Obtain Student Visa (if required)
Applicants from some countries are required to obtain a Visa from their local Irish embassy or Department of justice (Ireland) prior to travelling to Dublin. This is likely to involve an interview with an Entry Clearance Officer who will want to see:

1. Your passport
2. Your academic qualifications
3. Your International Admission Document
4. Your Visa Application Document (showing tuition fees paid)
5. Evidence that you have access to the necessary living expenses
6. Please see FAQ’s below for further information.


Please note that if you are refused entry to Ireland by an Irish Embassy or Department of Justice (Ireland) your tuition fees will be refunded, except for an administration/ registration fee of 200.00 Euro.

Notify College of flight details and accommodation requirements
CMI is able to arrange accommodation for you. Most students live in hostel type accommodation costing between 75 Euro and 90 Euro per week depending on location and facilities. It is important, however, that you notify us in advance of your accommodation needs, together with your flight details, so we can make the necessary arrangements at least one week before arrival.

Obtain student visa on arrival in Ireland (if not already obtained locally)
When you arrive at the airport in Dublin you will need to obtain a student visa. The immigration officer will expect to see your Visa Application Document together with evidence that you have enough money to live on. If you are bringing your living expenses with you, you should have at least enough for 3 months accommodation (about £1500/€2000.00). If instead you have a Irish sponsor who is going to provide for you then you should have evidence of this, in the form of a sponsorship declaration form which your sponsor can obtain from the College in advance.

FAQ’s

Q. Can I apply online for a study Visa?
Yes. Online application is available in most countries. Just follow this link:

https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie

Disclaimer: This page contains general information and CMI do not accept any responsibility for inaccurate information.

Q. What is the situation in regards to employment while in Ireland on a student visa

Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA (that is, the 27 EU member states member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) who are registered as full-time students with the Garda Siochana are permitted to work part-time in Ireland (up to a maximum of 20 hours a week and full-time during vacation periods) to support themselves.

Since 18 April 2005 new students given permission to remain in Ireland for study cannot be given permission to work unless they are attending a full-time course of at least a year leading to a recognised qualification (recognised qualifications include those issued by FETAC and HETAC). These students can continue to work part-time and study in Ireland for the remaining period of their visa.

Renewal of student visas

Since 1 January 2005 students who are not on full-time courses of at least a year leading to a recognised qualification will only be allowed to extend their study visas when the total period of permissions granted (and requested) is no longer than 18 months in total.

Extending a student visa

If you wish to study in Ireland for less than three months you should apply for a 'C study visa'. If your course lasts longer than three months, you should apply for a 'D study visa'.

If you hold a 'C study visa' and wish to extend the period of your stay in Ireland, you should visit the District headquarters of the Garda District where you live and present yourself to the Registration Officer. You may also be requested to apply in writing for your visa extension to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Generally speaking, the duration of a 'C study visa', (that is, a three-month visa for study in Ireland) is not extended once you have arrived in Ireland. Extensions will be granted in exceptional cases only. It's very important therefore to make sure you know the duration of your course before you apply for a visa.

WHERE TO APPLY

If you require a visa in order to study in Ireland, your application must be made to your nearest Irish embassy or consulate before you travel.

Garda National Immigration Bureau
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
IRELAND

Tel: +353 1 666 9100
Fax: +353 1 666 9100

Homepage: http://www.garda.ie/gnib.html

Email: gnib@iol.ie

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs inclusive: 8am to 10pm


Q. How do you apply for a study visa?
To apply for your study visa you must prepare a number of documents for your application. Your application should be submitted to your closest Irish Embassy or Consulate. If your country does not have an Irish mission, you should forward your complete visa application to CMI College for submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin . A list of Irish Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found by visiting www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie

The Department of Justice in Ireland has issued the following guidelines for preparation of your visa application. Please refer to www.justice.ie or your nearest Irish embassy for full details and updates on the visa application process. All copied documentation must be notarised, and official translations must be submitted where documentation is not in English. All reference and documentation must be on official letter-headed paper, which includes contact addresses and telephone numbers. Please note that references may be checked by visa officials, and that students may be required to attend an interview:

Completed visa application form (in original or a copied form in triplicate).
3 passport photographs.
· The required application fee.

· Acceptance letter from CMI.

· Receipt of fees evidence from CMI.

· Copy of valid passport (must have 6 months validity from the date of course completion) You must submit a copy of every page.

· Private medical insurance. This is arranged for you by LC and details will be given in your Letter of Offer and Receipt of Fees letter.

· Details of family members living in Ireland or the EU.

· A statement of purpose explaining why you wish to study in Ireland .

· A detailed Curriculum Vitae with no gaps in history.

· Supporting relevant academic qualifications and exam transcripts.

· Proof of English language standard where English is not your first language (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS).

· A reference letter from your school/college if you are currently a student.

· A letter from your employer if you are currently working. This letter should confirm your position and salary. Your employer should also state:

o The length of leave being granted to study abroad, and the purpose of participating in the proposed course of study.

o If currently in employment, evidence of your salary received such as a recent payslip.

· Financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your studies in Ireland . You should submit a recent bank statement in your own name to show evidence of this. Statements must be translated into English and accompanied by details of official conversion rates.

· Please note that although you may be permitted to work part-time in Ireland during your

Studies, these potential earnings will not be taken into account when assessing your financial capabilities.

· If an immediate family member is funding your studies, please submit a bank statement in their name, along with a notarised affidavit of support from them. You should also provide evidence of your relationship.

· If your studies were funded by a scholarship please provide details of the funding and a letter in support of this.

How long will it take for me to get my student visa?
The length of time needed to process a visa varies from country to country, but as a general rule you should leave at least 10 weeks for a decision from date of visa submission.

What happens if my visa is refused?
If your study visa application is refused, you have the right to a visa appeal. If you wish to proceed with a visa appeal, and if the college considers it feasible, CMI will write this appeal for you and submit it directly to the Department of Justice. A visa appeal generally takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Will I get a refund of fees if my visa is refused?
If your visa is refused you will receive a full refund of fees. No part of your fee will be retained. To apply for your refund you should fax a copy of your visa refusal letter to CMI on 00 353 1 492 2260. Upon receipt of this your refund will be raised, and this will take approximately 10 working days to process.

I do not need a visa to travel to Ireland, but am not from a European country. What immigration requirements apply?
When you arrive in Ireland you will speak to an immigration official at Dublin Airport . This official will explain the length of time you have to register as a student in Ireland . After your arrival in Ireland please contact the International Department at CMI, and we will explain the immigration requirements to you in more detail and provide you with the documentation that you need to register with the immigration authorities.

Study Visa Renewal
You are responsible for renewing your GNIB registration card each time it expires. It will usually expire at the end of your academic year, and must be renewed for the coming academic year of your course. To renew your GNIB registration card, you will need a letter from with details of your course and your course attendance over the past year. Note that if your attendance is low, you may not be given permission to stay for the next year of your course.