> STUDY VISA

GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION
-The application forms
-Submitting documents and other material
-Payment of Tuition Fees
-Passport
-Interview
-Medical

ADVICE FOR STUDY VISA APPLICANTS
-Should I use an agent?
-Planning and Preparation
-Your curriculum vitae
-Study Plan
-Standard of English
-Funds

ENTITLEMENT TO TAKE UP CASUAL EMPLOYMENT

RENEWAL OF PERMISSION TO REMAIN

CHECK LIST

USEFUL LINKS

GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION

Application Form

• Type or write clearly in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS when completing application forms
• You must answer all questions on both the ' Additional Form to be Completed by Study Visa Applicants' (BJ(S) ) and the 'Application for Visa' form (V.A.1 ) .
• Incomplete application forms will be considered invalid.
• You must sign the application form. If you have had assistance in completing this form you should only sign it when you are satisfied that all information is true and correct . You are responsible for the information provided.

Submitting documents and other material in support of your application

• Carefully read the Additional Form to be Completed by Study Visa Applicants (BJ(S) which is to be submitted with your application. Here you will find instructions regarding documents that are required with your application . This list of documents is not exhaustive. You should submit any additional documents that you feel will assist the Visa Officer in making a decision on your application.
• Submission of false or misleading information will result in a visa application being refused. This will also be taken into account in any future visa application the applicant might make.
• All information requested may potentially be needed during investigation of an applicant. An applicant who fails to provide information such as phone numbers or other contact details requested is hindering our ability to carry out checks and as a result we may be unsatisfied as to the applicant's bona fides.
• Applicants should expect verification checks to be undertaken in respect of the information and documents supplied.
• Originals of all documents must be submitted along with a translated copy in English. Documents not translated from Chinese to English will not be considered.
• Please supply one photocopy of all documents that you would like returned to you. If you do not supply a photocopy the original document will not be returned to you.
• Three passport-size colour photographs, taken in the previous six months , should be attached to the application form.
• Photocopy of your family hukou

Payment of Tuition Fees

It is a requirement for study visa applications that full fees are paid in advance of submitting an application.

An application must include an original letter of acceptance from the university, college or school in which the applicant intends to study which clearly states the cost of tuition (and other fees payable) for the course and the exact sum paid by the applicant.

Proof of fees paid:

Evidence of fees paid must be submitted in the form of an original letter issued by the school. This letter must be accompanied by details of the relevant bank transaction from the Irish bank confirming that the funds for the named individual have been received in the school's account.

Under guidelines issued by the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform it is not expected that an applicant pay more than a total of €6,000 in fees prior to a visa being issued. This does not affect requirements of individual educational institutions.

In light of higher than average approval rates in certain provinces of the People's Republic of China , the Visa Office, Beijing has decided to offer "Privileged Status" to certain applications. Privileged Status applications may be lodged without the need to have full school fees paid in advance.

Where Privileged Status is claimed:

• The school letter must indicate the amount of fees paid by way of deposit, if any, and the balance due on receipt of the visa approval.
• Approvals will be notified to the agent or student, but no visa will be issued until proof of fees paid as outlined above is submitted to the Visa Office.
• Any abuse by particular agents or schools which significantly alters the approval rate for a province will result in the privilege being withdrawn from them.
• Applications from other areas must provide evidence that all fees have been paid prior to the visa application being submitted to the Visa Office.

Below is a list of provinces of the People's Republic of China to which Privileged Status applies.

Passport

• The passport must be submitted with the visa application.
• Please include a photocopy of the passport bio page, all visas and all stamps
• The passport must have no less than six months validity from the date of the completion of the course.
• If you held a passport previous to your current valid passport or are currently travelling on a replacement passport you must submit the original of your old passport with your application. If you no longer have the original of an old passport you must submit a photocopy of the passport. Photocopies of old passports must include every page of the passport, not just those with visas. Y ou must clearly explain why you replaced your old passport and include any relevant police reports in your application. A decision on a visa application will not be issued until all relevant passports are seen by the Visa Office.

Interview

• Visa applicants are not generally required to attend for an interview, however the Visa Office reserves the right to request an applicant to attend for interview on a case-by-case basis.

Medical Check

• Visa applicants are not required to have a medical check before a visa is issued.

ADVICE FOR STUDY VISA APPLICANTS

Should I use an agent?
The Visa Office does not use different criteria to assess applications lodged by individuals and applications lodged by an agent.

If you decide to use the services of an agent when making your visa application remember that you are responsible for the documents submitted even if they are submitted by an agent on your behalf.

If it is found that you have used false or misleading documents in support of your visa application then this will affect all future applications for an Irish visa. Submit authentic documents only. Applicants should expect verification checks to be carried out on all documents that are submitted.

Planning and Preparation
It is expected that a genuine student will have done sufficient planning and preparation to be capable of answering all questions on both application forms. Have you researched how much money you will need to entirely cover your tuition, accommodation and maintenance for the duration of your study plan? Does the proposed length of stay on your application form correspond with the verified course acceptance details that you will submit with your application?

Your curriculum vitae
Do not leave gaps in your curriculum vitae. Give details about how you are currently spending your time. Explain what you have been doing since you graduated Senior Middle School. If you have been studying part-time, explain how you are spending the rest of your time and submit documents to support this.

Study Plan
Does your study plan clearly show the thought and research that you have invested in your decision to study in Ireland? Do not leave gaps in your study plan. If you plan to spend four years studying in Ireland then explain exactly where and what you will be studying. You should also explain why you have selected specific courses and how they relate to your experience. Include details of your intentions after you have completed your study plan.

Standard of English
We need to know your current standard of English so we can assess whether or not your study plan is feasible. Your English level should be recorded in documentary evidence, for example in the form of a test score.

Funds
You must satisfy the Visa Office that you can afford to complete your study plan. A bank statement that shows a large sum of money on deposit will not prove that an applicant has sufficient funds unless it is supported by clear and transparent supporting documentation. It must be clear that all monies genuinely belong to the applicant and his or her sponsor and that the money was not deposited solely for the purposes of the application. Savings records covering at least a twelve-month period must be provided. The savings records should be consistent with the income of the applicant and his or her sponsor. Any inconsistencies must be explained.

Adhering to the following guidelines will ensure that your application is processed without delay:

• Submit all requisite documents with your application.
• Arrange documents in a logical order
• Do not send documents to the Visa Office prior to lodging your application.
• Read and take note of all relevant information on this website and on the visa application form before submitting your application
• Do not use any clips, staples or files to attach sheets together in your application.

How long will my application take？
We aim to make a decision on your application as soon as possible however, please allow twenty working days for your application to be processed.

Processing times may vary for Visit, Study and Join Family visa applications lodged at the Consulate in Shanghai . Every effort will be made to expedite the process, but at peak times applications lodged at the Consulate in Shanghai may take 20-30 working days to process.

ENTITLEMENT TO TAKE UP CASUAL EMPLOYMENT
From 18 April 2005 new non-EEA national students granted permission to remain in the State on registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau will not be permitted access to employment unless they are attending a full-time course of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science.

A register of approved programmes compiled by the Department of Education and Science for this purpose is published on the Department's Website and will be updated on a monthly basis. Click here for a direct link to the registers.

Those permitted access to employment may enter casual employment only (defined as up to 20 hours part time work per week or full-time during normal vacation periods). Access to employment is not permitted to other students.

The entitlement to take up employment will cease upon the expiry of permission to remain as a student. Having been in casual employment will not, in itself, entitle a person to further permission to remain. It will continue to be a breach of their student conditions to be in full time employment, other than during vacation periods.

This will not affect students who have current permission to remain at the date of introduction ( 18 April 2005 ). Their access to employment may continue for the duration of their permission to remain.

Please note that the expectation of any earnings from casual employment while in Ireland will not be taken into account in determining whether or not the person has sufficient funds to support himself or herself while in the State.

Students who wish to continue in employment following the completion of their course of studies will require a work permit to do so. Visa required nationals will be required to return home while the work permit is being processed and to apply for an employment visa in order to return to the state. Please see the section on Employment Visas

RENEWAL OF PERMISSION TO REMAIN
From 1 January 2005 students on courses other than full-time courses of at least one year's duration leading to a recognised qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science will be allowed to renew their permission to remain only where the total period of permissions granted and sought does not exceed 18 months.
In the case of students already having permission to remain before that date, the period of 18 months will be calculated from 1 January 2005.

CHECK LIST

Before you complete your study visa application please click on the following three links and thoroughly read the information they contain

General Information for all Visa types

Study Visa

Additional Form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants

Your application should contain the following documents. Please note the following list is not exhaustive and applications should be supported by all information considered relevant.

• Passport
• Please include a photocopy of the passport bio page, all visas and all stamps
• Completed Visa Application Form and Additional Form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants
• 4 colour passport photos taken in the past six months
• A letter of Registration from an Irish university, college or school stating that you have been accepted on a course of study, which complies with guidelines issued by the department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. This letter must name you (the applicant), verify the nature / duration of the course and confirm that all tuition fees and accommodation fees (where applicable) have been paid in full.
• Please read the section on the Payment of Tuition Fees
• Full private medical insurance. If medical insurance is included in fees paid then the letter from the school should contain details of the insurance cover taken out on your behalf by the host university, college or school in Ireland .
• Resume. This should contain an explanation as to how your education and / or work history is linked to your proposed course of study in Ireland
• If you are currently studying, an original letter from your current place of study that verifies the information given in your resume. This letter should include a contact name, address and phone number for the school.
• If you have graduated from senior middle school, you must supply your original graduation certificate. If you have graduated from a 3 rd level course then you need only supply your most recent graduation certificate.
• Parents' letter of employment. See Additional Form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants for details
• Applicant's letter of employment (if applicable). See Additional Form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants for details
• Statement of finances. See Additional Form to be completed by Study Visa Applicants for details
• Photocopy of applicant's family hukou
• Notarised certificate confirming no criminal record
• Notarised certificate of family relations
• Notarised certificate of birth

USEFUL LINKS
www.educationireland.ie A government website which has useful information relating to the Irish education system, third level institutions, courses, learning English and further links.

 www.acels.ie The Advisory Council for English Language Schools established under the auspices of the Irish Department of Education & Science to control standards in EFL schools. Contains the official list of schools and organisations recognised by the Department of Education & Science.

www.irlgov.ie This site will help you to find government organisations or information by providing links, indices of recent publications and a search engine that searches all government sites. There is also general information about Ireland .

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