Pre-Arrival

If you are a non-EEA national coming to study in Ireland for longer than 90 days you must be enrolled in a full-time day time course or programme on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Student permission to remain in Ireland for longer than 90 days will only be granted if you have enrolled on and started a programme listed on the ILEP. Part-time, online or distance learning courses do not qualify for student Immigration permissions.

The ILEP includes the following types of programmes or courses:

  • English language programmes
  • Higher education programmes
  • Professional awards
  • Foundation programmes

Students from EU countries do not need a visa to study in Ireland.

If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you need to check here if you need a visa to study.

Students from visa-required countries should apply for a study visa up to 3 months prior to departure. Guidelines on applying for an Irish visa are available here and here on the Irish Immigration Service website. 

Please note, all students from non-EU/EEA countries, including those from non-visa required countries are required to register with immigration within 90 days of arrival in Ireland.  The UL Global office team will guide you through this immigration registration process during Orientation.

Guidelines on applying for an Irish visa are available here on the Irish Immigration Service website. You can also contact your local Irish Diplomatic Mission for advice on visa applications. A list of Irish embassies and consulates can be found here  In the event that there is no local Irish Diplomatic Mission, you should contact the Visa Section at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS): +353 1 6167700 or visamail@justice.ie.

The visa application system is an online system. Information on this system is available here.

No, students are typically not permitted to bring family members with them with the exception of PhD students.  There are some very exceptional circumstances where this may be permitted.  Please refer to this link for more information.

You may be asked to present documentation to the Airport Immigration officials on arrival in Ireland.  We recommend that you carry the below documentation on your person or in your hand luggage.

  • UL offer email
  • Proof of Term Address
  • Proof of Medical/Travel Insurance
  • Proof that you have paid 50% of your tuition fees

The list below gives you a general idea of what is required. You can find up-to-date information on the study visa application process and the documentation requirements on the Irish Immigration Website

  • Valid passport
  • UL offer email from the University of Limerick indicating that you have been offered a place on a full-time programme (please note that you can PDF this offer email yourself once received. Instructions for how to do so are contained within the offer email. Alternatively, please email ULGlobal@ul.ie for a PDF version of the offer email).
  • Visa Support Letter from UL - UL uses Digitary, a secure online document platform to enable applicants, students, and graduates to access certified and secure electronic documents. The Visa Support Letter for applicants is available through Digitary and is issued upon payment of fees. Note for full degree undergraduate and postgraduate applicants: this letter will only be issued to you automatically upon payment of 50% of tuition fees. Students in receipt of a tuition fee scholarship will also need to provide supporting scholarship documentation to the ULl Global office at ULGlobal@ul.ie and as part of their visa application.
  • Proof of payment of tuition fees (which can be paid through TransferMate) Please note that official TransferMate receipts can be used as evidence of payment.
  • All visa required students who intend commencing their studies in Ireland, will be required to show evidence that they have immediate access to at least €10,000 per year of their studies. This is the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months, they must have access to €700 per month of their stay or €4,200, whichever is the lesser. Information on Student Finances can be found on the Irish Immigration Services website.
  • Proof of medical insurance. Travel Insurance will be accepted for the purposes of Immigration in the 1st year of study only.
  • In some cases proof of English is required, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. More information on English language requirements for study visas can be found on the Irish immigration website here.

UL uses Digitary, an online secure document platform to enable applicants, students, and graduates to access certified and secure electronic documents. The Visa Support Letter for applicants is available through Digitary and is issued automatically upon payment of tuition fees. More information on Digitary.

Full degree undergraduate and postgraduate applicants will automatically be issued a Visa Support letter on receipt of 50% payment of tuition fees. The visa support letter will state that you have paid a minimum of 50% of the tuition fee as this is the required amount to apply for a student visa. Students that have paid more than 50% or have paid their tuition in full can submit evidence of this with their visa application in the form of a tuition fee receipt or a TransferMate payment notification. Students in receipt of a tuition fee scholarship will need to provide supporting scholarship documentation to the UL Global office at ULGlobal@ul.ie to obtain a Visa support letter.  The scholarship letter will also need to be submitted as part of the visa application.

Purchasing medical insurance is an immigration requirement for non-EEA students. The University of Limerick recommends purchasing medical insurance through Arachas Corporate Brokers., Arachas offer a number of plans tailored to non-EEA international students. If you are a non-EEA student undertaking an academic course of a duration of 12 months or less, you can purchase medical insurance with Arachas directly through TransferMate. 

 

Other companies providing private medical insurance include Aviva Ireland, Laya Healthcare and  VHI Healthcare .  For the purposes of Immigration, Travel Insurance is accepted for the 1st year of studies however we do recommend that you have Medical insurance to ensure that you have full medical cover while studying in Ireland.

You can obtain your offer email from the GPS admitting office by emailing GPS@ul.ie

If you have booked and secured on-campus accommodation at UL you will receive a confirmation booking from the Accommodation office.,  The Accommodations office can be contacted at Accommodation@ul.ie. If you have made your accommodation payment using TransferMate you can use your official TransferMate payment notification as evidence of your accommodation booking for the purposes of your visa application. If you have opted for off-campus accommodation your landlord/lady will provide you with a tenancy agreement and a receipt of payment, both of these documents can be submitted as part of your visa application.

Students can print an official Fees receipt by logging into the application portal and clicking on “My Application” and selecting the link “Fee Receipt Self Service”. If you have made your tuition fee payment using TransferMate you can use your official TransferMate payment notification as evidence that your tuition has been paid. .If you are in receipt of a tuition Scholarship you will need to submit evidence of this as part of your visa application also.

In the event that your visa is denied you will receive a full tuition fee refund.  In order to apply for the refund you will need to provide evidence to the UL Global Office that your visa has been denied.  This document can be sent to ulglobal@ul.ie

In the event that you do not meet the entry requirements as per your offer email you are eligible for a full-tuition fee refund.  In order to apply for the refund you can notify the UL Global office at ULGlobal@ul.ie

On Arrival at UL

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 1st 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 Stamp 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. 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