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Ireland

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At a glance

Living index rating
Expensive
Monthly rent
€600 – €1,000 shared (Dublin often €800 – €1,200)
Monthly food
€200 – €350
Other monthly expenses
€200 – €350 (transport, phone, utilities, personal)
Visa processing time
Around 8 weeks from application
Family allowed for students
Limited

Visa requirements

  • Study visa (D visa) if you're from a visa-required country; all non-EU students register for an Irish Residence Permit (Stamp 2) after arrival
  • Offer letter for a full-time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), with fees paid
  • Proof of funds: at least €10,000 for each year of study, readily available (many advisers recommend €12,000)
  • Private medical insurance
  • English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE
  • Work limited to 20 hours a week in term and 40 hours in holidays (June – September and 15 December – 15 January)

Work permit after studies

  • Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)
  • 1 year after an honours bachelor's degree (NFQ level 8)
  • Up to 2 years after a master's or PhD (NFQ level 9 or 10)
  • You can work full-time without a work permit, then move to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit

Citizenship route

  • Naturalisation after 5 years of 'reckonable' residence
  • Time on Stamp 2 (student) doesn't count; time on Stamp 1G (graduate) and work permits does
  • Usually you'll first get Stamp 4 (long-term residence) after 2 years on a Critical Skills Employment Permit

Family details

  • Most students on Stamp 2 can't bring family members as dependants
  • PhD researchers on a Hosting Agreement and some scholarship holders can bring a spouse and children
  • Family members can apply for their own visa if they qualify in their own right

Universities in Ireland

Top-ranked

All other universities and colleges (18), A–Z

This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.