Study Spectra

Ireland student visa from India: requirements, funds, Stamp 2 and the steps

Indian students need a long-stay D study visa for courses over 90 days. You apply through AVATS and the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, with an acceptance letter for a full-time eligible course, proof of at least €10,000 per year, fee payment evidence, English and academic proof and medical insurance. After arrival you register and receive Stamp 2.

What do Indian students need to get an Ireland student visa?

The short answer

If your course lasts more than 90 days, the Irish Immigration Service says a visa-required student needs a long-stay D visa. Indian passport holders are visa-required, so the route is: pick an eligible full-time course, get a letter of acceptance, pay the minimum fees, build your funds evidence, apply online on AVATS, lodge documents as the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi directs, then register your permission after you land. That registration is what gives you Stamp 2, the student permission.

A visa lets you travel to Ireland; it does not give permission to enter. The Irish Immigration Service states you can be refused entry even with a visa, so carry copies of your application documents when you fly. Nothing here is a promise of approval: every decision rests with the visa officer and the immigration authorities.

Requirements at a glance

Figures below are as shown by the Irish Immigration Service in October 2026, with the Embassy of Ireland India page for the local fee. Confirm each on the official page before you pay or book anything.

Requirement	What the official pages say
Visa type	Long-stay D visa if you stay more than 90 days; short-stay C visa for under 90 days. The apply page also words it as more than 3 months.
Course	Full-time, day-time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland eligible programmes list. The study-options page says to check both lists. Part-time and distance courses do not qualify for student permission.
Letter of acceptance	From the college. It must confirm a full-time course with at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition a week, name the course, state fees payable and fees paid, and state medical insurance if the college arranged it.
Fees paid before applying	Under €6,000: pay in full. Over €6,000: pay at least €6,000. The colleges may ask for more.
Funds	At least €10,000 immediately accessible for courses starting after 1 July 2023, plus ready access to at least €10,000 for each later year in addition to course fees. Courses under 8 months: €833 per month or €6,665, whichever is less.
English	Minimum for visa purposes for non-language courses includes IELTS Academic 5.0, PTE Academic 30, TOEFL iBT 61, Duolingo 75. Certificate issued within 2 years of course start. Your college can ask for more.
Passport	Valid for at least 12 months after the date you plan to arrive in Ireland.
Medical insurance	Private medical insurance is required, arranged by the college or by you.
Visa fee	€60 single entry, €100 multi entry on the Irish Immigration fee page. The Embassy of Ireland India page lists ₹5,300 single entry and ₹9,000 multiple entry, with additional VFS service charges.

Step by step: applying from India

Choose a full-time programme and check it on both the ILEP and the TrustEd Ireland eligible programmes list. See our Ireland study page for the wider picture of studying in Ireland.
Apply to the college and obtain the letter of acceptance with the details listed above.
Pay the minimum fees to the college by bank transfer or an approved student fees payment service. The Irish Immigration Service says colleges cannot accept cash.
Prepare funds evidence: six months of bank statements for you and any sponsors, with large or irregular lodgements explained. Credit cards are not accepted as evidence. Use our document readiness checker to track what you still need.
Create your application on AVATS, answer every question fully and honestly, then print, sign and date the Summary Application Form.
Pay the visa fee and lodge as the Embassy of Ireland India page directs. For residents of India it says to book an appointment at a VFS Visa Application Centre; biometrics are required for applicants aged 5 or over unless exempt. The embassy page says your passport is retained until decision.
Apply up to 3 months before your date of travel, and avoid buying tickets before you know the outcome. The Irish Immigration Service asks applicants not to.
After landing, present your documents to the immigration officer, then register your permission in Ireland. First-time registration costs €300 and requires an appointment.

Documents checklist

The Irish Immigration Service lists these for a long-stay study visa. Hard copies of originals are required unless stated; documents not in English or Irish need a full certified translation. Documents on USB sticks or file-sharing links are not accepted.

Signed and dated AVATS Summary Application Form and proof of visa fee payment
Current passport, plus photocopies of every page of previous passports if available
Two passport-sized colour photographs, not older than 6 months, signed and marked with your AVATS transaction number on the back
Application letter covering your reason for coming, planned arrival and departure dates, family in Ireland or the EU, and why the course relates to your history (or why it does not, with evidence)
Letter of acceptance and proof of fee payment (bank transfer record or approved payment service receipt)
Evidence of academic ability (marks, qualifications) and of English ability
Gaps in education or employment explained, with a full employment history
Bank statements, sponsor evidence and the Summary of Finances form
Private medical insurance evidence
Details of any past visa refusals for any country, with the original refusal letter. Not disclosing a refusal will result in refusal
Extra items for unaccompanied students under 18: birth certificate, notarised consent of both parents or guardians, accommodation details and vetting clearance

Costs as published

Costs as shown by the Irish Immigration Service in October 2026 and by the Embassy of Ireland India: visa fee €60 (single) or €100 (multi) on the Irish fee page, and ₹5,300 or ₹9,000 on the embassy page for applicants in India, plus VFS service charges that the embassy page says apply but does not quantify. The visa fee is not refunded if you withdraw or are refused.

Your separate budget must still show €10,000 of living-cost funds for the first year, minimum tuition payment, health insurance and, after arrival, the €300 registration fee. For a wider budgeting view see study abroad costs and proof of funds. Tuition itself is set by each college; the Irish Immigration Service does not publish it.

Stamp 2: work, time limits and what happens after

The Irish Immigration Service student pathway says registered students on Stamp 2 student conditions can work 20 hours a week in term time and 40 hours a week during vacation periods, with no employment permit. It defines vacation time as June, July, August and September, and 15 December to 15 January.

Total study time: up to seven years on the student pathway, counting earlier study in Ireland.
English-language study: up to three courses of eight months each (two years), with 85% attendance and an end-of-course exam; then you must move to an ILEP higher education programme.
Degree students must show progression to renew permission.
Family: students are typically not permitted to bring family members, except in very exceptional circumstances.
Graduates: the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) lets graduates with an Irish level 8 award seek work for 12 months; the pathway page also describes up to 24 months for level 9 or above. See post-study work visas compared.

Scams and red flags

Anyone promising that your visa will be approved. The Irish Immigration Service says sending documents does not guarantee success and each case is judged on its merits.
Fake bank statements or borrowed funds shown briefly. The Irish Immigration Service warns that false or misleading information or documents can mean refusal and, in some cases, no appeal and a ban of up to 5 years from getting an Irish visa.
Cash fee demands. The Irish Immigration Service says ILEP providers cannot accept fees in cash.
A course or college that is on neither the ILEP nor the TrustEd Ireland list. Student permission is only granted on an eligible programme.
Hidden costs. Providers must list all costs in advance, including exam fees.
Agents who are not named by the college. The Irish Immigration Service says providers must publish the names of the recruitment agents they deal with.
Lookalike sites or payment links for visa fees. Use only the Embassy of Ireland India and Irish Immigration Service pages, and read our trust page for how we work.

What the official pages do not say

No visa success or rejection rate is published on the pages we read, so any percentage you see elsewhere is not from them.
The Irish Immigration Service page says decisions are expected within approximately 8 weeks of receipt, but also says times vary. The Embassy of Ireland India page gives no figure. Some sites quote 4 to 8 weeks or 20 working days; we found no official source for those.
Some agency blogs say the funds requirement rose to €12,000. The Irish Immigration finances page we read (last updated June 30, 2025) states €10,000. Check that page again before you apply.
The Irish Immigration pages differ on graduate permission: one lists 12 months for level 8 and 24 months for level 9 or above, while another answer says 12 months for level 8 or 9.
The VFS service charge for India is not stated on the embassy page, and the study-visa pages do not set out a normal India-specific document checklist beyond the general list, so confirm the exact lodging steps on your AVATS Summary Form.
The Irish Immigration Service lists no tuition levels, accommodation costs or cost-of-living figures beyond the €10,000 funds minimum.

About Study Spectra

Study Spectra is a trading name of Spectravault Group LLP. We provide information and document-preparation support; immigration, visa and admission decisions rest solely with the relevant authorities and institutions. We do not currently hold an eMigrate recruiting-agent registration and we do not place people into overseas jobs. Explore our student visa overview, compare UK and Germany routes, or use our services and contact page if you want help organising documents. See also UK student visa from India and Germany student visa and blocked account.

Official sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-21. Information only, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indian students need a visa to study in Ireland?

Yes. Indian passport holders are visa-required. For courses over 90 days, the Irish Immigration Service says to apply for a long-stay D visa. Shorter courses use a short-stay C visa. Confirm your nationality status on the official page.

How much money must I show for an Ireland student visa?

The Irish Immigration finances page (last updated June 30, 2025) says at least €10,000 with immediate access for courses starting after 1 July 2023, plus ready access to €10,000 for each later year in addition to fees. Shorter courses use €833 per month or €6,665, whichever is lesser.

How much tuition must I pay before applying?

If fees are under €6,000, pay in full. If they are over €6,000, pay at least €6,000. This is the immigration minimum, and your college can ask for full payment. Evidence should appear on your letter of acceptance.

What is the Ireland student visa fee for Indian applicants?

The Irish Immigration fee page lists €60 single entry and €100 multi entry. The Embassy of Ireland India page lists ₹5,300 and ₹9,000, with extra VFS service charges, as seen in October 2026. Fees are not refunded if you are refused.

How long does an Irish study visa take?

The Irish Immigration Service says applicants can expect a decision within approximately 8 weeks from receipt, though it can take longer if documents are missing or need verification. Apply up to 3 months before travel and do not buy tickets before the decision.

What is Stamp 2 and can I work on it?

Stamp 2 is the student permission you receive when you register in Ireland. The Irish Immigration Service says students on it can work 20 hours a week in term time and 40 hours during vacation periods without an employment permit.

Can I bring my family on a student visa?

The Irish Immigration Service says students are typically not permitted to bring family members, except in very exceptional circumstances. Check the official student FAQ before planning for a spouse or children.

Which English scores are accepted for the visa?

For non-language courses the Irish Immigration list includes IELTS Academic 5.0, PTE Academic 30, TOEFL iBT 61 and Duolingo 75, issued within 2 years of course start. Colleges often set higher scores, so follow your college's requirement.

Can I stay and work after graduating?

The Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) allows eligible Irish-educated graduates to stay and look for work: 12 months for level 8, and the Irish Immigration pathway page also describes up to 24 months for level 9 or above. It has limits on total years as a student.

What if my visa is refused?

The Irish Immigration Service says you receive a Letter of Refusal explaining why, and you can appeal within 2 months of its date, at no charge. Disclose past refusals honestly in any new application.