If you are a non-EU citizen you will be required to have a Study Visa to enter Ireland. However, you are exempt from this if you are from any of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Czech Rep, Estonia, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep South), Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay.

While it is your or your agent’s responsibility to apply for the visa, the School of English will give all reasonable assistance to you in your visa application process.

The following steps are required to apply for a visa:

1. School receives fully completed Booking Form which indicates your course, exact dates of commencement and completion of course, exact dates of planned arrival and departure, and exact dates of Host Family Accommodation.
2. The school will then issue an Invoice.
3. Payment for the courses by visa clients must be paid to a segregated account (escrow account). Erin School of English is delighted to be able to offer non-EU students the option of paying their programme fees via PaytoStudy (Transfermate).
4. On notice of payment, School issues a Letter of Admission detailing the course and period of stay along with acknowledgement of fees paid.
5. Students can then apply to the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate. The Letter of Admission is necessary to complete the application.
6. Visa conditions can vary. Some Embassies will need other supporting documentation. For example:
   • Letter from Employer as proof of returning to work in home country
   • Letter from University/ College as proof of returning to studies
   • Bank Statements from applicant with translations and conversion rates
   • Letter of financial sponsorship.
   • Proof of Medical Insurance

For more information contact:

Department of Foreign Affairs
The Visa Office
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 4780822 (open from 14.30 to 16.00 Monday to Friday)
Web site: www.irlgov.ie/iveagh

Apply for Visa: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Study

Financial requirements for study visas
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Student%20Finances.pdf/Files/Student%20Finances.pdf

• VALID PASSPORT

  There should be no less than 6 months validity on the passport from the date of the course’s completion. If available, copies of previous passports exhibiting the immigration history of the applicant should be provided. All pages, not just those with valid visas must be included.

• EVIDENCE OF COURSE

  The college should provide an original letter, indicating that the person has been accepted on a full-time course of education (specify subject) entailing 15 hours or more study in a privately funded course. Provisional letters offering a place are not acceptable.

• FEES

  Evidence must be supplied that the course fees have been paid in full.

• 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 educational institution.

• 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.

• APPLICANT’S CHARACTER

  There should be nothing in the person’s personal history which would give rise to concerns on public policy, public security or public health grounds. Occasionally, applications are refused on these grounds, despite the production of all of the required documents for reasons which will not be disclosed.

• 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. This is important as recourse to State funds might have a detrimental effect on the person’s future immigration prospects.

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

• APPLICANT’S PROFILE

  The applicant’s profile should appear to match the course of studies proposed. Colleges should endeavour either through interview or through their agents to satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of the prospective student. Information regarding checks/interviews of the candidate which have been undertaken by the school or its agents can be submitted in support of the application.The applicant’s prospects of obtaining a visa are enhanced by the submission of verified details of their profile, including family background, history of study etc.

• EMPLOYMENT DETAILS OF APPLICANT IN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

  If the applicant is in employment the Employer must state

  • 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
  • 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
  • the purpose of participation in the proposed course of study
  • the applicant’s level of pay and the currency it’s received in.

• CONSISTENCY WITHIN APPLICATION

  None of the details within the application or its supporting documentation should be of a conflicting nature, e.g. the proposed length of stay on the application form should not conflict with the verified course acceptance.

• CHANGE OF STATUS

  Full details of course duration should be disclosed in the initial application in so far as they are known.If there is any probability that a person intends to study for longer than 90 days (3 months) they should ensure that they apply for a ‘D’ study visa. Persons who seek to study for less than this period can apply for a ‘C’ study visa.

  In the case of an applicant with a ‘C’ visa, extensions of permission to remain will only be entertained where a written request is made to the visa appeals officer and will be given in very exceptional circumstances only. The following details must be supplied to allow the request to be considered and applications that do not supply all the required documents will be refused.

  • Itemised details of payment of relevant fees and proof of payment.
  • Details of the course of studies proposed
  • Accommodation details identifying host family
  • Evidence of financial self sufficiency, all financial details should identify the student
  • Details of the student’s attendance at the initial course of studies must be lodged
  • The particular circumstances of the applicant will be a major issue in the decision
  • A copy of the passport exhibiting the original visa must be lodged

• RIGHT OF APPEAL

  Any decision to refuse a visa can be appealed by writing to:

  Visa Appeals Officer,
  Immigration Division,
  Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform,
  72-76 St. Stephen’s Green,
  Dublin 2.

  Only written appeals will be dealt with.
  The visa reference number, decision number and nationality will facilitate processing.
  Obviously the success of an appeal will be enhanced if the appellant is in a position to forward additional supporting documentation in favour of the application or to submit a document previously omitted.

• LEAVE TO LAND

  Although a visa is a form of pre-entry clearance, it does not guarantee entry to the State.
  Immigration officers at point of entry are entitled to deny access and to question students regarding their bonafides.

• RE-ENTRY VISAS

  Students who have a valid reason for leaving the State during their period of study and who can show that they are genuinely continuing with their studies may apply for re-entry visas.

Grounds for a refund or partial refund of fees:
–
a) Irish Study Visa extension refusal (for students who are not successful in obtaining their visa). Any
application for a refund must be made in writing and must be accompanied by both a copy of the rejection
letter from the GNIB and a copy of their stamped passport.

Please note: the rejection letter issued by the GNIB will be evaluated by the School in order to
assess grounds for any refund who have complete discretion in arriving at a decision as to whether or not a
refund is appropriate. All original letters issued by the school along with the student’s GNIB card must be
returned to the School administration before any refund can be considered.

b) If an aspect of the application for a refund or cancellation includes an illness or disability suffered after the
student’s enrolment has been confirmed. In any such instance, a doctor’s certificate would be required to
confirm.

c) Upon arrival in Dublin, should any student be refused access into Ireland for any reason, any application for
a refund must be made in writing and be accompanied by both a copy of the rejection letter from the GNIB and
a copy of their stamped passport. Please note: the rejection letter issued by the GNIB will be evaluated by
School  in order to assess grounds for any refund and it will have complete discretion in arriving at
a decision as to whether or not a refund is an appropriate

i) A refund will only be granted in respect of fees that have been paid for the most recent year in which (a), (b)
or (c) occurs. There is no automatic right to a refund of fees if at any time a student changes his/her mind about
studying at the School.

ii) After course commencement, any student wishing to submit a refund request for any reasons as specifically
detailed above (a, b or c) will be required to have achieved a minimum attendance of 85% in accordance with
GNIB student visa requirements at the time of request.

iii) If a student withdraws after course commencement no refund will be given.

iv) Students that are found to have provided incorrect information, resulting in their visa being refused, shall
be exempt from any form of refund.

v) Please note an administration fee of €300, plus €150 for health insurance fee (if already applied) and plus
€150 for learner protection (if already applied), will be deducted from all refunds given.

vi) If you miss your flight or it is delayed you must notify the school or your agent in advance, otherwise, the
the transfer may not be refunded.

vii) Also, if you give up or stop staying at the accommodation during the period booked, a refund will not be
given.

viii) If the refund is applicable, it must be requested online through  (Refund Form).
The period for refund is from 6 to 10 weeks.