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If we talk about the best destinations to study English or travel, it is impossible not to include Ireland in the list. This country has captivated with its youthful atmosphere and its beautiful landscapes. Is it already part of your checklist? Well, first you will have to process your visa for Ireland.
The land of Saint Patrick, in addition to what we already said, is considered as one of the most popular countries to study and work abroad. If with this you are already packing your suitcase to go to the Emerald Isle, calm down!
Take note that we will give you tips and requirements so that you know everything you need to apply for your Irish visa.
Types of visa for Ireland
? Before starting your trip to Ireland, you should be clear about your plans to do so. Accordingly, you will know what type of visa to choose, since these vary in terms of length of stay, requirements and work permits.
In addition, how you process your visa for Ireland will depend on your country of origin. If you have citizenship of a member country of the European Union, things will be easier for you. ?
In the case of Latin America, the procedure is different and especially with Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile, since they do not need to apply for a visa before traveling. You can verify if, due to your nationality, you need to process it before buying your ticket, in this section of the website of the Government of Ireland.
The types of visa for Ireland are very diverse. However, the most requested by foreigners who want to visit the land of the leprechaun, for study, work, fun or curiosity are the ones that we are going to present to you in more detail below.
Pay attention so you know which one to choose.
Tourist Visa (C) for Ireland
The Tourist Visa to travel to Ireland allows you to stay a short period in Irish territory. The so-called Short Stay (C) also allows you to study for a maximum of 90 days, for example an intensive English course.
In addition, before packing your bags, you must apply for this visa, as it must be done three months in advance before traveling to Ireland. Remember that you can verify if, according to your nationality, you need a visa and, if applicable, follow these steps:
- Make the application online.
- Pay the cost of the visa. (60 euros single entry, 100 euros multi entry)
- Send your passport and other necessary documents.
If it is not clear, single entry, or single entry, refers to the absolute permanence within the Irish territory. In other words, if you leave for any reason, you will have to re-process your visa for Ireland.
If you have already visited the main Irish cities and you plan to travel to other European countries during your stay, it is advisable to invest a little more and process a multy entry visa.
Working Holiday Visa
It is a work vacation permit valid only for 12 months without the possibility of extending it. The purposes of this type of visa for Ireland are basically tourist. In other words, it encourages you to get to know the main attractions of Ireland while you work.
You can move freely through the Schengen Area for the duration of your visa, but it enables you to work in Ireland only. At the moment the only two Latin American nationalities that can apply for this visa are Argentina and Chile.
Also, the annual quotas are only 200 and the date varies, but you can see it here.
Requirements for the Working Holiday Visa for Ireland
- Have a valid passport from the country with a Working Holiday agreement.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old. In the case of Chile it is 18 to 30.
- Not having dependents or traveling with other family members.
- Not having previously participated in the Working Holiday Ireland program.
- Have no criminal record. Present a certificate.
- Have international health insurance for the entire stay (365 days).
- Pay consular fees, if applicable. Some countries like Peru are exempt.
- Have sufficient funds to stay in the initial period of stay (€ 1500)
- Have a return ticket or, failing that, a departure ticket from Ireland and sufficient funds to purchase it (€ 1500)
Student visa (STAMP 2)
If what you want is to study in Ireland in a program longer than 25 weeks, this is your visa! This type of visa for Ireland allows you to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during school period and 40 hours during holidays. Its validity is 8 months and can be renewed up to 24 months.
Do you want information about studying and working in Ireland?
You can request an extension with a total limit of 2 years in cases of studying English in Ireland or for VETS (vocational courses). In the case of university studies, it is issued for the entire duration of the course.
Requirements for a student visa to Ireland
- Acceptance letter from the school where you are going to study. You get it once having paid in full.
- Bank statement, not necessarily Irish, with € 3000 (in any currency, but equivalent to € 3000)
- International health insurance. You can review our article on OSHCs to learn more.
- Debit or credit card to pay the Visa: € 300 (USD355)
The steps to follow to process your student visa depend, and forgive us for insisting, on your nationality. But be calm, we will explain them later. Don’t stop reading! In the meantime, take a look at the amazing experiences to study in Dublin.
General Employment Permit (STAMP 1G)
If you have finished studying in Ireland for a Bachelor’s degree, you can apply for a 1-year work permit. It also applies to masters or postgraduate level 9. The 1G visa is for two years in which you can use a full-time job in a qualified job.
To obtain residency in Ireland, 2 years are required under the critical skills work visa scheme (Medicine, Engineering, etc.), through a company sponsorship. To find out which jobs are legible, you can check it in this list?
If you are not under the critical skills scheme, you will need 5 years with employment permit within a company that is your sponsor. You should know that the visa for Ireland 1G is still considered as a student and does not accumulate for permanent residence, if not until you obtain a sponsorship.
Requirements to apply for the General Employment Permit
- Have a work proposal and provide details of it.
- Make sure the position you apply for is not ineligible.
- Certify your required skills or experience with documents. They can be college degrees or letters of recommendation.
- The minimum annual salary for the position must be 30,000 euros.
Irish Residential Permit
If clovers, whiskey or Guinness beer ends up captivating you and you want to live in Ireland longer for any reason for more than 90 days, you must apply for an immigration permit and register. If your application goes smoothly, you will be granted the Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
? It is a credential that indicates that you have registered your immigration permit to stay in Ireland for a period greater than three months. Keep in mind that the IRP is not an identity card, but a registration certificate. It is valid only to prove that you are registered with legal immigration in Ireland.
You have to carry your IRP wherever you go and at all times. If a member of the An Garda Síochána (the Irish police) requests it, you will have to present it. This includes every time you leave or re-enter the country. An IRP costs 300 euros per person each time you register and renew.
Requirements to request your IRP
- Be a non-EU / EEA citizen and not Swiss.
- Be 16 years of age or older.
- Go to a registry office in person.
- If you still want to stay in Ireland when your IRP expires, you can request a renewal.
Steps to process the visa for Ireland according to your country
By now, it must have been engraved in your mind that the steps to follow to process your visa for Ireland depend on your country of origin. In some cases, such as Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, a previous step must be taken from the country of origin.
Do not forget that you can verify the requirements for your visa application by indicating your nationality in this section of the Irish Government website. In any case, take note of what you need to process your Irish visa according to your country of origin. Keep reading!
Visa for Ireland if you are from the European Union
The foreigners from member countries of the European Union are not limited to choosing a course or time work hours or travel restrictions. Applies, for example, if you are from Spain?
? Of course, more than convenient, it is a duty that you process your PPS or social number, which is done at the employment office. The only thing you need to present is your proof of home address (Rental Contract, Letter from the property owner, etc.) and your identity document such as Passport, DNI, driver’s license or birth certificate.
Visa for Ireland if you are from Latin America
Before travelling
With the exception of Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Chile, other Latin American citizens must apply for the Irish visa from the country of origin and online for the type “D” (Long Stay) visa for at least 3 months. before traveling to Ireland? This type of visa for Ireland is the one that allows you to stay for more than 90 days to carry out studies, work, research, etc.
It is advisable to check if the course you are going to do is listed in the ILEP (Interim List of Eligible Programs), that is, the programs eligible to apply for this type of visa for Ireland. Proving payment is one of the requirements, but let’s go with the others.
Requirements:
- Select the course and make the full payment before applying for the D Visa (Long stay, to study)
- Have an economic support of 7,000 euros. (In the case of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile it is 3,000 euros)
- Letter of acceptance from the school, which endorses the reason for entering the country.
- International health insurance.
- Valid passport for at least 1 year from the expected date of arrival in Ireland.
- Demonstrate guaranteed accommodation for at least two weeks.
All documentation that supports these requirements must be on hand when arriving at the airport and going through the immigration department. The cost is 60 and 100 euros for single and multiple entry respectively.
Arriving in the country
It is advisable to get an appointment 9 weeks in advance to obtain the Irish Residence Permit, the appointment is made online and it is necessary to go to the government offices to process it. Remember that the cost is 300 euros.
Documents they will ask for:
- Valid passport.
- Letter of acceptance from the school and evidence of payment for the minimum course of 15 hours a week.
- Bank statement of 3,000 euros, as the case may be.
- International health insurance.
- Debit or credit card
- Proof of residence address.
After the process
Once you finish the process, your documentation is stamped with STAMP 2, which is the Work and Study permit, 10 days later your Irish Residence Permit arrives at your home . It is also necessary to process your PPS in order to start working.
You cannot request a PPS number before arriving in Ireland and you must already have an address where you are going to stay. According to your nationality they will ask you for different documents, but the main thing is to have Irish Residence Permit and your proof of address (rental contract, receipt of rent payment, letter from the landlord, etc.)