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Ireland & Dublin

IRELAND

Ireland is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes and scenic beauty. The stunning coastline stretches 1,448 km, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Irish Sea to the east. With a history dating back to around 6000 BC, Ireland boasts a rich heritage and culture shaped over centuries. The country is also famous for its vibrant cities, lively pubs, and traditional music, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Ireland has a population of approximately 4.58 million. Learn more at www.ireland.com.

 

DUBLIN

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is located on the River DCE and is close to both the sea and the countryside. Known for its Georgian architecture, Dublin reflects influences from its Danish, Norman, and English past. The city offers excellent shopping, museums, antique stores, and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants. Ireland is famous for its tweed, knitwear, linen, glass, lace, and silverware. Dublin is also home to four major theatres, including the renowned Abbey Theatre, as well as concert venues, art galleries, and cinemas. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy golf courses, sailing, and racecourses. Dublin has a population of 1.5 million. Visit www.visitdublin.com for more information.

 

CLIMATE

Ireland enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. The average daily temperature in June and July is 18°C. Dublin experiences reasonable sunshine, and rain showers are often light and brief. However, it’s always advisable to carry a raincoat or umbrella when visiting. For more details, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/dublin.

Immerse yourself in a new language and culture by living in an English-speaking European capital. Begin an unforgettable adventure! DCE welcomes students from around the world. Immigration rules vary by nationality, so we encourage learners to stay informed by checking the official Irish Immigration website: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/.

European learners can study in Ireland without a visa.

Non-European learners must meet specific entry requirements based on their nationality. For more information, visit Ireland’s Immigration Website:

For a step-by-step guide to studying at DCE, visit https://dcedu.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Student-Handbook.pdf.

Non-EEA Students

Students enrolled in a full-time course listed on the Irish government’s Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) and holding an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card are permitted to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term time. During designated holiday periods (December 15–January 15 and June 1–September 30), students may work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).

 All students must register with immigration upon arrival in Ireland. This process, known as IRP registration, must be completed within 30–90 days of arrival. For the latest information, visit: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/.

Do You Want to Work in Ireland?

You’ll Need a PPS Number!

As of January 1, 2024, the national minimum wage is €12.70 per hour. A Personal Public Service Number (PPS) is required to work in Ireland. Employers should only request your PPS number when you start employment, not during recruitment. For more information, visit: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/personal_public_service_number.html.

 

Students must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses while in Ireland.

Visa-required nationals: Proof of financial resources is required during the visa application process.

Non-visa required nationals: Proof of financial resources is required upon arrival.

You must show access to €4,680 if staying for more than six months. A valid credit or debit card with sufficient funds is also acceptable.

For more details, visit:

Information on Student Finances

Requirements and Documents Needed

Cost of Living

Students should budget between €10,000 and €12,000 per year for living expenses. Start-up costs, such as bedding, kitchen items, and a mobile phone, should also be considered. For detailed guides, visit:

For accommodation options, visit: Accommodation – DCE.

Congratulations on your acceptance! Here’s what to do next:

Prepare your immigration and travel documents.

After receiving your fees, DCE will issue a Letter of Acceptance via email. This letter serves as proof of payment and can be used for visa/entry purposes.

Book accommodation and airport pickup.

Make travel arrangements.

Plan your budget and ensure you have sufficient funds.

Stay in touch with DCE via email at info@dcedu.ie or WhatsApp +353 153 81502

For detailed steps, visit: Registration Steps – DCE.

Requirement to Register an Irish Immigration Residence Permission (IRP)

If you are a national of a country outside the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland and plan to study in Ireland for more than 90 days, you must register for an immigration permission under the Immigration Act 2004.

First-Time Registration of Irish Immigration Residence Permission

Starting from 13 January 2025, the responsibility for all first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions nationwide will transition from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) under the Department of Justice.

From this date, all first-time in-person registrations for applicants residing in any county will be conducted at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

To book an appointment for your first-time immigration residence permission registration, create an account or log into your existing account on the Digital Contact Centre. Each registration appointment is linked to the unique applicant profile used to book it. Applicants are encouraged to book their appointments as soon as possible.

Documents Required for Your Appointment at Burgh Quay:

  1. Your passport (or an equivalent document issued by a government-recognized authority).

  2. A printed and completed copy of the address form attached to your appointment confirmation email (this is the address where your Irish Residence Permission (IRP) card will be sent).

  3. Printed copies of the required supporting documentation (Stamp 2) relevant to your permission. Electronic copies are not accepted.

  4. The registration fee of €300 per adult, payable only by credit or debit card. Contactless and cash payments are not accepted.

If you do not bring all required documents (Stamp 2) or the fee to your appointment, your registration cannot be completed, and you will not receive an IRP card.

Remaining First-Time Registration Appointments at Garda Stations

Applicants residing outside Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Meath, and Wicklow who have confirmed appointments up to 31 January 2025 should attend their scheduled appointment at the relevant Garda registration office. An Garda Síochána will continue processing confirmed first-time registrations until the end of January 2025. Applicants may wish to confirm arrangements with the relevant Garda station.

Alternatively, applicants with confirmed appointments may cancel their Garda station appointment and book a new one at the Registration Office in Dublin by creating an account on the Digital Contact Centre.

Applicants without a confirmed Garda station appointment before 31 January 2025 should create an account on the Digital Contact Centre and book an appointment at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin.

First-time registration appointments are available for individual applicants or family groups only. Appointments at Burgh Quay are scheduled within the legally required 90-day timeframe.

Renewal of Irish Immigration Residence Permission

All nationwide renewals of immigration permissions are processed online through the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online renewal portal. Applicants do not need to visit the Burgh Quay Registration Office in person for renewals. Renewal applications can be submitted up to 12 weeks before the expiry date to allow sufficient processing time.

The ISD website provides a live processing update for online renewal applications. Applications are processed in the order they are received to ensure fairness.

Guide to Engaging with ISD Services

For more information, please refer to the step-by-step user guide on engaging with ISD services.

Source:
Published on January 9th, 2025, on the INIS website: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/

  • Citizens Information, a national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice, and advocacy to the public on the broad range of social and civil services: Citizens Information
  • Department of Education and Skills: Department of Education
  • Department of Justice and Skills: Department of Justice
  • Education in Ireland; information on studying in Ireland: Education in Ireland
  • Europass; an initiative which aims to help learners ensure their skills and qualifications are clearly and easily understood in Europe: Europass
  • European Qualifications Framework: a common reference framework which assists in comparing the national qualifications systems, frameworks, and their levels: The European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
  • Irish Council for International Students; an independent organisation advocating for the rights of all international learners in Ireland: ICOS
  • Irish Department of Justice Immigration Service Delivery: information for non-EU/EEA learners: Immigration Service Delivery
  • National Framework of Qualifications: a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system: NFQ
  • Irish Register of Qualifications: public confirmation of the formal, technical relationship between a qualification and the National Framework of Qualifications: Irish Register of Qualifications
  • Qualifications Recognition; information on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland: NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications
  • Qualifax, the National Learner’s Database which provides Information on further and higher education and training courses: QualifaX National Learners Database
  • SOLAS; the Further Education and Training Authority in Ireland, responsible for funding, planning and co-ordinating training and further education programmes: SOLAS
  • Student Finance; source of information on financial support for further and higher education: Student Finance | Funding, Governance and Performance

For answers to common questions, visit: https://dcedu.ie/faqs/.