Study / Student in Ireland
2 documented routes of this kind in Ireland, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)
Lets non-EEA graduates of Irish institutions stay to seek graduate-level employment and apply for an employment permit after completing their studies.
- Processing time
- Granted on registration
- Validity
- 12 months (Level 8) or up to 24 months (Level 9+); usable on a maximum of 2 separate occasions
- Language requirement
- None (study conducted in English)
- Permanent residence
- Not directly; requires transition to an employment permit first. Student time and Stamp 1G generally do not count toward Long-Term Residency
- Citizenship
- Stamp 1G counts as reckonable residence only in limited circumstances (e.g. as spouse/partner of a CSEP/GEP/ICT holder or under the graduate scheme); student Stamp 2 does not count
Requirements
- Hold a Level 8 (NFQ) award (up to 12 months) or Level 9+ award (up to 24 months in two 12-month blocks)
- Apply within 6 months of being notified in writing by the awarding body that the award was achieved
- Hold a current Stamp 2 and valid IRP at the time of applying
- Level 8 path capped so total student-path time (Stamp 2 + 1G) does not exceed 7 years; Level 9+ capped at 8 years
- Level 9+ second 12-month block requires evidence of job-seeking effort
Required Documents
- Written notification of award from the awarding body required
- Current valid passport required
- Current Stamp 2 and valid IRP required
Official fees
- IRP / registration fee (commonly EUR 300; confirm at registration) 300 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Receive award notification
Receive written notification of your award from the awarding body.
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2
Apply within 6 months
Within 6 months, apply to register/renew on Stamp 1G. In Dublin/Kildare/Meath/Wicklow use the ISD online renewal system (inisonline.jahs.ie); outside those counties register via the Garda National Immigration Bureau (email gnib_dv@garda.ie for an appointment).
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3
Receive Stamp 1G
Receive Stamp 1G and seek graduate employment.
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4
Level 9 renewal
Level 9 holders show steps taken to find graduate-level work at the 12-month renewal.
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5
Transition to permit
Transition to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit when employed.
Official Sources
Long-Stay Study Visa (Stamp 2)
Permits non-EEA nationals to study full-time in Ireland on courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for periods longer than 90 days. Issued as a long-stay 'D' visa with Stamp 2 immigration permission. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours per week during holidays without a separate employment permit. Leads to the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) on completion of a Level 8+ degree.
- Processing time
- Applications should be submitted up to 3 months before the date of travel. Processing times vary by visa office; no single fixed timeframe is published.
- Validity
- Per course duration, typically 1 year; renewed annually while course continues. Stamp 2 is non-reckonable for long-term residency.
- Language requirement
- No standalone language test required for the visa itself; individual institutions set English-language entry requirements.
- Permanent residence
- Stamp 2 time is not reckonable toward long-term residency or naturalisation. PR is only accessible through other routes after graduation (e.g. Stamp 1G then Critical Skills Employment Permit accumulating toward Stamp 4).
- Citizenship
- Stamp 2 time is not reckonable for naturalisation purposes.
Requirements
- Non-EEA national (EEA/Swiss nationals do not require a visa or Stamp 2)
- Unconditional or conditional offer of enrolment on a full-time ILEP-listed course or eligible TrustEd Ireland HE programme
- Full course fee payment evidence (full fees if under EUR 6,000; at least EUR 6,000 if fees exceed EUR 6,000) — updated requirement from 30 June 2025
- Evidence of sufficient funds: at least EUR 10,000 for a 1-year course (or EUR 833/month for shorter courses)
- Private medical insurance
- Must not have recourse to public funds
- Good character and no serious criminal record
Required Documents
- Completed long-stay visa application form (online via AVATS portal) required
- Valid passport (valid for at least 12 months beyond intended stay) required
- Letter of acceptance from ILEP-listed institution confirming enrolment on a full-time daytime course required
- Evidence of course fee payment (receipt from institution) required
- Bank statements or other evidence of sufficient funds (EUR 10,000 minimum for 1-year course) required
- Private medical insurance certificate required
- Two recent passport-size photographs required
- Police clearance certificate
Official fees
- Long-stay D visa (single entry) 60 EUR
- Long-stay D visa (multiple entry) 100 EUR
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration fee 300 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Secure a place on an ILEP-listed course
Obtain an offer of enrolment from an Irish institution offering a full-time course on the ILEP (or an eligible TrustEd Ireland higher education programme). Pay the required course fees before applying.
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2
Apply for the long-stay 'D' study visa
Submit an online application via the Irish AVATS visa portal at least 3 months before travel. Upload required documents including enrolment letter, fee payment receipt, bank statements (EUR 10,000+ for 1 year), and medical insurance. Pay the visa fee (EUR 60 single / EUR 100 multiple entry).
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3
Attend visa office appointment if required
Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to attend your local Irish Embassy or Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics or original documents.
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4
Travel to Ireland
On entry, present your visa and supporting documents to the immigration officer at the port of entry. You will be given permission to land and a Stamp 2 endorsement.
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5
Register at Burgh Quay (IRP registration)
Book a first-time registration appointment via the ISD Customer Portal. Attend the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin. Pay EUR 300 and receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card confirming Stamp 2 permission.
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6
Renew annually
Stamp 2 permission must be renewed each year while you remain enrolled. Renewals are completed online or at a Regional Registration Office outside Dublin. The IRP renewal fee is EUR 300.