Modify my student permission

The policy and guidelines for immigration permission for non-EEA national students are set out in detail on this website.

• https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/frequently-asked-questions-for-students/
• https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/
• https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-third-level-course-or-a-language-course/

These guidelines and policies have been updated over the years and the current up to date position for non EEA national students is available on our website. The website sets out what we refer to as The Student Pathway.

The Student Pathway is as follows:

1. The non-EEA national student takes up an English language course or higher education programme that is listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The non-EEA national student is registered on Stamp 2 student conditions and has concession to work 20 hours per week (without an employment permit) during term-time and 40 hours per week during vacation time.  Vacation times June, July, August and September, and between 15 December and 15 January.

2. The maximum time a person can do English language courses is two years. This consists of three courses of eight months each. English language students are then required to undertake a higher education programme listed on the ILEP to qualify for further immigration permission as a non-EEA national student.

3. The Third Level Graduate Programme allows graduates with a level eight (8) qualification (awarded in Ireland) to get a 12-month extension to their residence permission on Stamp 1G, provided the number of years spend on the student pathway (stamps 2,2A, 1A, 1G) do not exceed seven (7) years in total. Graduates with qualifications at level nine (9) or above may get a 24-month extension (two blocks of 12-months) to their permission provided the number of years spent on the student pathway (stamps 2, 2A, 1A, 1G) does not exceed 8 years in total.

4. The Third Level Graduate Programme gives a permission on Stamp 1G. This is for the purpose of seeking graduate level employment and applying for a general employment permit, a critical skills employment permit or research hosting agreement. This time is given to allow graduates to work full time without an employment permit and seek an employment permit based job.

5. When graduates get an Employment Permit issued by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment they can then register on Stamp 1 conditions. If a graduate does not get an employment permit, or does not apply for and qualify for another immigration permission, before the end of their Stamp 1G student permission they will be expected to leave the State.

The Domestic Residence and Permission Division (DRP) has recently been receiving a high level of applications and queries regarding conditions for Non-EEA national students.

Non-EEA national students should be aware of the following conditions attached to their immigration permission.

• English language students are required to attend at least 85% of their classes. They are also required to sit a recognised exam at the end of the programme. This is a requirement of the stamp 2 immigration permission. English language students must show proof of this exam to qualify for further immigration permission. If an English language student does not achieve this attendance level or sit the exam they may be refused further immigration permission.
• Degree level students are required to demonstrate progression in their studies in order to qualify for further immigration permission.
• English language students can attend a maximum of three (3) English language courses lasting at least 25 weeks each with permission of up to eight (8) months for each. This adds up to two (2) years in total. At the end of two (2) years the student is required to progress onto a higher education programme in order to qualify for further immigration permission as a non-EEA national student.
• The first port of call for any non-EEA national student who has difficulties or queries is their local immigration office.
• When a graduate is on a Stamp 1G it is expected that they, or their employer, will apply for and obtain an employment permit before the end of the permission. It is not generally permissible to extend immigration permission in order to facilitate a late application for an employment permit.
• If you have been refused registration at your local immigration office and you believe you have exceptional circumstances in your case, you can apply to Domestic Residence and Permissions Division (DRP) for an extension of your student permission using the 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.

Over the course of the past three years certain concessions have been afforded to non-EEA national students in the State. During the pandemic, the Minister extended all immigration permissions nine times to allow people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 to be legally permitted to remain here until 31 May 2022. These extensions were made in the context of an uncertain health and international travel situation to provide assistance and assurance to people who use the immigration services.

In addition during the pandemic and in recognition of the difficulties graduates faced in accessing employment opportunities DRP extended Graduate permissions (Stamp 1G) for many graduates on request. It should be noted that, while some degree of flexibility was exercised for immigration registrations and renewals during the Covid19 pandemic, the policies and guidelines regarding the issuing of Immigration Permissions to Non-EEA National Students did not change and will continue to be applied in all circumstances.