International Office

Pre-Arrival Information

Immigration Regulations

Visas

You do not require an entry visa for Ireland if you are a EU citizen. However, you should bring with you your letter of confirmation of a place at DCU and some proof that you have sufficient financial resources for your stay.

If you are not an EU citizen, the situation varies, so please contact your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate to find out whether or not you require an entry visa or you may enquire from the Department of Foreign Affairs at the address provided below. The Department also provides a list of countries whose citizens require visas for Ireland. Please see below for a list of non-EU countries whose citizens do not require visas.

The following addresses will provide you with detailed information on immigration:

Department of Foreign Affairs
80 St Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2
Tel: 353 1 4780822
Fax: +353-1-6331052/1053
Website: www.dfa.ie

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website
Visa Section
Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Website: www.inis.gov.ie
Telephone (within Ireland): Lo-call 1890 551 500
(Helpline available 10:00am to 12:30pm Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays)
Telephone (from outside Ireland): + 353 1 6167700
(Helpline available 10:00am to 12:30pm Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays)
Email: visamail@justice.ie

Applicants are asked to supply the following information when applying for a visa to their local Irish Embassies:

Valid passport number
Date of issue and expiry of passport
Date, place and mode of arrival in Ireland
Letter from the University indicating that you have been offered a place in DCU
Letter from University indicating that the fees have been paid in full
Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for the proposed stay
Recent passport photographs
Visa application fee (non-refundable)
Proof of medical insurance
In some cases proof of English, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required

These documents should be sent to your local Irish Embassy. Visa applications can take between 2 and 8 months to process, so it is advisable to secure a place early at the University, in order to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately the University has no control or influence over visa issues but will advise where possible.

INDIA

Applicants from INDIA please note that the visa office New Delhi has revised the timescales for the Irish visa processing of student visas to 4 Weeks (Approval in Principle 5 weeks)

Processing may take longer at certain times of the year or depending on the complexity of the application.

The onus is on the applicant, to ensure that the full, complete application is submitted in sufficient time for a decision to be made before date of arrival.

Registration with the Immigration Authorities in Ireland:

Students from outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)

After arriving in Ireland, all students from outside the EU or the EEA must register at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (link to http://www.gnib.ie/ ) (GNIB). The date by which you must do so will be indicated by the Immigration Authorities at your point of arrival into Ireland. Please bear in mind that a visa only permits you to enter Ireland and does not guarantee you a right to remain in the country so you must register within the timeframe indicated. It is important to note that on entering Ireland you will be given a status by the immigration officers that cannot be changed within the State, e.g. if you enter as a tourist you may not change this status to a student without leaving Ireland and re-entering.

When registering with GNIB you will need to take along:

A valid passport
An entry visa (where applicable)
Student Card from DCU, valid for the current year
Evidence of financial support (e.g. current bank statement indicating your name / a letter of guarantee from a parent or guardian indicating the availability of sufficient funds to cover you during your period of stay in Ireland / letter from your sponsor, confirming financial status)
Proof of your residential address in Dublin, e.g. a utility bill showing your name and address or a letter from your landlord/student residence confirming your address.
A letter from DCU indicating that you are a registered student at DCU
There is a Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform charge of €300 each time you register. This can be paid by credit card. Otherwise the Immigration Officer will issue you with a bank giro form and request you to complete this and return again with confirmation that it has been paid.

(Please check the dates of registration for International Students on the DCU webpage - http://www.dcu.ie/registry/registration.shtml You will be issued with a DCU student card on this day and will then be able to register with the authorities.)

Re-entry Visas

Your first visa for Ireland will be a single entry visa. If you have a valid reason for leaving Ireland for a short period of time, you must apply for a Re-entry visa in advance of making any arrangements. The International Office will provide you with a letter for this purpose provided that you have registered with GNIB and are attending your course. Supporting evidence of the above will be requested before a letter can be issued. If you are travelling from Ireland to a country other than your own country, it is your responsibility to find out if you require a visa for the third country. 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. You will also require a visa to re-enter the Republic of Ireland. A multi-entry visa will allow you to leave and re-enter the State any number of times within the dates shown on your visa.

Study Visa Renewal

You are responsible for renewing your GNIB registration card each time it expires. If you are doing a degree over a number of years, you must renew your card for the coming academic year. The International Office will issue you a letter to support this provided you have been attending your course and fulfilling all the necessary requirements. Any breach of your visa conditions will lead to a review of your case and possible removal from the State and/or bar on re-entry. Garda National Immigration Bureau Address Garda National Immigration Bureau 13-14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 Tel: +353-1-6669100

E-mail at gnib_dv@garda.ie

Usual Opening Hours: 9.30.am to 10.pm. Monday - Thursday & 9.30 am to 4pm Friday.

Students from the EU/EEA:

It is not necessary for students from the EU or EEA to register with the immigration authorities.

Checklist of Documents Needed on Arrival

Please ensure that you have the following documents upon arrival in Ireland:

EU/EEA Citizens:

Passport
European Health Insurance Card
Acceptance letter from the Registry in DCU or CAO confirmation slip

Non-EU Citizens:

Passport
Birth Certificate
Entry Visa (if applicable)
Private Health Insurance
Acceptance letter from the Registry in DCU
Letter from DCU, stating that you have paid your fees in full

List of Countries Whose Passport Holders Do Not Require Visas to Enter Ireland:

Andorra
Austria
Belize
Brunei
Croatia
Dominica
Finland
Grenada
Hong Kong (SAR)*
Italy
Korea (Rep of South)
Lithuania
Malta
Nauru
Macau (SAR)
Poland
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Slovenia
Swaziland
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
Western Samoa
Slovak Republic

Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Bolivia
Canada
Cyprus
El Salvador
France
Guatemala
Hungary
Latvia
Luxembourg
Mauritius
Netherlands
Maldives
Portugal
Solomon Islands
Sweden
Tuvala
Vanuata
Paraguay

Argentina
Barbados
Botswana
Chile
Czech Republic
Estonia
Germany
Guyana
Iceland
Japan
Lesotho
Malawi
Mexico
New Zealand
Norway
Saint Kitts and Nevis
San Marino
South Africa
Switzerland
U.S.A.
Vatican City
Romania

Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Costa Rica
Denmark
Fiji
Greece
Honduras
Israel
Kiribati
Liechtenstein
Malaysia
Monaco
Nicaragua
Panama
Saint Lucia
Seychelles
Spain
Tonga
UK & Colonies**
Venezuela
Bulgaria

Hong Kong (SAR)*

A person in possession of a Hong Kong Certificate of Identify requires an entry visa for the State. Persons who are holders of British Hong Kong Passport who have a right of abode in Great Britain do not require entry visas. Persons who are holders of a British Hong Kong Passport who have a right of abode in Hong Kong only do not require entry visas but they are subject to full foreign national controls in respect of registration, permission to remain, work permits etc.

**British Dependent Territories (Colonies):

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands), British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago, Peros Banos, Diego Garcia, Danger Island), Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands and Dependencies, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn (Henderson, Ducie and Oneno Islands), St. Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Tristan Da Cunha), The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia), Turks and Caicos Island, British Virgin Islands.

Transit Visas Are Required by Citizens of the Following:

Afghanistan
Democratic Republic of Congo
Iraq
Montenegro
Somalia Albania
Ethiopia
Ghana
Lebanon
Nigeria
Sri Lanka Cuba
Erritrea
Iran
Moldova
Serbia

The above information is currently accurate. However, please consult the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland regularly for changes to the above: www.dfa.ie