Ireland’s highly-ranked academic institutions and Dublin’s status as a tech hub have made Ireland a top choice for many international students. Plus, diverse scholarship opportunities and affordable tuition rates make Ireland an attractive destination for many future scholars. And, while applying to become an international student always takes time and care, a piece of great news is that some students don鈥檛 need to apply for a student visa.
Citizens from Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, and many more don鈥檛 require a visa to study abroad in Ireland. Is your home country on this list? Read on to learn which nationalities don’t need a student visa for Ireland, and more great reasons for you to choose the Emerald Isle.
Could Ireland be the right destination for you? Take our interactive quiz to see which country suits your study-abroad vibe.
Which Nationalities are Visa-Exempt When Studying in Ireland?
If you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country, that means you don’t need to apply for a short stay ‘C’ visa or a long stay ‘D’ visa. Not needing a student visa for Ireland is a great perk, since it means you’ll save time when preparing for your studies.
All citizens of Switzerland, the European Union, or the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein) don’t need a visa to come to Ireland.
Some of the to land in Ireland are:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong (SAR)
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Paraguay
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
However, even if you don鈥檛 need an Irish student visa, if you’re not from the EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, when you arrive at the airport or other port of entry. And, you must still show key documents like your enrolment letter for an Irish institution and proof that you’ve paid your fees upon arrival.
Lastly, all students who plan to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days must apply for an Irish Residence Permit鈥攚e’ll explain what that is and why it matters below.
Don鈥檛 see your country listed as a visa-exempt nationality? Use our student visa application guide to tackle the visa application process with confidence.
The Irish Residence Permit
Whether you need a student visa or not, if you鈥檙e staying for more than 90 days in Ireland, you must register your presence there with the local immigration authority. Once you do, you鈥檒l get an (IRP). The IRP card proves you鈥檙e residing legally in Ireland, so it鈥檚 important to get one and always keep it with you.
If you鈥檙e living in the city or county of Dublin, you must register for an IRP with (ISD). Residents of the rest of Ireland must register with the (GNIB).
Set up an IRP appointment within 90 days of arriving in Ireland, so the government doesn’t cancel your permission to stay in the country.
If you鈥檙e attending a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), you鈥檒l receive a when registering for an IRP. This stamp allows you to work up to 20 hours per week while class is in session. For many students, being able to work while studying is a key reason to establish your legal residence as early as possible!
Great Reasons to Study in Ireland
Ireland offers international students the chance to study at prestigious, innovative colleges and universities, many of which are set in lively cities. Scholarships from Irish institutions can also help students live well without breaking the bank. Plus, educational qualifications from Ireland are recognized around the world, setting many students up for global careers. We’ll look at each of these reasons to study in Ireland below.
High-Quality Education
Academic institutions in Ireland offer courses with high educational standards, unparalleled research opportunities, and widely recognized degrees.
Many institutions in Ireland are listed among the top 3% in global rankings and collectively offer over 5,000 courses for students to choose from. Some of the top universities in Ireland include Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, and Dublin City University.
Want to learn more about different Irish institutions? Read part one and part two of our Top Universities in Ireland series.
Access to Scholarships
To help pay for tuition, many institutions offer international students scholarships. The scholarships may be merit-based, institution-specific, country-specific, or built to provide specific financial aid. Many scholarships are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students, so check your institution’s website to see what’s accepting applications.
Some examples include:
- Maynooth University鈥檚
- University College Dublin鈥檚
- Trinity College Dublin鈥檚
Learn more about top scholarships in Ireland for international students on our blog.
Post-Study Options
As graduates from many Irish universities and colleges have a high employability rate, many international students consider staying in Ireland after they graduate to gain work experience. Students graduating with an honours bachelor’s degree (NFQ level 8), master鈥檚 degree (NFQ level 9), or doctoral degree (NQF level 10) in Ireland can stay for up to two years through .
Explore all the benefits Ireland has to offer international students.
Choosing to study in Ireland can connect you to a world-class education with helpful scholarships, flexible post-study options, and more. Also, depending on your nationality, you may not need an Ireland student visa鈥攚hich means you鈥檙e already one step closer to attending the Irish college or university of your dreams.
Curious about studying in Ireland? From top courses to arrival prep, learn more about Ireland with 老九品茶.
