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Passport

Your current passport must be valid for at least 12 months after your intended arrival date in Ireland.

Indian applicant note: Include photocopies of every page of any previous passports you hold, not just the current one.

Passport photographs

Two colour photographs, not more than 6 months old.

Indian applicant note: Sign your name and write your AVATS Visa Application Transaction Number (VATN) on the back of each photo.

Application letter

A signed letter stating your full name and address, your reason for coming to Ireland, and why this course follows on from your prior education or employment (with evidence if it doesn't). It should give your planned arrival and departure dates and details of any family in Ireland or the EU, plus written commitments to obey your visa conditions, not become a burden on the State, and leave Ireland before your permission expires.

For a Bachelor's application, put extra weight on explaining why this specific course is the right next step straight after school. This is the part visa officers scrutinise most closely for undergraduate applicants.

Secondary-level qualifications

Specifically required for Level 7/8 Bachelor's degree applications: your Class XII (or equivalent secondary school leaving) certificates.

Letter of acceptance

From your college, confirming enrolment on a full-time course of at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition per week, the course details, the fees payable, the fees already paid, and whether the college arranged your medical insurance.

Proof of fee payment

An Electronic Transfer of Funds (ETF) receipt showing payment to the college's Irish bank account, or a valid receipt from an approved student fees payment service (e.g. Pay to Study, formerly ISPS).

Indian applicant note: If your course fees are under €6,000, pay the full amount before applying. If over €6,000, you must pay at least €6,000 before applying.

Evidence of English language ability

A certificate from the test provider (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) showing your results.

Accepted tests and minimum scores vary by course and level. Verify the requirement for your specific course on irishimmigration.ie.

Evidence of academic ability

For a Bachelor’s course this means your school transcripts and final exam results (e.g. Class XII).

Account for gaps in educational history

Full details of any gaps since your last full-time education, including your employment history covering those gaps.

Finances

Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay without accessing public funds or relying on casual work.

The required amount is commonly cited as €10,000 per academic year, in addition to fees. Verify the current figure directly on the irishimmigration.ie financial requirements page, as this figure is critical and changes.

Summary of Finances form

A mandatory financial summary form that all long-stay study visa applicants must complete and submit.

Link the current version of this form from irishimmigration.ie before publishing.

Private medical insurance

Required for the duration of your stay. It may be arranged by your college (shown on your acceptance letter) or organised by you, with evidence submitted either way.

Previous visa refusals

If you've ever been refused a visa for any country, you must disclose it and include the original refusal letter. Non-disclosure results in refusal.

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

A certificate from the Indian police confirming you have no criminal record, submitted to support your visa application.

Indian applicant note: Apply through Passport Seva / your local passport office. Processing can take time, so start this early.

Verify the current requirement, required validity window, and accepted issuing authority on irishimmigration.ie before applying.

Signed & dated AVATS Summary Application Form

Generated automatically by the online AVATS system once you complete your application. Print it, sign and date it, and submit it with your supporting documents.