Preparing to come to Trinity

What is an Irish study visa?

An Irish study visa (often called a D visa for long-term studies) is a document placed in your passport by an Irish embassy or consulate. It allows you to travel to Ireland for study purposes. It is not permission to live in Ireland long-term — it's simply an entry clearance. Think of it like a ticket to get into the country for your course, not the membership card that lets you stay for the whole degree.

Do I need an Visa to study in Ireland?

Applying for a visa before arrival

Students should submit their visa applications using the AVATS facility at www.visas.inis.gov.ie . The application will only be processed when the online form is completed and the required documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant offices as indicated by the online system.

There is a dedicated visa processing office in China, India, Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss students resident in these countries, please refer to your local Irish Embassy website for details of further documentation which may be required.

We also recommend you explore the Irish Immigration Service Delivery website which guides you through the application process and the website is available in seven languages.

The following information summarises some of the key requirements, however you should refer to the full the Irish Immigration Service Delivery guidelines relevant to your type of study:

• A letter from Trinity confirming that you have accepted a place on a full-time course of study. Once you have accepted an offer, you can retrieve this letter yourself by following these steps:

1. Log in to the my.tcd.ie
2. Select My Applications from the top menu.
3. Click on generate visa letter.
4. Select your course from the drop-down list.
5. Press ‘Generate’.
6. The letter will be saved as PDF to your computer.

• Where the course fees are more than €6,000, you must pay at least this amount before applying for your visa. Evidence of this should be visible in your Letter of Acceptance. This minimum amount is an immigration requirement. However the college you wish to attend may ask for full payment of fees

• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while studying in Ireland. As an international student you will not have resourse to State funds and the Irish government that you be able to show that you - or your sponsor - have immediate access to at least €10,000, the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year - for each year of your course. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months, you must have access to €700 per month of their stay or €4,200, whichever is the lesser. Please note from 30 June 2025, these amounts will increase as follows: €10,000 for courses lasting more than 8 months (remain the same); €833 per month or €6,665 (in total) for courses resulting in residence of 8 months or less. More details please visit here.

• Evidence of private medical insurance. See here for information on health insurance providers.

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

• Proof of language proficiency that meets the requirements for your course (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90, or PTE 63) will also satisfy the minimum requirement for your visa application. For more details, please visit here. Please note that some courses may have higher language requirements, so be sure to double-check.

• Any other documents required by the Irish Immigration Service Delivery or the Irish Embassy through which you are applying.

• Ensure that you keep copies and a record of all documents submitted. After completing the online application, you will be asked to print out a summary sheet, so make sure you have access to a printer. The summary sheet will also have details about the relevant Irish Embassy, Consulate or Visa Office to which you will be submitting your application, in addition to information on fees and the supporting documentation required from applicants.

Note: Completing the online application form is the first step in the process. The application will only be processed when the online form is completed AND the required documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant offices indicated by the on-line system. Please pay careful attention when completing your application as failure to complete your form accurately or provide required supporting documentation may result in your visa being delayed or refused.

• Students can apply for a visa up to 3 months before arriving in Ireland.
• We advise you to apply as early as possible as visa processing can take up to 8 weeks.
• Visa applications processed through the Dublin office can take up to 12 weeks particularly during busy periods.
• You can check online for visa decisions using your visa application number at: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa.
• When your visa is approved, the Embassy to which you sent your documents will attach a visa to your passport.

When should I apply for my visa, and how long does it take?

Students can apply for a visa up to 3 months before arriving in Ireland.

• We advise you to apply as early as possible as visa processing can take up to 8 weeks.
• Visa applications processed through the Dublin office can take up to 12 weeks particularly during busy periods.
• You can check online for visa decisions using your visa application number at: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa.
• When your visa is approved, the Embassy to which you sent your documents will attach a visa to your passport.