In This Section
Introduction
Non-EEA/non-Swiss nationals can only be recruited to programmes listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or to eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the TrustEd Education mark. The ILEP will be superseded by the TrustEd statutory quality mark awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Listed providers must meet certain criteria for each type of approved programme to be included on the ILEP.
The ILEP is closed. Providers without programmes currently listed in the ILEP must have gained TrustEd Ireland authorisation before recruiting non-EEA nationals.
The ILEP criteria were updated on 21 March 2025.
Providers must remain in compliance with the relevant criteria in order to retain a listing on the ILEP. Instances of non-compliance may result in removal from the ILEP of all of a provider’s programme listings.
Final application cycle
The ILEP remains closed to new applicant providers. Providers with programmes already listed on the ILEP were provided with a final opportunity to apply for additional programmes from 10-16 April 2025. Applications have now closed.
- Applications have now closed.
- Applications received will not be processed
- Applications should be submitted by email only
Processing final applications
TrustEd Ireland, QQI’s international education mark
The ILEP will be superseded by the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark for student immigration purposes. All education providers intending to recruit non-EEA students must gain authorisation from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to use the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark.
The new mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment through to the completion of their programme of education.
Once the ILEP is discontinued, only education providers granted authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark will be eligible to recruit students from outside the EEA to English language programmes, foundation programmes and higher education programmes.
The final ILEP update will be published in June 2025. Where a provider has programmes listed in the ILEP and remains in compliance with ILEP criteria, it may continue to recruit non-EEA nationals until the ILEP ceases operation.
Providers with programmes listed in the ILEP are strongly advised to apply for the TrustEd Ireland mark. Further information about TrustEd Ireland, the application process and timeframes are set out on TrustEd Ireland information page on the QQI website. Any questions regarding TrustEd Ireland should be addressed to the International Education Division of QQI at [email protected]
Any providers planning to recruit non-EEA nationals to programmes must apply to QQI for authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland quality mark.
Ongoing monitoring of providers
Providers must comply with immigration regulations and ILEP criteria and requirements. Immigration Service Delivery may carry out unannounced inspections, spot checks and monitoring of activity and compliance.
Providers must inform the ILEP unit (within five working days) of any change to status. This includes, for example, any changes to staffing, location of provision, learner protection arrangements, ownership or governance. Failure to notify us, or the provision of false or misleading information, may result in the removal from the ILEP of all the provider’s programmes.
Contact details for the ILEP Unit:
Email: [email protected]
Postal address:
Interim List of Eligible Programmes, ILEP BQ/4
Immigration Service Delivery
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2, D02 XK70