assistance, we recommend reviewing the UK government's official visa guidance or contacting UK Visas and Immigration for help.