If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area, you must register your presence in Ireland with An Garda Síochána (the police).
When you arrive in Ireland, your passport will be stamped to allow you to remain in Ireland for a short period of time. You must then register with immigration in Leixlip or Dublin in order to receive your Irish Residence Permit.
You should only present yourself for registration with the Immigration service after you have registered as a student at the University.
When you meet the registration officer, you must provide certain information and evidence about your status (see below). Any changes you wish to make to the length of your stay or status must be reported to immigration officials. You must also notify the registration officer if you plan to move to another Garda District, and report to the registration officer of that new district within 2 days of arriving to live there.
Following registration with immigration officials, you will be issued with a registration certificate which is call the Irish Residence Permit card. Detailed information on the Irish Residence Permit card is available here
You must renew your Residence permit annually – failure to do so will result in severe penalties. Each student is responsible for maintaining a valid immigration card. You will follow the same procedure each time. However, in subsequent years, proof of an Irish bank account with a history of three months activity will suffice for financial evidence.
Scholarship Students:
In addition to the standard documentation, students in receipt of a scholarship which either part funds or fully funds both their course fees and living costs must provide a letter, issued to them by the relevant organisation confirming they are the recipient of a scholarship.
What to bring with you to obtain your Irish Residence Permit:
- Passport
- Letter from Maynooth University to confirm you are a registered student
- Maynooth University student card
- Evidence of medical insurance
- Study Abroad students have to show a bank statement or evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. Full Year Study Abroad: minimum balance is €4,500 in an Irish bank acocunt. Semester Only Study Abroad: minimum balance is €500 per month in a US bank account. The bank account must be in your own name.
- Non-Visa requiring students have to show evidence that they have access to at least €4,500 per year of their studies. If the duration of the course is less than 6 months, they must have access to €500 per month of their stay or €3,000, whichever is the lesser.
- Visa requiring students do not show proof of finance. Your ability to support yourself financially in Ireland is checked during the visa application process.
- Payment of €300. This can be paid by bank giro, which is issued to you at your local Garda station. You must then take this form to a bank and pay the fee and return it to the station. You may also pay by credit card or debit card (as long as the card is a 'chip and pin' card); cash payments are not accepted.
You must renew your Irish Residence Permit annually – failure to do so will result in severe penalties. Each student is responsible for maintaining a valid immigration card. You will follow the same procedure each time. However, in subsequent years, proof of an Irish bank account with a history of three months activity will suffice for financial evidence. Information on renewing your permit can be found here.
If you live in Maynooth, or the surrounding towns, you must report to the Garda Station in Leixlip. You will be able to schedule a meeting with the Immigration Officer with the assistance of International Office staff. Do not worry, all of this will be explained during our Orientation session!
If you make an appointment through this system you do not need to request a separate immigration letter, the International Office will create one for you and send it to the Immigration Officer in Leixlip.
Leixlip is just 10 minutes from Maynooth and easily reached by bus or train. You can take the 66 bus from main street Maynooth and get off right outside the Garda station at the traffic lights just before Leixlip village. If taking the train, it is the very next stop after Maynooth - Leixlip Louisa Bridge and is then a short 5 minute walk straight down the road to the Garda station. Click here for a map of the location of Leixlip Garda Station.
If you live in Dublin you must report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau on 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Appointments should be made online: Burgh Quay Registration Office. You must request a supporting letter from the International Office once you have registered with the university through this online form.
From 13 May 2019 visa required nationals who hold a valid IRP/GNIB card will no longer need a re-entry visa to travel to Ireland. Their IRP/GNIB card and passport will be sufficient. You can find more information here.
Third Level Graduate Scheme
As of 10th April 2007, legally resident non-EEA third level graduates have been allowed to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card or work permit. Graduates who have studied for a primary, masters or doctorate degree from an Irish third level educational institution are entitled to avail of this scheme.
To apply graduates should present at their local Garda Siochána registration office, or at the Garda National immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 with relevant supporting documentation.Documents required when making an application:
• An original letter signed by the College (on the headed paper of the College) stating that the applicant has completed the course of study satisfactorily and the qualification gained.
• Current passport
• Current Irish Residence Permit card.
For more full information of the conditions, requirements and application procedures of this scheme please visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website.
With effect from today 01 March 2022 a new version of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, will commence to issue to all non-EEA nationals registered to live/work/study in Ireland. Further details in the following document:
IO_IRP Change_01March2022
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Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Your Republic of Ireland immigration status or visa is not valid there.
Immigration spot checks are undertaken by British authorities throughout Northern Ireland.
You must check if you need to have a visa to visit Northern Ireland.
British immigration information can be found at www.gov.uk
