Visa Information

Who needs to apply for a visa?

How do I apply for a student visa?

To apply for your study visa you must prepare a number of documents for your application. Your application should be submitted to your closest Irish Embassy or Consulate.

If your country does not have an Irish mission, you should forward your complete visa application to Dublin Business School for submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.

A list of Irish Embassies and Consulates overseas can be found by visiting the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie (Services to the public – Travel Advices – Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad) or your nearest Irish embassy for full details and updates on the visa application process

The Department of Justice in Ireland has issued guidelines for preparation of your visa application.
Here are listed the documents you need to provide to apply for visa:

Documents provided to you by DBS:

• Letter of Offer from DBS
• Receipt of fees evidence from DBS
• Private medical insurance. This is arranged for you by DBS and details will be given in your Letter of Offer and Receipt of Fees letter.

Documents provided by you:

• 3 copies of the visa application form available to download here
• A copy of the visa student questionnaire available to download here
• A copy of your birth certificate
• 3 passport photographs
• Detailed CV/Resume
• A student affidavit/declaration (please contact us at international@dbs.ie to receive and example of student affidavit/declaration)
• If you are being sponsored, an affidavit/declaration from your sponsor(s)
• A certificate of relationship between you and your sponsor(s)
• A statement of purpose/study plan explaining why you wish to study in Ireland
• Your previous academic records (relevant academic qualifications and exam transcripts: certificates and mark sheets from high school and university)
• Translated copies of your academic records if issued in another language than English
• Proof of English language standard where English is not your first language (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS)
• A reference letter from your school/college if you are currently a student
• A letter from your employer if you are currently working (this letter should confirm your position and salary.Your employer should also state the length of leave being granted to study abroad, and the purpose of participating in the proposed course of study. If currently in employment, evidence of your salary received such as a recent payslip)
• A copy of the bank draft
• Recent bank statements (no older than three months)
• Your sponsor(s) payslips if employed, or trade licence and tax income certificate if owner of a business
• A police clearance certificate
• Copy of valid passport (it must have 6 months validity from the date of course completion) and a copy of every page must be submitted
• The required application fee
• Details of family members living in Ireland or the EU

Please note that although you may be permitted to work part-time in Ireland during your Studies, these potential earnings will not be taken into account when assessing your financial capabilities.

Please also note that all copied documentation must be notarised, and official translations must be submitted where documentation is not in English.

All reference and documentation must be on official letter-headed paper, which includes contact addresses and telephone numbers. Please note that references may be checked by visa officials, and that students may be required to attend an interview.

Further Information

How long will it take for me to get my student visa?
The length of time needed to process a visa varies from country to country, but as a general rule you should leave at least 10 weeks for a decision from date of visa submission.

What happens if my visa is refused?
If your study visa application is refused, you have the right to a visa appeal. If you wish to proceed with a visa appeal, and if the college considers it feasible, Dublin Business School will write this appeal for you and submit it directly to the Department of Justice. A visa appeal generally takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Will I get a refund of fees if my visa is refused?
If your visa is refused you will receive a full refund of fees. No part of your fee will be retained. To apply for your refund you should post a copy of your visa refusal letter to Dublin Business School. Upon receipt of this your refund will be raised, and this will take approximately 10 working days to process.

I do not need a visa to travel to Ireland, but am not from a European country. What immigration requirements apply?
When you arrive in Ireland you will speak to an immigration official at Dublin Airport. This official will explain the length of time you have to register as a student in Ireland. After your arrival in Ireland please contact the International Department at Dublin Business School, and we will explain the immigration requirements to you in more detail and provide you with the documentation that you need to register with the immigration authorities.

What will my immigration status be?
To know more about your status you can consult the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland. Details on residency stamps and your rights as a migrant are given.


Checking in at the International Office on arrival
Upon arrival in Dublin Business School, you need to make your way to the International Student Services office based on Balfe Street Block B.
Once DBS have received full fees, the student will then receive:

• Bank letter. The student will have to produce a bank statement for registration at GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) Once the student receives the Bank Statement
• GNIB Letter. The student will receive a letter to register them with the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau)
• PPS Letter Your personal Public Service Number this is required for work purposes
• Refund of Homestay. If you have not availed of the Homestay service, we will refund the full amount at this stage

Study Visa Renewal
You are responsible for renewing your GNIB registration card each time it expires. It will usually expire at the end of your academic year, and must be renewed for the coming academic year of your course. To renew your GNIB registration card, you will need a letter from Dublin Business School with details of your course and your course attendance over the past year. Note that if your attendance is low, you may not be given permission to stay for the next year of your course.