Visa Information

Visa Information

All students holding a NON-EU Passport are required to have a valid student visa to study in Ireland. However, not all Nationalities are required to have a visa to enter the country – this can be awarded to the student shortly after arrival in Ireland with the assistance of our college. 

If your home country is outside the European Economic Area (EEA*) you may need a Visa during your stay in Ireland. The type of Visa you require depends on how long you want to stay in Ireland. A C-Visa, short-stay Visa, is preferable if you intend to stay no longer than 90 days in Ireland. You are then required to leave the country. A D-Visa, a long-stay Visa, allows you to stay longer than 90 days. It is advisable to visit the Irish and Naturalisation Immigration Service (INIS) to view all guidelines and visa regulations on Irish Visa requirements.

Find more information here. 

Before you travel

Before you come to Ireland to study at the Galway Business School you will have to do the following;

• Book your course of choice and pay for it in full
• To get your Visa you will require an acceptance letter from the Galway Business School to confirm your acceptance on to the course. In order to receive this letter you must first receive your admissions letter and pay for the course in full
• Learners are required to have at least four weeks accommodation arranged before they come to Ireland
• You must organise medical insurance in advance of your trip. GBS can assist you in getting medical insurance

If you need a study visa to enter Ireland you need to contact the Irish Embassy or Consulate in your home country and they will provide you with full visa information. The list of all Irish Embassies and Consulates can be seen here. For a successful visa application, the relevant supporting documents should be submitted.

Visa supporting documentation

For a successful visa application, the following documents should be submitted. Please note that other supporting documents may be required and students should contact the local Irish Embassy or Consulate to obtain information on the full documentation required.

• Visa application form
• Student visa declaration form
• Education documents from high school and university where applicable
• English proficiency certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL
• Evidence of finances - you should be able to demonstrate that you (or your sponsor) have sufficient funds to support your living expenses while in Ireland and be able to meet the cost of the programme. The Immigration office recommends the student to have access to €10,000 per year for living expenses
• Proof of Medical Insurance - GBS will provide medical insurance for all students
• Proof of payment of course fees
• Proof of enrolment on the stated course
• Evidence of previous immigration and travel history, if any
• Evidence of previous work experience, if any, please also note that your passport should be valid for a period of six months after the estimated completion date of your course.
• Once submitted we endeavor to inform you of the decision on your application to Dorset College within 72 hours.

After you arrive in Ireland and commence your course you are required to take the following steps to validate your Visa.

• You will need to open a bank account. GBS can offer assistance in opening a bank account.
• To validate your visa after arrival in Ireland, you must take an appointment with ISD (Book Appointment here)
  
  You must present your passport, letters from the Galway Business School, letter from the bank and your certificate of medical insurance to the ISD
• Obtain the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) at a cost of €300

*EEA – The EEA area includes European Countries, Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland

Please note all information is correct at time of publishing

All of this information was correct at the time that this was written. More information on the visa process in Ireland is available from the following website http://www.inis.gov.ie .

Visa Regulations

It is important to note that admission onto a full-time programme at Galway Business School does not automatically guarantee you a student visa. You must also meet immigration requirements in order to reside and study in Ireland. For all information on completing and submitting your visa application please visit INIS.

Further information on entry requirements contact: +353 91 529000 or E-Mail: info@galwaybusinessschool.ie

Visa Requiring Students

You must pay through Transfermate Escrow Account where your fees will be held on behalf of the student and GBS/GCI pending the VISA Decision.
The student is responsible for informing the college when they have submitted their visa application. They will provide the visa reference number and date of submission of visa application. If your visa application is refused a refund, less administration fee will be returned to you. Fees will not be refunded if a visa is denied due to submission of false or inaccurate information.