Visa Process

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Visa

Check here to see if you need an Irish visa

Airport Immigration

You will pass through airport immigration when you land here in Ireland. To ensure you have no difficulties, we recommend that you have the following documents ready to show to the immigration officer:

  • Passport
  • Offer Letter from American College Dublin
  • Evidence of tuition fees paid or US Financial Aid
  • Evidence of private medical health insurance, which must have a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment in an Irish hospital.

The College’s recommended medical insurance provider is O’Driscoll O’Neil Insurance’s Study & Protect coverage ; the portal to its medical insurance provision for ACD students may be accessed here

Students are not required to take up the medical insurance offered by O’Driscoll O’Neil Insurance; they are free to choose whichever medical insurance provider they wish for this purpose. In such cases, the College advises that each student study the relevant provider’s policies carefully in order to ensure that he or she has adequate medical insurance cover.

AFTER ARRIVING IN IRELAND

REGISTERING WITH THE IRISH NATURALISATION AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE (INIS)

*This process does not begin until after you have arived in Ireland.

(I.N.I.S. FORMERLY KNOWN AS GARDA NATIONAL IMMIGRATION BUREAU OR G.N.I.B.)

All non-EU/EEA students must register with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service after they have registered with ACD and before the expiry date stamped on their passport by airport immigration officials.

You will not penalised for absences due to INIS appointments.

Students living in county Dublin must schedule an appointment here

Students living outside county Dublin must register at their nearest registration office. A list of registration offices can be found here

It is common for students living in Dublin to encounter difficulty finding available appointment timeslots. Check the booking website every morning at 10:00am and every afternoon at 2:30pm. These are the times when newly available timeslots are released.

If you have persistent trouble booking an appointment, send an email to the INIS official email burghquayregoffice@justice.ie

In your email message, be sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or GNIB card number, if you have one already (you will not have one yet if this is your first year in Ireland)
  • Nationality
  • Date of birth

Indicate that you have had difficulty finding an appointment. Keep this email and any future email correspondence you have with INIS as proof that you’ve reached out to them and have been attempting to follow their instructions for booking an appointment.

You must have the following documents with you at your appointment.

  • Valid passport (showing entry visa if applicable)
  • Valid ACD Student Card
  • If you entered Ireland without a visa, you must demonstrate evidence of financial support.

* This requirement does not apply to students that require a visa to enter Ireland.

You have several options for demonstrating evidence of financial support.

Option 1 – Proof from an Irish bank

If you choose this option, you must bring an original statement from an Irish bank that shows a balance of €3,000 (or €500 per month if you are staying less than 6 months).

The statement must be for an account in your own name, ie the same name as in your passport.

Option 2 – Proof from a foreign bank

If you choose this option, you must bring 2 original bank statements from a foreign bank.

The first statement must show a balance of €3,000 (or €500 per month if you are staying less than 6 months). The statement must less than 1 month old.

The second statement must be from the same bank. It must be less than 6 months old.

Both statements must be for the same account and in your own name, ie the same name as in your passport.

You must also show that you have a debit card (for cash withdrawals in Ireland).

The debit card must be for the same bank account that has the €3,000 (or €500 per month if you are staying less than 6 months).

Option 3 – Proof from a financial services company

If you choose this option, you must bring an original letter from a financial services company in Ireland that shows it holds €3,000 ‘in trust’ for you (or €500 per month if you are staying less than 6 months).

The financial services company must be regulated in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Option 4 – Proof via a pre-paid credit card or debit card

If you choose this option, you must bring an original statement that you have a pre-paid credit card(s) or debit card(s) with €3,000 (or €500 per month if you are staying less than 6 months).

A Letter confirming full time attendance in a course and residence at an Irish address. (ACD reception provides this letter)

Evidence of private medical insurance, which must have a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment in an Irish hospital.

A credit/debit card for payment of €300 registration fee (or Bank Giro obtainable from INIS office) No cash is accepted.

Please note that fingerprinting is part of the process of registering with INIS.

On successful completion of your INIS registration, you will be issued an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) through the post.

Burgh Quay Registration Office (for Dublin residents)

13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 666 9130/01

Need further clarification? Do not hesitate to contact Scotty, our coordinator of student life at ssarafian@iamu.edu with any questions you have.