Comparing to other countries the requirements for student visa of Ireland are quite simple. I’ll talk about the requirements for the most common type of course, 6 months of general English, which afford you a 1 year visa, counting the other 6 months like vacation. With this visa you can work 4 hours during your English course and 8 hours during your vacation period.
The citizens of most countries don’t need to apply for a visa before coming to Ireland, check here if you need a visa. To enter in Ireland you need a letter of the school, a letter of your accomodation and the boarding pass of your fly back. The immigration control at the airport will give 30 days to apply for the visa at Garda National Immigration Bureau. After your 30 days if you don’t have a visa and travel to other country, this country will not let you enter and send you back to Ireland, which can even deport you.
To apply for the visa you need:
- A letter of the school (a different one)
- Evidence of medical insurance
- Bank statement proving that you have € 3000
- Pay the €150 fee (you can’t pay in cash)
There they’ll give you the GNIB card, your visa. GNIB means Garda National Immigration Bureau. You must register at GNIB offices at 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
***From November 19 onwards the GNIB card fee will be € 300. So instead of € 150 as stated above, it will be € 300.