India → Ireland: the Student visa (Stamp 2) roadmap
Ireland's long-stay D study visa leads to Stamp 2 permission, the main route for non-EEA students on a full-time ILEP course of at least one academic year. Applicants need an acceptance letter, prepaid tuition, private medical insurance and proof of EUR 10000 living funds. Stamp 2 does not count toward citizenship and settlement runs via post-study Stamp 1G into an employment permit Stamp 1 and Stamp 4.</summary> </invoke>
Moving from India
- You apply for the Student visa (Stamp 2) at the Ireland consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves India, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in India usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward Ireland's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your India documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a India passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any India to Ireland applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by Ireland.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Acceptance onto a full-time course of at least one year on the ILEP list
- Proof of EUR 10000 first-year living funds or EUR 6665 for courses of 8 months or less
- Tuition fees paid in advance
- Private medical insurance for the study period
- English proficiency such as IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 where required
Your step-by-step roadmap
Admission and finances
- Get an unconditional ILEP course offer
- Pay tuition and arrange medical insurance
- Document EUR 10000 in accessible funds
Apply for the D study visa
- Apply online via AVATS and pay the fee
- Submit offer finances insurance and passport
- Await decision about 4 to 8 weeks
Arrive and register
- Enter Ireland before the course start
- Register for the IRP and pay EUR 300
- Hold Stamp 2 and renew annually
Post-study work
- Apply for Stamp 1G of 12 months Level 8 or 24 months Level 9 plus
- Work up to 40 hrs per week to find graduate employment
Long-term residence
- Get a job and employment permit for Stamp 1
- Build reckonable residence toward Stamp 4
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: Offer to arrival takes about 2 to 4 months with a visa decision in roughly 4 to 8 weeks, then Stamp 2 renews annually through study, followed by 12 to 24 months of post-study work on Stamp 1G.
Citizenship: Stamp 2 is not reckonable so settlement on Stamp 4 typically comes about 5 years after graduation via Stamp 1G plus qualifying employment, and naturalisation needs 5 years or 1825 days of reckonable residence in the last 9 years counting Stamp 1G 1 and 4 but not Stamp 2.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.