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 a Visa to study in Ireland?

How to apply for a visa before arrival?

In the first instance, all applications must be submitted through AVATS facility at www.visas.inis.gov.ie.

Once the form is completed, you will be directed as to where your documents should be submitted. Some countries have an Irish Embassy or Consulate that handles visa applications (for example, China, India, Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Turkey). While applications from other countries, may be processed at the Dublin Visa Office or another designated regional office. 

For more information on where your visa will be processed, please contact your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate, or the Dublin Visa Office. See Irish Embassy website

The following information summarises some of the key requirements, however you should refer to the full the Irish Immigration Service Delivery guidelines (hyperlink to “Irish Immigration Service Delivery guidelines”: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-long-term-study-visa/): 

• 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. Click ‘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.  

• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while studying in Ireland. As an international student you will not have resources to State funds and the Irish government that you are 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 your course is less than 8 months you must have access to €833 per month of your stay or €6,665 whichever is the lesser. 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.

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

When to apply 

• Most Irish embassies and consulates require a full (unconditional) offer before processing your visa application. If you wish to apply with a conditional offer, contact the relevant Irish visa office to confirm whether this is permitted, as requirements vary by country and region. 
• You can apply for your visa 3 months or longer before your intended travel date to Ireland. This varies across visa offices, so contact your relevant visa office directly for guidance. 
• We advise you to apply for your visa as early as possible (see below for processing times). 

Processing times  

• Visa processing times vary by location and the time of the year: 
• In many countries, applications take at least 8 weeks.  
• Applications processed through the Dublin Visa Office take at least 12 weeks, and may take longer during busy periods.  
• Check current Dublin processing times and the outcome of your application here: Irish Immigration – Visa. 
• Once your visa application is approved, the relevant visa office where you submitted your application will attach the visa to your passport and return it to you.