About Ireland

Why study in Ireland?

1. Ireland is an English speaking country and is considered to have one of the best education systems in the world.

2. Ireland offers visitors a safe, welcoming environment and was recently voted the world's friendliest country(Lonely Planet 2008).

3. The country also offers a 6 month to 1 year post study work visa, unlike other European countries

4. Easy Entry Requirement (No Visa Interview).

5. Getting Permanent Residency(PR) is also easy in Ireland.

6. Biggest software exporters in Europe

7. Friendliest country in the World.

8. For International students it is a particularly attractive and welcoming destination, combining modern facilities and amenities with the traditional and legendary Irish hospitality.

9. Ireland is one of the strongest economy in EU over the last 10 years,safe and has the one of the best education system in the world. It has a population of 4.6 millions and has the fastest growing GDP in the world. It is a European headquarters to Major Multinationals.

Working In Ireland during Study:

20 hours per week during term time & 40 hours per week during vacations. (Minimum wages 8.65 Euros).At least capable of covering all living expenses (7000 euros). Post Study Work:

It may be possible to stay in Ireland after you complete your studies for the purpose of seeking employment under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme exists to allow legally resident non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card or work permit.

One Year Permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission To be eligible for a one year permission under the third level graduate scheme a student is required to have studied in Ireland and completed a qualification at Level NFQ 8-10,

Six Month Permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme A six month permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is available to students who have graduated a course at Level 7 of the NFQ.

Visa Application Procedure, Ireland

Important

Apply for your visa well in advance and allow six to eight weeks for your application to be processed if you are applying from abroad. In their application students will be asked to supply the following information:

Valid passport:

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected completion of your studies in Ireland. If you hold any previous passport, you should also submit this with your application.

Evidence of Course:

1. A letter of Acceptance from the college, confirming you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education, involving a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime study each week.


2. This letter should specify the course you will be studying.


3. It should confirm the amount of fees payable for your course, and that this amount has been paid.


4. If the college has taken out medical insurance on your behalf, details of this must be contained in this letter of acceptance.

Ability to Follow Your Chosen Course:

You must provide evidence that you have attained the necessary level of academic achievement required to follow your chosen course.

1. Such evidence will include - exam results, qualifications obtained and certificates proving this level of English

Level of English:

You must show that you have the capacity to fully partake in your chosen course through the medium of English and satisfy the Visa Officer in this regard.

1. It is recommended that all applicants, regardless of nationality or educational background, undertake the IELTS test, and provide the original certificate with your visa application


2. Other acceptalbe certificates will be those from an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or Cambridge or ETAPP
3. Failure to provide such a certificate may result in delays in processing your application, and possible refusal of same.


4. Submission of false or fraudulent certicates with your application will result in it being refused and no appeal will be permitted.
5. Any certificate must have been issued within 2 years of the expected commencement date of your course.
6. The recommended band scores are :
   
   
   1. IELTS : minimum score of 5
   
   
   2. TOEFL : minimum score of
      
      
      1. 173 (Computer-based)
      
      
      2. 61 (Internet-based)
      
      
      3. 500 (Paper-based)
   
   


7. Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) or higher


8. ETAPP Minimum grade of B2

Short -term Preparatory English Language Courses

If you have been accepted on a specific course of studies, but you need, or are required, to complete preparatory course of English prior to commencing your main course, the following requirements apply:

1. English language course must be short term, and not exceed a maximum duration of 6 months


2. You must submit a detailed study plan, including the duration and dates of your preliminary English course, and details and dates of your main course of study


3. Fees for both the English preparatory courses AND the first year of your main course must be paid in full to the college


4. English Language Requirements for such courses:
   
   
   1. IELTS - minimum score of 137 (Computer based), 47 (Internet-based), 457(Paper-based)
   
   
   2. Cambridge - PET (Preliminary English Test)
   
   
   3. ETAPP - Minimum grade of B1

Fees

Where the course fees are less than €6,000, fees must be paid in full to the college, prior to applying for your visa. Evidence of the amount paid should be included in your Letter of Acceptance from the college. Where the course fees are in excess of €6,000, you must pay at least this amount prior to applying for your visa, and evidence of this should be shown in your Letter of Acceptance.

Private Medical Insurance

Every student should have full private medical insurance. Evidence of such insurance cover will be taken to be the Letter of Acceptance provided by the host school, college, university or other education institution.This Letter of Acceptance will contail details of the insurance cover taken out on behalf of each student by the host school, college, university or other educational institution on behalf of the student. Alternative evidence will be taken to be a Certificate of Private Insurance taken out by the student in his or her own country prior to travel.

Family Members:

Applicants should disclose details of family members who are already residing in Ireland or in other EU countries. For this purpose family members include first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or grandparents. The granting of a student visa does not entitle you to have family members join you in Ireland.

Electronic Transfer of Funds:

From the 14th July, 2008, all student visa applications should contain a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds from the applicant to the Irish Bank of the college, showing details of beneficiary's name, address, bank details and the same details for sender.

Applicant's Self-sufficiency:

Applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland, including emergencies, without recourse to State funds

1. Bank statements which clearly identify the holder together with a translation and details of conversion rates at the approximate date of application are required


2. Please note that although you may be permitted to work part-time in Ireland during your Studies, these potential earnings will not be taken into account when assessing your financial capabilities .


3. If your studies were funded by a scholarship please provide details of the funding and a letter in support of this.


4. A statement of purpose explaining why you wish to study in Ireland


5. A detailed Curriculum Vitae with no gaps in history

Employment Details of applicant in Country of origin

If the applicant is in employment the employer must state

1. That all course costs are being met by the Employer or, if the employee is meeting the costs, the employer must state that in the opinion of the employer the employee has the financial resources to meet all such costs


2. The length of leave being granted to the employee and this must not differ from the stated duration of the course on which the applicant has been accepted


3. The purpose of participating in the proposed course of study


4. The applicants level of pay and the currency it is received in


5. 3 Recent passport photographs The granting of a Student Visa does not entitle you to have any family members join you in Ireland.

Decisions

1. The processing times for Student Visa Applications vary depending on the volumen of applications lodged, and the time it takes for an application to reach the Visa section in Dublin from the Embassy in which it was lodged


2. You should allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa but a minimum time of 8 weeks is recommended


3. Visa decisions are published weekly on www.justice.ie can check a decision by entering the Visa Reference Number.

Right of Appeal

If you are refused a visa you may appeal this decision within 2 months Appeals must be submitted in writing to

The Visa Appeals Officer,
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland

If you applied to the Visa Office in Abuja, Beijing, Cairo, London, Moscow or New Delhi, you should submit your appeal to the relevant office

Your appeal should fully address all the reasons for which your application was refused. Any additional supporting documentation should be submitted with your appeal for consideration

You must quote your Visa Reference Number on your appeal, along with your name and nationality.There is no fee payable for appealing a visa refusal decision.

There will be no appeal allowed if you are found to have given false or misleading information in any part of your application, or submitted false, forged or fraudulent documentation.

Re-Entry Visa

1. The initial visa issued to you will be valid for a single entry to the State


2. If you have a valid reason for leaving the State for a short period of time you must apply, in advance of making any arrangments, to the Department of Foreign Affairs, for a re-entry visa.


3. You must be able to prove you will be continuing with your studies on your return to the State


4. Before a re-entry visa can be issued, you must be registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau


5. For information on how and where you can apply for a Re-Entry visa please see link to 'Re-entry Visas' on www.justice.ie


6. It is your responsbility to ensure you have the correct visa (where relevant) for the country you intend travelling to


7. Note: A visa must be obtained from the UK authorities prior to travelling to Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland consists of Counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone)

Study Visa Renewal

You are responsible for renewing your GNIB registration card each time it expires. It will usually expire at the end of your academic year, and must be renewed for the coming academic year of your course. To renew your GNIB registration card, you will need a letter from the collegel with details of your course and your course attendance over the past year. Note that if your attendance is low, you may not be given permission to stay for the next year of your course

Entitlement to take up casual employment

Only students attending a full time course of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Department of Education and Science will be entitled to take up casual employment (defined as up to 20 hours part time work per week or full time work during college vacation periods).

Access to employment is denied to all other students

Casual employment is defined as up to a maximum of 20 hours part time work per week, or full time work during normal college vacation periods. Such work should not interfere with your course attendance, as failure to provide evidence of a satisfactory attendance record will result in refusal of any extension to your permission to remain.

The entitlement to casual employment will cease on completion of your college course .

The stamp placed in your passport by GNIB will indicate whether or not you are permitted to take up casual employment.

If you are in doubt about this you should check with GNIB before you accept any job offer.

Any breach of your visa conditions will lead to a review of your case and possible removal from the State