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During your Studies at Trinity

During your studies

During your studies at Trinity (including travelling outside Ireland)

Renewing your Immigration Permission; Travelling abroad from Ireland (including Northern Ireland, UK and Europe).

Welcome

Throughout your studies, you will need to renew your Irish Residence Permit each year. In addition, if you wish to travel to the UK (including Northern Ireland) or Europe at any point, please check to see if you will need any visas or permits to do so.

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 subsequent years.) More details for Health Insurance please visit this link.

Notes:

  1. We strongly advise submitting your renewal application as early as possible (up to 12 weeks prior to expiry) to avoid 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.

Working in Ireland: Employment Rules and Tips

Part-time work can be an excellent way to gain experience and support yourself during your studies. However, always bear in mind that your studies come first, and not to overburden yourself. If you plan to work during your studies in Ireland, please keep the following rules and tips in mind:


EU passport holders:  

  • Students from the EU have the same rights as Irish citizens to work in Ireland  

Non-EU passport holders:  

  • Students from outside the EU must have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) with Stamp 2 before commencing employment.  
  • Permitted Working Hours: If you hold a Stamp 2 immigration permission, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term. During official holiday periods (considered by the Immigration Office to be 1st June to 30th September, and 15th December to 15th January), you can work up to 40 hours per week. 
  • Internships/Placements involving more than 20 hours per week during term time are permitted where this forms an integral part of an academic course. Click here for more information on immigration considerations for internships/placements.  

  
All Students:  

  • Personal Public Service Number (PPSN): To work and pay tax in Ireland - as well as access social welfare benefits, public services, and healthcare, e.g. a GP service outside Trinity - you will need a unique reference number called a PPSN. (Please note that attending College Health does not require a PPSN.)
  • We encourage all students who think they may need a PPSN to apply as soon as possible after arriving in Ireland, as the process can take a number of weeks to complete. Applications from overseas are generally intended for those who need to interact with a state agency in Ireland without relocating.
  • First set up a MyGovID account online through MyWelfare.ie. You will need proof of identity, proof of address (your College registration letter); and why you need a PPS. For need, you should note ‘study/education’. By way of evidence, include your College registration letter and your Blackboard Timetable.  
  • You will then be invited to attend an in-person appointment at an Intreo Centre. There are many offices nationwide, including two in Dublin city).
  • If successful, your PPSN will be sent to you by post to your Irish address, usually within 2–4 weeks, but it can be up to 8 weeks depending on demand.   
  • For more information, please visit here.

Helpful Tips for Employment  

  • Irish Phone Number: Having an Irish mobile number is highly recommended. It allows prospective employers to contact you easily regarding interviews and shifts. Some major phone providers in Ireland include:  
  • Irish Bank Account: While SEPA transfers are widely used, many Irish employers prefer to pay wages directly into a local bank account. Setting up an Irish bank account can significantly speed up your payroll setup.  
  • The two main Irish banks have branches close to Trinity. They both have student accounts with no account maintenance fee. (See: Allied Irish Bank (AIB): www.aib.ie and Bank of Ireland (BOI): www.boi.ie).   
  • Revenue: When you start your first job in Ireland, you should notify Revenue as soon as possible in order to avoid Emergency Tax. Again, this can take time to set up, so we recommend you set yourself up on Revenue in advance of getting your first job.  
  • First, register with Revenue online. There are two ways to register for an account. One by entering your MyGovID and the other using your PPSN, email, Irish phone number, and Irish address. We have heard from other students that the latter is more straightforward. You can then verify your identity either by submitting two of the following: Irish driving licence number, information from your payslip, or income tax documentation, or, alternatively, requesting that the password be sent to you by post. As you are setting up Revenue for the purposes of acquiring work, and therefore will not have two of those documentation types, you should follow the second approach.   
  • Once you are set up and you have your new job secured, to register that position, you log in to myAccount, and go to ‘Add Job or Pension’.  
  • You are only required to register your first job. The registration of second and subsequent jobs is the responsibility of employers. All you need is to provide your employer with your PPSN. We always advise that you check in Revenue to ensure the details are correct.   
  • If you are placed on emergency tax or overpay tax for any reason, you can claim this money back from Revenue once your details are correct, usually at the end of the tax year.  

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.

  • Health insurance
  • Staying in Ireland after your studies
  • Frequently Asked Questions