STUDYING IN IRELAND
U.S passport holders do not require a student visa to enter Ireland, however all U.S citizens need to obtain Permission to Remain in Ireland if the intended length of stay will exceed 90 days.
While a U.S. passport holder does not require a visa to enter Ireland other normal immigration controls do apply. You should have on arrival with you:
A Valid passport
A round trip ticket
Evidence of sufficient funds of support for the duration of stay. Evidence could include bank statements, credit/debit cards, traveller's checks, statement of earnings.
A notarized statement from parents/guardian in which they guarantee support during your stay in Ireland.
A financial aid award letter from and Irish institution
A bank letter verifying that you have sufficient funds on account or that you regularly deposit an amount that would support you while in Ireland.
Persons entering Ireland for study or to sit an examination must, in additional to the above, present to the immigration office at port of entry a letter of registration from the relevant education institution. The letter of registration should contain details of the insurance cover taken out on behalf of each student by their educational institution. Alternative evidence will be taken to be a Certificate of Private Insurance taken out by the student in the US prior to travel. Students attending a course of study more than one academic year in duration are entitled to public health services in Ireland.
Additionally an immigration officer has the right to request any other information he/she deems necessary in connection with entry. The final decision on right of entry rests with the immigration office at port of entry and it is not possible to obtain pre-entry clearance.
Persons entering Ireland for study for a period longer than 90 days are required to obtain permission to remain within the first week following their arrival. Persons seeking this permission should report to the Aliens Registration office, An Garda Siochana, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 or if outside the Dublin are, to the local Police Superintendent's Office. An unauthorized overstay could result in prosecution, imprisonment, and a fine.
The following documentation is required in support of an application:
Completed Aliens Registration Form - available from local Irish police stations
Possission of a valid passport
4 passport sized photographs
The documentation outlined in section one which was presented at port of entry.
Permission to remain cannot be obtrained before you arrive in Ireland and Aliens Registration Forms are not available from the Consulate.
US nationals who have permission to remain in Ireland as students are entitled to take up casual employment (defined as up to 20 hours part time work per week or full time work during vacation periods) for the duration of their permission to remain. It is a breach of student conditions to be in full time employment other than during vacation periods. Students must (as stated above) provide evidence of sufficient funds and any expectation of earnings from casual employment will not be taken into account in determining whether the person has sufficient funds to support themselves.
The information above is provided as guidence only, this process takes place in Ireland the requirements are at the discretion of the Irish government. This information is subject to change without notice. Please confirm your travel requirements the the
Irish authorities