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How do I renew my student visa?

Abigail McConnell
Abigail McConnell
  • Updated

Students must be resident in Ireland to renew their registration with immigration.

The visa renewal service is available online for students living in Dublin and whose IRP card recently expired or is due to expire within 12 weeks. The service is only available to students that need to renew their registration and is not available for students registering for the first time. Please note that there can be backlogs in visa renewals and it could take 4-8 weeks for immigration to process your renewal. Further information about the processing times can be found on the immigration website.

Students living outside of Dublin will need to renew their visa at their local Garda station.

 

Steps to complete before renewing your visa

  1. Register - You must be registered with NCI for the academic year and have paid your tuition fees.
  2. Buy Medical Insurance - Students who are renewing their student visa must purchase medical insurance from an Irish provider. For more information on insurance see NCI website.
  3. Request a visa renewal letter from international support - Request an NCI visa renewal letter by completing the letter request form and submitting it to International Support on the NCI Support Hub. Letters are issued to students within two working days however, if any details are missing from the letter request form, it will delay the process. 
  4. Gather required documents - The required documents for Undergraduate and Master's students are different. Please see the required documents listed below for each.  
  5. Gather supporting documents if applicable - Immigration might request additional documents depending on the reason for your visa renewal. These documents might include,
    • Copy of your transcripts or results - this is available on your Mydetails account or it can be requested from the Exams Office on the Support Hub
    • Attendance Record - this can be requested from Student Support on the Support Hub
    • Medical records and/or certificates 
    • Flight details if you deferred your programme or modules and travelled home 
    • Any other documents that might give a better understanding of why you did not complete your programme as planned

Visa Renewal Documents for Undergraduate Students

  • Undergraduate Students that are progressing to the next academic year or
  • Undergraduate Students who did not complete their studies within the original timeline as they are: repeating some modules, or returning following an approved deferral, or returning after being suspended

Checklist for Visa Renewal

Visa Renewals Documents Needed
  1. The biometric page of your current valid passport(s). This is the page that shows your photograph, passport number and date of birth.
  2. The front and back of your current IRP card. This is the credit-card sized plastic card you received when you last registered your permission.
    1. Proof of your enrolment on a full time higher education and
      listed on the ILEP.
  3. Proof of your exam results.
  4. Proof that you have paid college/university fees.
  5. Proof of your scholarship funding (if applicable).
  6. Proof of your private medical insurance. Insurance MUST cover accidents & medical incidents including hospital stays for the duration of your residence. Travel insurance is NOT sufficient for Visa Renewal.
  1. Passport
  2. IRP Card
    1. NCI Visa Renewal Letter
  3. Exam results (available on mydetails)
  4. NCI fees receipt
  5. NCI statement of account 
  6. Your medical insurance

 

Visa Renewal Documents for Master's Students

  • Master's Students who do not complete their studies within the original timeline as they are: repeating some modules, or returning following an approved deferral, or returning after being suspended
  • Masters Students for School of Business from the January intake. New international students must first register in person with immigration, and they will receive their visa for 12-15 months. These students must then renew their visa again until they graduate.

Checklist for Visa Renewal

Visa Renewals Documents Needed
  1. The biometric page of your current valid passport(s). This is the page that shows your photograph, passport number and date of birth.
  2. The front and back of your current IRP card. This is the credit-card sized plastic card you received when you last registered your permission.
  3. Proof of your enrolment on a full time course higher education course listed on the ILEP.
  4. Proof that you have paid college/university fees.
  5. Proof of your scholarship funding (if applicable).
  6. Proof of your private medical insurance. Insurance MUST cover accidents & medical incidents including hospital stays for the duration of your residence. Travel insurance is NOT sufficient for Visa Renewal.
  1. Passport
  2. IRP Card
  3. NCI Visa Renewal Letter
  4. NCI fees receipt
  5. NCI statement of account
  6. Your medical insurance

 

Online Renewal Process for Students Living in Dublin

  • Go to the Irish Immigration website for visa renewal.
  • Submit your renewal application online uploading all supporting documents (listed below) and paying the fee.
  • Once your application is processed you will receive your new IRP card in the post a few weeks later.
  • Registration renewal processing times and further information can be found on the immigration website.

The decision to renew the student visa is up to the immigration officer dealing with a student’s individual case.

Students may not get their visa renewed following their application but may be asked to send their request to Unit 1 Extension of Student Permission in Burgh Quay. Students should email Unit 1 at
unit1residencedivision@justice.ie explaining why they did not complete as planned (e.g. sick and provide evidence) and give details when they will complete their studies.

NCI cannot lobby immigration or intervene on behalf of students regarding their student visa.

If you have any queries for immigration, you must email immigrationsupport@justice.ie.

 

Recently Graduated? Please see How do I apply for the 1G visa?

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