Ireland has become a hotspot for international students. With its highly-ranked institutions, affordable tuition, and booming tech hub in its capital city, Dublin. So it’s no surprise that more people than ever are applying for their Ireland student visa.
Want to hear some fantastic news? Students from eligible countries don’t need to apply for an Ireland student visa to study there. These countries include Brazil, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan, and Malaysia. Read on for a list of nationalities exempt from needing a student visa. Plus more reasons to study in Ireland!
Want to see if Ireland is the right fit for you? Take our interactive quiz to find out which country you should study abroad in.
No-Visa-Required Nationalities
Some of the nationalities that don’t need a visa to study in Ireland include:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong (SAR)
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
Update July 2024: The Irish government recently announced that as of July 10, 2024, students from South Africa and Botswana now require a student visa to study in Ireland.
And many more. Not needing a student visa to pursue your studies in Ireland is a great perk, since it’s an entire process you no longer need to apply for or worry about. However, even if you don’t need an Ireland student visa, you’ll still need permission to enter Ireland when you arrive. You’ll also still need to show certain documents, including your letter of acceptance to an Irish institution and proof of English language proficiency.
For a full list of nationalities that don’t require a visa, check out Ireland’s government website’s Immigration Service Delivery guide. Do you see the nationality you belong to? It could be a sign to consider studying in Ireland!
Don’t see your country listed as a non-visa required nationality? Don’t sweat it! We’ve broken down how to get a student visa in five different countries, including Ireland, on our blog.
Irish Residence Permit
If you’re staying for more than 90 days, you must register your presence in Ireland with your local immigration authority. You’ll then get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP), whether you have a student visa or not. The IRP card proves you’re residing legally in Ireland, so it’s important to get and keep it with you.
If you’re in Dublin city and county, you must register with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). Outside of there, register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Do make an appointment within 90 days of being in Ireland, so the government will not cancel your permission or expect you to leave the country.
If you’re attending a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), you’ll receive stamp number 2 endorsement when registering. This enables you to work up to 20 hours per week while studying. This is just another reason to get permission to stay and complete the registration process as early as possible after arriving in Ireland.
Post-Study Options
With a high employability rate, many Irish universities and colleges offer career opportunities for international students. Students graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Ireland can stay for up to two years through Ireland’s Third-Level Graduate Programme.
Post-study work visas also allow certain students to work full-time for up to 40 hours a week and eventually apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Explore all the benefits Ireland has to offer international students in our blog.
High-Quality Education
Ireland offers students courses with high educational standards, research opportunities, and globally recognized degrees. Many institutions in Ireland are ranked among the top 3% in worldwide rankings and collectively offer over 5,000 programs for students to choose from. Some of the top universities in Ireland include Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork.
Want to learn more about different Irish institutions available to you? Check out part one and part two of our Top Universities in Ireland series.
Scholarships
Many institutions in Ireland offer international students merit-based, institution-specific, country-based, and financial aid scholarships. There are scholarships available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Some examples include:
- Maynooth University’s International Undergraduate Scholarship,
- University College Dublin’s Global Excellence Scholarship,
- Trinity College Dublin’s India Undergraduate Scholarship,
- and more.
Find more information on top scholarships in Ireland available to international students on our blog.
Choosing to study in Ireland allows international students to receive a world-class education, flexible post-study options, scholarship opportunities, and more. Also, depending on your nationality, you may not need that Ireland student visa—which means you’re already one step closer to applying to the Irish institution of your dreams.
