Immigration Post-Arrival

All students from non-EU/EEA countries, including those from non-visa required countries, are required to register with immigration within three months (90 days) of their arrival.

• On arrival at the University of Limerick you will be required to book an Immigration appointment. Appointments for 1^st time registration can be booked by using the Freephone number (1800 800 630) Operators are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to arrange appointments.  When contacting Immigration for an appointment you will need to provide them with your Passport Number and your email address.
• The operator will provide you with a time and a date for your appointment.  These details will also be sent to the email address that you provided the operator with. 
• Appointments will be scheduled Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
• Your Appointment will be carried out at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2
• Printed copies of the Required Documents - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)  relevant to your permission will be required. Electronic copies of documents are not accepted.
• If you do not have the required documentation with you at your appointment, the immigration officer will be unable to complete your registration and issue an Irish Residence Permit card. You will be required to book a return appointment to the Registration Office to complete your registration.
• On the day of your appointment, you will be required to pay a fee of €300. Please note: Immigration only accept credit/debit card payments. They are unable to accept cash, cheques, or contactless payments.
• Please refer to this link for answers to frequently asked questions regarding your immigration registration.

Please note that the Immigration Registration process is covered in detail during the mandatory Immigration Information session during Orientation week.

No, your new IRP card will be posted directly to the address provided with your application. It is essential that you provide a full and accurate address, including the Eircode. If you live in an apartment block, the apartment number must be included along with the full apartment address.

To renew your Immigration permissions you will need to submit an application using the ISD Online Renewal Portal. Renewal applicants are not required to attend the Burgh Quay Registration office in person to renew an immigration permission unless it is deemed necessary.

You must upload all of the documents required with your application before submitting it, otherwise your application cannot be processed.

Please note that all applications, nationwide, for renewal of residence permission, including when changing Stamp category, are accepted by the Registration Office up to 12 weeks prior to expiry of a current IRP card to allow sufficient time for processing.

ISD Online Processing Times - The Immigration Service website provides a live processing update for online renewal applications being processed. To ensure an equitable service delivery, applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

Guide to engaging with ISD online renewal services - Please read the step-by-step user guide on engaging with ISD services for further information.

Exemption from renewal fees - Certain applicants for first registration and renewal of residence permission are exempted from payment of the €300 registration fee if they:

• Have refugee status;
• Have subsidiary protection status;
• Have leave to remain under Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015;
• Are aged between 16 and 18 years of age;
• Are resident based on marriage to an Irish citizen;
• Are a family member of an EU citizen;
• Are Ukrainian citizens and certain foreign nationals’ resident in the State as a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection.

International students that hold an immigration Sstamp 2 are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the university term. During the holiday period students can work on a full time basis – up to 40 hours per week. This means you can work for 20 hours per week during term time or full-time (up to 40 hours) during June, July, August and September inclusive and between 15th December and 15th January. Study Abroad students and students that hold an immigration stamp 2A category are not permitted to work in Ireland.

In order to work in Ireland you must have a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.  A PPS Number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters. To apply for a PPS number please refer to this link that leads you to the gov.ie website. Please note that you cannot apply for a PPS number until you have registered your immigration permissions with the Department of Justice.

Students enrolled on a degree programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms an integral part of their course.

If you are going to be out of the country for 6 months or more you cannot renew your Irish Immigration permissions prior to leaving. Visa required students are required to apply for an Irish re-entry visa approximately 8 weeks prior to returning to UL. Once back in Ireland you will be required to renew your immigration permissions within 90 days or your arrival.

The Graduate scheme enables non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for a period of time after they have graduated from their respective course. During this period of time they can seek employment and work in Ireland without an employment permit.  Entry to the scheme is facilitated by application and the start of the scheme is based on the official receipt of exam results. For a full explanation of the scheme and requirements, please visit this Link.

Twelve Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired a Bachelor’s Degree i.e. level 8 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

Twenty Four Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired a Master’s Degree, a Post-Graduate Diploma or a Doctorate Degree, i.e. a qualification from level 9 – 10 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

To apply for the Third Level Graduate Scheme you will need to submit an application using the ISD Online Renewal Portal.

ISD Online Processing Times - The Immigration Service website provides a live processing update for online renewal applications being processed. To ensure an equitable service delivery, applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

You must upload all of the documents required with your application before submitting it, otherwise your application cannot be processed.

Application Documents Required

• An original letter signed by the College Registrar (on the headed paper of the College) stating that the applicant has completed the course of study satisfactorily, the award classification, and the date results were made available. An 'Awaiting Graduation' letter can be used for this purpose and can be requested through the Student Portal following the release of your official final exam results. 
• Current passport
• Existing IRP Card
• Medical Insurance for 12 months
• Official UL transcripts
• A payment of €300 by credit/debit card (cash not accepted)

Guide to engaging with ISD online renewal services - Please read the step-by-step user guide on engaging with ISD services for further information.

Applications for an Extension of Student Permission can be made online. Please log into the ISD Online Portal. Online applications allow applicants to more easily fill in the relevant form, upload the required documents and submit an application. It is no longer necessary to upload a full copy of your passport. Only the biodata page of your passport should be uploaded on the online portal. If any further documents are required, they will be requested.

ISD Online Processing Times - The Immigration Service website provides a live processing update for online renewal applications being processed. To ensure an equitable service delivery, applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

You must upload all of the documents required with your application before submitting it, otherwise your application cannot be processed.

Once registered at the University of Limerick, students can generate their own letters through the Student Portal.

The Confirmation of Registration and Attendance/Enrolment letter can and should be used for the following purposes:

• Immigration Registration
• Immigration Renewal
• Bank of Ireland (BOI) - Account opening
• Allied Irish Bank (AIB) - Account opening
• Personal Public Service (PPS) number application

Please note: The letter is only available to those who have completed module registration.  If you are unable to access this letter please contact Academic Registry directly, you can do this here or via StudentHub@ul.ie