Visa and Immigration

Contact your local Irish Diplomatic Mission for advice on visa applications. A list of Irish embassies and consulates is available here. In the event that there is no local Irish Diplomatic Mission, you should contact the Visa Section at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS): +353 1 6167700 or visamail@justice.ie.

The visa application system is an online system. Information on this system is available from theINIS website.

Carry your UL offer letter in your hand luggage when travelling. You may be asked to present this to immigration when you arrive in Ireland.

Students from EU countries do not need a visa to study in Ireland.

If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you can check if you need a visa here. 

Students from visa-required countries should apply for a study visa well in advance of their departure. Guidelines on applying for an Irish study visa are available here. 

Please note, all students from non-EU/EEA countries, including those from non visa-required countries, will need to register with immigration within three months of your arrival. The UL Global team will arrange an appointment with the Immigration Bureau in Limerick on your behalf and your allocated time slot will be sent to you by email. You must attend your allocated appointment. 

If you are a non-EEA national coming to study in Ireland you must be enrolled in a full-time course or programme on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Student permission will only be granted if you have enrolled on and started a programme listed on the ILEP.

In order to be granted student permission in Ireland, you must enrol on a full-time day time programme. Part-time or distance learning courses do not qualify for student permission.

The ILEP includes the following types of programmes or courses:

• English language programmes
• Higher education programmes
• Professional awards
• Foundation programmes

UL uses Digitary, an online secure document platform to enable applicants, students, and graduates to access certified and secure electronic documents. The Visa Support Letter for applicants is available through Digitary and is issued upon payment of fees. See here for more information.

Note for full degree undergraduate and postgraduate applicants: this letter will only be issued upon payment of 50% of tuition fees. Students in receipt of a tuition fee scholarship will also need to provide supporting scholarship documentation as part of their visa application.

The list below gives you a general idea of what is required. You can find up-to-date information on the study visa application process and the documentation requirements on the Irish immigration website.

Valid passport

• UL offer letter - letter from the University of Limerick indicating that you have been offered a place on a full-time programme
• Visa Support Letter from UL - UL uses Digitary, a secure online document platform to enable applicants, students, and graduates to access certified and secure electronic documents. The Visa Support Letter for applicants is available through Digitary and is issued upon payment of fees. See here from more information. Note for full degree undergraduate and postgraduate applicants: this letter will only be issued upon payment of 50% of tuition fees. Students in receipt of a tuition fee scholarship will also need to provide supporting scholarship documentation as part of their visa application.
• Proof of payment of tuition fees (which can be paid through TransferMate)
• All visa required students who intend commencing their studies in Ireland after 01 July 2023, will be required to show evidence that they have access to at least €10,000 per year of their studies. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months, they must have access to €700 per month of their stay or €4,200, whichever is the lesser. The information can be found here - https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-fee-paying-private-primary-or-secondary-school/information-on-student-finances/
• Proof of medical insurance
• In some cases proof of English is required, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate

You can travel to Ireland between the dates entered on your visa. You should have your offer letter and any other supporting documentation from UL with you on arrival at the airport.

All students from non-EU/EEA countries, including those from non visa-required countries, will need to register with immigration within three months of your arrival. The UL Global team will arrange an appointment with the Immigration Bureau in Limerick on your behalf if you have a Limerick term address and your allocated time slot will be sent to you by email. You must attend your allocated appointment. If you live outside of Limerick you will need to contact your local Immigration Department to book a Registration appointment with them.

The UL Global team will arrange an appointment for students living in Limerick with the Limerick Immigration Office, details of which will be given to you during Orientation Week.

Students living outside of Limerick must contact their local Immigration Office to make their own registration appointment.

The Immigration Bureau in Limerick is located at the Garda Station in Henry Street. There is a charge of €300 each time you register. You can only pay the registration charge of €300 by bank giro or debit/credit card.

You will need to bring the following items to the Immigration Office to register for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP):

• A valid passport
• Evidence of financial support (e.g. current bank statement indicating your name or a letter of guarantee from a parent or guardian indicating the availabiltiy of sufficient funds to cover you during your period of stay in Ireland or a letter from your sponsor confirming your financial status)
• A letter from the University of Limerick indicating that you are a registered student and indicating the start date and duration of your programme. A 'Confirmation of Registration and Attendance' letter is available for you to download from your Student Portal once you have completed module registration, and this letter can be used for this purpose
• Proof of Address (Utility Bill, Tenancy Agreement, or a letter from your Village Manager if you are living on-campus)
• Evidence of fees paid or of funded research position
• Evidence of medical insurance
• Registration fee of €300 (payment by bank giro or credit/debit card)

Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is generally only issued for one year and you are responsible for renewing it for each year of your programme. If you are living in Limerick you can book an appointment with the Immigration Bureau in Henry Street Garda Station by emailing limerick.registration@garda.ie  It is important to note that the current wait time for an appointment in Limerick is approximately 16-18 weeks so please take this into consideration when applying for an appointment.  If you live outside Limerick you can find your local Immigration office contact details on the  Station Directory - Garda

Important: All documentation must be presented to the immigration officer in hard copy

• Valid Passport   
• A Confirmation of Registration and Attendance letter
  • This letter is available through the Student Portal
  • Please see this link for instructions on how to access this document
  • Please note that you will need to complete your module registration in order to be able to access this specific letter
  • It will take at least a full working day for this letter to come through to your UL student email address, so please do not delay requesting it
• Evidence of financial support (approx. €4,200)
  • If you are supporting yourself – this can be an up to date bank statement in English and in Euros
  • If you are a scholarship holder - evidence of the same will be required
  • If your parents are supporting you - a notarised letter stating that they will be supporting you financially for the duration of your academic stay in Ireland
• Evidence of semester tuition fee payment - can be downloaded from the Student Portal
• €300 fee payable by Debit or Credit card  - cash will not be accepted
• Proof of medical insurance – a hard copy printout of coverage letter/policy  
• Students may also be asked to produce another form of identification
• Students will need to provide proof of address:
  • Please provide a utility bill with your name and address
  • or a tenancy agreement with your name and address
  • or a letter from the village manager if you are living on campus
  • or a signed letter from your landlord/lady stating that you are residing at the said address along with a utilty bill in his/her name.

Purchasing medical insurance is an immigration requirement for non-EEA students. We recommend purchasing medical insurance through Arachas Corporate Brokers (formerly known as O'Driscol O'Neill). Arachas offer a number of plans tailored to non-EEA international students.

If you are a non-EEA student undertaking an academic course of a duration of 12 months or less, you can purchase medical insurance with Arachas directly through TransferMate. 

Other companies providing private medical insurance include AVIVA, Quinn-healthcare and VHI Healthcare.

Your study visa only allows you to enter and leave the country once. If you wish to leave for a short period (including travel to Northern Ireland), you must apply for a re-entry visa before you make your travel plans. You can apply for your re-entry visa by post. Details on the application procedure, fees and application form are available on the INIS website.

Students have to be studying in Ireland on a full time undergraduate or postgraduate programme before they are permitted to work in the country.

Study Abroad students are not permitted to work in Ireland.

Please note that the information below is for guideline purposes only. Students should familiarise themselves with the Immigration Guidelines for Degree Students

Working while Studying

International students that hold an immigration stamp 2 are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the university term. During the holiday period students can work on a full time basis – up to 40 hours per week. This means you can work for 20 hours per week during term time or full-time (up to 40 hours) during June, July, August and September and between 15th December and 15th January. 

Undertaking an internship (Cooperative Education)

Students enrolled on a degree programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their course.

Working after your degree - Third Level Graduate Scheme

What is the Graduate Scheme ?
The Graduate scheme enables non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for period of time after they have graduated from their respective course. During this period of time they can seek employment and work in Ireland without an employment permit.  Entry to the scheme is facilitated by application and the start of the scheme is based on the official receipt of exam results. For a full explanation of the scheme and requirements, please visit the INIS website - http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Student%20Pathway 

Twelve Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired an Honours Degree i.e. level 8 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

Twenty Four Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired a Masters Degree, a Post-Graduate Diploma or a Doctorate Degree, i.e. a qualification from level 9 – 10 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

Applying for the Graduate Scheme
It is important to note that third level graduates are not automatically included on this scheme, i.e. individuals must apply for entry on to the scheme. Applications may be made at the applicant’s local Garda Síochána registration office.

Application Documents Required

• An original letter signed by the College Registrar (on the headed paper of the College) stating that the applicant has completed the course of study satisfactorily, the award classification, and the date results were made available. An 'Awaiting Graduation' letter can be used for this purpose and can be requested through the Student Portal. See here for more information.
• Current passport
• Existing IRP Card
• Medical Insurance for 12 months
• Official UL transcripts
• A payment of €300 by credit/debit card (cash not accepted)

Application Fees
The normal fees for the issuing of Certificates of Registration will apply to this Scheme.

Permission to remain
Persons who qualify under this scheme will be granted Stamp 1G for a 12 month period starting on the date upon which the person receives their exam results. The purpose of the permission to remain under this Scheme is to seek employment and gain a Hosting Agreement, Green Card or Work Permit. After 12 months, you may be eligible for the Green Card or Work Permit Scheme. This permission is granted by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation. Check their website at http://www.deti.ie and see http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP11000076.

Conditions
A person granted an extension to their permission to remain in the State under the Graduate Scheme shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
• Will be allowed to work for up to 40 hours per week without an employment permit
• Will not engage in self employment or operate a business in the State 

It is important to note the following:
A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme once. 
Once a student has availed of the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme they are not permitted to re-enter full time education and to be registered as a student at the end of this period.

Expiry
This scheme shall automatically expire after a period of 12 months for those with an undergraduate qualification, 24 months for those with a postgraduate qualification. 

If you require an extension to your student Immigration permissions please note that you must apply for this Immigration extension in writing to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division in Dublin.  Please note that the Limerick Immigration Department cannot extend a students’ Immigration permission until approval has been granted from the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division.  Once approval has been granted from the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division students can then apply for an immigration extension appointment by emailing the Limerick Immigration Department directly at limerick.registration@garda.ie

Students living outside the Limerick City and Country area will be required to contact their local immigration department for an extension appointment.  Contact details for your nearest Immigration department can be located here.

In order to apply for an extension of your student Immigration permissions you will be required to complete this application form in full and provide the required documentation

Applications to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division are only accepted through post.  The Domestic Residence and Permissions Division (DRP) helpdesk cannot process these applications.

You should post the completed application form (link above) along with the required documents to:

Student Permissions

Domestic Residence and Permissions Division

13-14 Burgh Quay

Dublin 2

D02XK70

If you are going to be out of the country for 6 months or more you cannot renew your Irish Immigration permissions prior to leaving. Visa required students are required to apply for an Irish re-entry visa approximately 8 weeks prior to returning to UL. Once back in Ireland you will be required to renew your immigration permissions within 90 days.

Once registered at the University of Limerick, students can generate their own letters through the Student Portal.

The Confirmation of Registration and Attendance letter can and should be used for the following purposes:

• Immigration Registration
• Immigration Renewal
• Bank of Ireland (BOI) - Account opening
• Allied Irish Bank (AIB) - Account opening
• KBC Bank Ireland - Account opening
• Personal Public Service (PPS) number application

Please note: The letter is only available to those who have completed module registration.