Visa Guidance

Visa Guidance Ireland FAQ

How/Where do I apply for an Irish visa?
Application forms are available from your nearest Irish Embassy, Consulate or Visa Office, or can be downloaded from the Department of Foreign Affairs website here.

How long will my visa be valid for?
The dates shown on a visa are the dates between which you may seek entry to the State.

What types of visas are there for entry to Ireland?
There are two types of visas – C and D.

C Visas

  • C visas are issued for a short-term trip only, usually for the purpose of tourism, visiting family, business meetings or conferences.
  • The maximum duration for which the Immigration Officer will allow you remain in the State with a C visa is 90 days.
  • Once this time has elapsed, your permission to remain will not be extended and you must leave the State.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure from Ireland. If you are resident in a country other than your country of origin, your residence permit must be valid for 3 months after your intended departure form Ireland.

D Visas

  • If you have been issued with a D visa you are required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). You will be issued with a Garda Registration Card.
  • It is advisable that your passport is valid for a period of at least 12 months as you will not be registered by GNIB beyond the expiry date of your passport, and you will be required to pay a fee each time you register. Further information is available at http://www.garda.ie.

How long can I stay in Ireland?
If you have been issued with a ‘C’ visa, this will be determined by an Immigration Officer. However, 90 days is the maximum duration you will be allowed remain in the State on this type of visa.

If you have been issued with a ‘D’ visa, the duration of stay will depend on a number of factors, including, for workers, the renewal of employment permits, or for students, satisfactory attendance & progress at school/college. You must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau who will decide on the duration you will be permitted to stay.

I am in Ireland and have a ‘C’ visa. Can I stay longer than 90 days?
No. The maximum time you can stay in Ireland on this visa is 90 days.

Will my visa be valid for multiple trips to Ireland?
All visa applications for long term stays in Ireland, e.g. for work or study purposes, will be valid for one trip only. Once you have registered with the GNIB you may apply for a multi- journey re-entry visa.

It is not our general practice to issue multiple-entry visas for short-term visits unless you have shown a compliant travel history to Ireland in the recent past.

If you have held 2 previous Irish visas and have observed the conditions of these visas – e.g. have not overstayed or worked illegally, then you may apply for a multi-entry visa.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?
There are certain documents that must accompany an application. This will depend on the type of visa applied for. You can find details here.

Please note that ALL documents must be in English, or accompanied by a notarized English translation. Applications with non-translated documents will be returned or refused.

How much does an Irish Visa application cost?
The non-refundable Visa Application Processing Fees apply as follows:

  • SINGLE-JOURNEY €60.00
  • MULTIPLE-JOURNEY €100.00
  • TRANSIT €25.00

How long does it take to process an application?
In some cases, applications can be processed locally in the Irish Embassy, Consulate or Visa Office in your country of origin in a very short period of time.

If your application does not fall into the category of applications that can be processed locally, it will be referred to Dublin for processing by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

To allow for the possible transfer of your application to Dublin you should submit your application 8 weeks in advance of proposed date of travel.

We advise applicants not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having been issued with a visa.

I hold a valid Schengen Visa, do I need an Irish visa to come to the Republic of Ireland?
Yes

I will be travelling to, or I am already in, another country on a short visit before travelling to Ireland. Can I apply for my Irish visa in the Irish Embassy/Consulate there?
You should apply for a visa in your country of residence. If however, there are valid reasons or circumstances which prevented you from doing so prior to your departure, you may outline these in your application and submit it to the nearest Irish Embassy/Consulate.

List of countries whose passport holders do not require visas to enter Ireland for less than 90 days

  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kiribati
  • USA
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Lithuania
  • Macau
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Saint Kitts & Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • United Kingdom & Dependent Territories
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela

Visa Guidance for Non-EEA Students Studying Full Time in Ireland

 For full conditions and requirement please click  here.

Summary Information

Travelling to and Arriving in Ireland

What do I need to do to travel to Ireland as a full time Student?

There are conditions that all students (both visa required and non visa required) must satisfy before they will be granted permission to remain in Ireland as a student.

With regard to Language and non-Degree Programme Courses you must be able to show that:

  • You have entered Ireland to engage in full-time study
  • You are enrolled on a privately funded course either on an English Language Course or Further Education Course
  • A letter of Acceptance confirming you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education, involving a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime tuition, and that all fees have been paid to school
  • You must be able to pay for and support yourself, live in Ireland without going into business or getting a job
  • Students are required to have private medical insurance either personally or through a group scheme operated by your college at the time of registration. Travel insurance will not be accepted.

Immigration Registration

It is a requirement for non-EEA students who intend staying for more than 90 days to register with Garda National Immigration Bureau. Registration needs to be completed within 30 days of arrival to Ireland. The academic manager will assist the student with this process including preparing documents to open an Irish bank account and providing necessary school documents for immigration registration.

What happens when I first register? You will require proof of the following:

  • A letter of acceptance from the school confirming that you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education
  • You must have proof that all tuition fees have been paid to the school
  • A bank statement from an Irish bank, showing that you have access to €3000 at first registration
  • Students are required to have private medical insurance at time of registration.

Medical Insurance

The main requirements for the medical insurance are:

  • Policy must be in English (or be accompanied by an English translation)
  • Insurance must be valid for the entire period of the student’s stay (or one year)
  • There is no time period limit for hospitalisation coverage

Private medical insurance is acceptable, or the school can arrange medical insurance for you. Your registration will be for a maximum period of one year and will be renewable on an annual basis, up to a maximum of 3 years. There is currently a charge of €300 each time you register.

Second and Subsequent Registration

Renewal of registration may be granted if the following conditions are satisfied:

  • A student has been engaging in full daytime education of at least 15 hours per week
  • That a student can demonstrate a level of 85% attendance at class via a letter from their education provider
  • You must have proof that fees have been paid to the school
  • Proof that the student maintained private medical insurance, for the previous registration period for example by way of a letter of renewal

Exam Requirement

Students booking an Academic Year Programme (25 weeks or more) must register for a recognised English exam to be taken before the end of the enrolment period.

Working while studying

Non-EEA nationals with permission to remain in the State and registered for an Academic Year Programme (minimum course duration 25 weeks) are allowed to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time and during scheduled vacation periods non-EEA Students can work up to 20 hours per week. During specific vacation periods scheduled from December 15 to January 15 and from May to August students can work up to 40 hours per week.

Terms and Conditions Terms and Conditions for Students attending courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) - minimum 25 weeks course

1. Cancellation of courses and accommodation before arrival in Ireland when a student is refused a visa

  • To cancel the booking before arrival in Ireland in the case of a visa refusal, the student must send us a copy of the visa refusal letter issued by the Embassy/Consulate.
  • All course fees will be refunded less an administration charge of €100.
  • All accommodation fees will be refunded less an administration charge of €100, provided the required notice to cancel for their booked accommodation is given. The notice period for each type of accommodation is different. These details are in our brochure and also in the accommodation information sheet sent out with each booking. If at least one week’s notice is not given to cancel a host booking, for example, then one week host fees are charged instead of the €100 accommodation administration charge. This is because we will pay the host one week host fees if a booking is cancelled within one week of student arrival.

2. Cancellation of courses and accommodation after arrival in Ireland when a student is refused a visa

  • To cancel the booking after arrival in Ireland in the case of a visa refusal, the student must send us a copy of the visa refusal letter issued by the GNIB.
  • All unused course fees will be refunded.
  • No refund of course fees will be made in any circumstances once a visa has been issued to a student studying on a course listed on the Internationalisation Register or ILEP.
  • All accommodation fees will be refunded provided the required notice to cancel for their booked accommodation is given. The notice period for each type of accommodation is different. These details are in our brochure and also in the accommodation information sheet sent out with each booking.

3. Cancellation of courses and accommodation after a visa letter has been issued but before arrival in Ireland when a visa has not been refused

  • A student may decide to cancel their booking after they booked and paid and we have issued a visa letter, even if their visa has not been refused. In this case, we keep the non-refundable course deposit of €200 and non-refundable accommodation deposit of €300, and refund any remaining fees. The deposit may be used as credit to book a new course or accommodation, within 2 years, and is not transferable to another student.
  • We will inform Irish immigration officials of any cases where the Letter of Acceptance (visa letter) has been issued but the course has subsequently been cancelled.

4. Course Refunds

  • No refund of course fees will be made in any circumstances once a visa has been issued to a student studying on a course listed on the Internationalisation Register or ILEP.
  • All applications for refunds must be made to the Principal, Neil Holohan. Email neil.holohan@francesking.com
  • Course and accommodation refunds may take between 30-60 days to process. Refunds will only be made to the person or organisation that paid in the first instance.
  • Please refer to cancellation of courses above for details of administrative charges you will incur due to cancellation.

5. Punctuality and Attendance

Whilst studying on a course listed on the ILEP, you must do the following:

  • Come to class on time every day
  • If you arrive 15 minutes late for your lesson you will be marked absent for that lesson.
  • If you leave 15 minutes before the end of your lesson you will be marked absent for that lesson.
  • Your teacher will mark your attendance on a class register for each lesson.
  • The academic manager will check and collate your attendance records weekly.
  • If you are sick and can not come in, you will need to call the school on 01-4866000 or email the Academic Manager on ita.hennessey@francesking.com
  • Maintain at least 85% attendance throughout your course

6. Absenteeism and Expulsion

  • Students should contact the Academic Manager on ita.hennessey@francesking.com;to explain any absences from their programme.
  • If a student’s current attendance falls below 90%, they will be issued with a first attendance warning letter. This letter will be given to the student and a conversation between the Student and Academic Manager will take place. Any reasons for absenteeism will be discussed and any problems will endeavor to be resolved at this point. If they have a medical certificate, they will be asked to show it. This letter is an opportunity to alert the students to their attendance problem before it becomes a serious issue.
  • If a student’s current attendance then falls below 85 %, they will be issued with a second attendance warning letter. This letter will be given to the student and a conversation between the Student, Academic Manager and Principal will take place. The student will be asked to explain why their attendance has continued to decrease. Any reasons for absenteeism will be discussed and any problems will endeavor to be resolved. If they have a medical certificate, they will be asked to show it at this point. The student will be alerted to the implications of a failure to maintain 85% and the seriousness of the situation.
  • After the second warning letter, if a student’s attendance continues to fall, and they are unable to complete the course with an average attendance of 85%, GNIB will be contacted.
  • For student welfare, if a student is absent for 3 consecutive days they will be contacted by the Academic Manager by phone or email to ensure that the student is ok. In the absence of a medical certificate they will need to explain the reason for their absence. They will be made aware of the GNIB requirement that their average attendance must be at least 85% for the duration of their programme.

7. Sick Leave

  • If you are sick and cannot attend class an email or text must be sent to the academic manager ita.hennessey@francesking.com stating the reason for your absence and an estimation of when you will be able to return to your class.
  • On returning to class you must give the academic manager a doctor’s certificate for the period of your illness.
  • Any absence due to illness that is not supported by a doctor’s certificate will be considered general absence from your course and the procedures for absenteeism detailed above will stand.

8. Holidays and Breaks

  • Students must start their course on arrival in Ireland.
  • During their induction students will agree their course and holiday time for the duration of their stay in Ireland with the Academic Manager.
  • Holiday weeks can never exceed 1/3rd of the overall lapsed time since the course commenced.
  • In the case of illness or family bereavement you can make an application to the academic manager for an unscheduled break in your course. Each application will be dealt with on its individual merits. If your application is unsuccessful you can appeal it to the Principal. The Principal’s decision will be final.
  • Students can take a maximum of 8 weeks holidays during their course.

9. End of Programme Exam Entry and Recording of Grades/Scores Received

  • We offer the following exams to students studying on courses listed on the ILEP; TIE, IELTS, Cambridge FCE and Cambridge CAE. The exams are held in external centres. The final results are sent to Frances King School by the external examination body.
  • During your induction at the beginning of your course you will be required to sign an agreement that states the external exam at the end of your course is mandatory and that you agree to sit the exam. The academic manager or examinations officer will complete and submit your exam application.
  • The academic manager or examinations officer will arrange to meet with you to arrange your exam application. This will be done with adequate time to ensure a timely application. Once your application has been made the academic manager will ensure that all information relating to your exam application and dates for the exam are communicated to you in a timely manner.
  • The academic manager at Frances King School of English is Ita Hennessey. Her email is ita.hennessey@francesking.com
  • A record of all students exam results are kept on our internal database.

10. Student Complaints and Grievances

  • The following details the complaints procedures for students at Frances King:
  • If a student has a complaint about their class or teacher this is made to the Academic manager. The academic manager is Ita Hennessey email: ita.hennessey@francesking.com
  • Depending on the nature of the complaint, the Academic Manager will act accordingly
  • If it is a complaint about their teacher, the Academic Manager will ask questions to find out what the issue is, how long it has been going on for and what the student would like to happen. The Academic Manager will then inform the student that they will speak to the teacher (they can remain anonymous if they wish) and that they will come and find the student after the lesson the next day to see if anything has improved.
  • The Academic Manager will then speak to the teacher, inform them of the complaint and give them the chance to comment and give guidance as to how to remedy the situation e.g. through resources, advice on teaching practice etc.
  • The Academic Manager will then find the student the next day as promised to see how they are feeling in the class and whether or not things have improved and they wish to stay in the class or wish to move.
  • If a student is not happy with the outcome of the complaints procedure they can appeal it to the Principal. The Principal’s decision is final.
  • All other complaints can be made to the Team Leader Client Services and will follow the same procedure. The Team Leader Client Services is Martina Bonati email: martina.bonati@francesking.com
  • All complaints and how they were dealt with are kept in a complaints log on our internal database.
  • All complaints are dealt with in a timely manner. Assuming all persons involved in the complaint are available for interview, the complainant will receive an initial response to their complaint within 2 days of making the complaint. All parties will be consulted and the complaints procedure should take not longer than 5 days to reach conclusion. If the complainant wishes to appeal to the Principal a further 3 days will be required to complete the process.

11. Student Fees Protection

All students studying at Frances Kings School of English on a course listed on the ILEP are covered by our Learner Protection Policy. This policy is taken out by the school for each individual student with O’Driscoll O’Neill. The cost of the Learner Protection Policy is included in your programme fees and you will be issued with a certificate containing your personal details from O’Driscoll O’Neil through the school as proof of insurance.

In the event that your course at Frances King ends prematurely the insurer, through O’Driscoll O’Neill, will arrange for the student either of the following:

  • Alternative tuition for the completion of your course at no further cost to the student or
  • Refund of the unexpired portion of the student’s tuition fee.

This applies to all programmes that start on or after the 1st October 2015.

12. Emergency Procedures and Contact Numbers

If you require to speak to a member of staff of Frances King school outside office hours or in case of emergency you can contact the following numbers 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

  • General Emergency Number + 353 83 4502204
  • Teenager Programme, Dalkey + 353 83 4705532

13. Admissions Criteria for ILEP Programmes

  • Must be from a non-EEA country
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must have a minimum English level of A2
  • Must maintain an 85% average attendance during their course of study
  • Must meet the requirements of the GNIB for visa registration here
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