Modify my student permission

Ireland welcomes international students who wish to live here in order to pursue a full-time course of study. If you wish to come to Ireland to study you may be eligible for permission to remain in Ireland as a student.

Your primary purpose for being here should be to study, but if you are given permission on student (stamp 2) conditions you will also have a limited right to employment.

In general, family members are not permitted to join a non-EEA national residing in the State on a student type permission (Stamp – 2A, 2, 1A, 1G). Family members must apply for a visa in their own right. The following are the conditions that apply to various types of study courses undertaken by non-EEA nationals.

Please see related documents below for further information on financial requirements, medical insurance, and the full policy document on student immigration permission.

The maximum time a student may stay in Ireland on student type permission is limited to seven years (on completion of a course at level 9 or above the limit may be increased to eight years). Full conditions and requirements are set out in the guidelines. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with these requirements.

Please see related documents below for further information on financial requirements, medical insurance, and the full policy document on student immigration permission.

A degree programme refers to full-time, day-time academic courses leading to a major award as outlined below. Your award must be at or above Level 7 of the National Framework of Qualifications (see NFQ “fan diagram” at Appendix 1). There are six types of major award available in Ireland at the below levels.

Certain awards offered by international universities which satisfy the above definition will also be regarded as Degree Programme courses. Please see related documents below for further information on financial requirements, medical insurance, and the full policy document on student immigration permission.

All non-EEA national students who arrive on a D type visa must register at their local Immigration Office. If you come to Ireland on a degree programme you cannot then enrol on a non-degree programme or on a language course.

Where it has been arranged in advance of your arrival in Ireland, you may be permitted to undertake a foundation language course, where this is required as part of your degree programme. This must be clearly stated in any application for a visa or permission to remain. Similarly, if you have completed a degree programme you cannot then enrol on a language/non-degree programme.

The primary purpose for a student to be in the State is to study. It is not permissible for a student to come to Ireland to undertake a part-time course, or a distance learning course.

Studying from course to course must be progressive in nature, for example, English Language to degree Level 7 to degree Level 8 to Level 9 etc. It is a matter for each student to manage their own study in accordance with the student guidelines.

If you wish to come to Ireland for a short term language course (that is where you will spend less than 90 days in Ireland) you do not need to apply for student permission. Your permission is instead granted at the border and is given at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at your port of entry.

You can also combine a short term language course with a wider tourist visit to Ireland. You should make this clear at the point of entry and your overall duration in the State should not exceed 90 days.

If you require a visa to travel to Ireland you should apply for a short stay ‘C’ visit visa. You should include your intention to study and relevant documentation in your application. Please note that this type of visa cannot be renewed or transferred to full time student permission under any circumstances and you are required to leave the State on finishing the course.

If you successfully complete your language course, including achieving an attendance of at least 85% and passing your exams, you may be eligible to enrol on another language course which is more advanced subject to the conditions outlined above.

You can also progress to a degree level programme but you should be aware that your new programme must end before you reach the maximum of 7 years on student permission. If you successfully complete a degree programme you may be eligible for permission to remain under the Third Level Graduate Scheme (stamp 1G).

This scheme will allow you to remain in Ireland for 1 or 2 years, depending on your educational qualification, after your studies for the purpose of seeking graduate level employment.

For information regarding evidence of finances for ALL Non-EEA Students from 01 September 2016 please click on the following link: Evidence of Finances for all Non EEA Students.

For information regarding the requirement to hold private medical insurance please read the following notice Private Medical Insurance for full-time Non-EEA Students.

To check if your course is eligible for student immigration permission please see the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).

For further information on how to register as a student in Ireland. If you have any questions in relation to conditions of your student immigration please see our webpages. If you still need information, you can contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account.

If you are in Ireland for the purposes of study and you have been refused registration at your local immigration office, or been referred to Immigration Service Delivery by your local immigration office you can submit your application using the ISD Online Portal.

Please note from Monday 1 July 2024 email/postal applications for Extension of Student Permission will no longer be accepted. From this date, only applications made using the ISD Online Portal will be accepted.