Ireland Pre-Departure Guide
Your complete checklist and guide for all essential preparations before traveling to Ireland for your studies.
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Your steps before you fly to Ireland.
Before you leave for Ireland
Four things to do before you fly from India or Pakistan.
Start early
What to prepare
- Visa: The long stay study visa (D visa) for stays of more than 90 days.
- Money and fees: EUR 10,000 for your first year. You also pay some or all of your course fee before the visa.
- Insurance: Private medical insurance for students from outside the EEA.
- Accommodation: An address to give on your visa application and at the airport passport check.
Your timeline
After your offer
Pay at least EUR 6,000 of your course fee, or all of it if it is less. Arrange private medical insurance: your own policy, or your college's group plan.
From 3 months before travel
Fill in the visa form on AVATS (the online visa application form).
After your visa decision
Book your flight.
Within 90 days of arrival
Register for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
Your university's own rules
Your university decides its own English test score and deposit. They can be higher than what the visa needs.
Check its offer letter and international office pages.
Quick checklist
The main papers to have before you apply and fly.
Documents
Passport
Valid for 12 months after you arrive.
Letter of acceptance
The letter from your college. Your course must be full time, at least 15 hours of daytime teaching a week.
English test certificate
Issued within 2 years of your course start.
Money
Bank statements
Statements that cover 6 months.
Fee receipt
Proof you paid your college.
Health
Private medical insurance
Needed for the visa and for registration.
Don't forget
Pre-departure guides
Read each guide in order.
Staying in touch
Save this number before you travel.
Important Contacts & Resources
Emergency Contacts in Ireland
112 and 999 both work in Ireland and the call is free.
Tips before you go
Before you pay, check that your course is on the ILEP, the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (the government list of courses that can lead to a study visa).
Keep 6 months of bank history ready, with any big deposits explained.
Declare every past visa refusal on your application.
Do not buy your flight before your visa decision.
Keep copies of all visa papers to show at the airport passport check.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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