Long Stay 'D' — Student Verified 2026-06-09Ireland Student Visa (Long Stay 'D')
Long stay 'D' visa for Indian students enrolled in an eligible Irish programme longer than 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy; register with immigration after arrival.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Ireland visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Processing
Generally about 8 weeks
Stay Duration
Matches the course duration
Starting Fee
≈ ₹5,500
Apply At
8 VFS centres
Your whole Ireland Student Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Ireland file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 100+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, in one glance
What the ₹24,999–₹34,999 fee covers for a Ireland file
- We work out what your case actually is, before touching a form
- We build the checklist around your profile, not a template
- We read your documents against each other, not against a list
- Financial proof review
- Purpose of travel structuring
- Cover letter / explanation support
- Return ties review
- Sponsor / invitation guidance
- Application form guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Biometrics guidance
- Post-submission support
Government, VFS, insurance, ticket and hotel costs are separate and charged at cost. Read what each item means, in full.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Ireland visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Your course MUST be on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland eligible list — English programmes must be at least 25 weeks; higher education is NFQ level 6–10.
- 2Pay course fees to the eligible provider before applying; eligible providers hold the fees in a separate account until the visa is decided.
- 3Ireland is NOT Schengen — apply via AVATS, then submit the printed Summary Application Form with original documents in hardcopy.
- 4After arrival you must register with immigration and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (Stamp 2).
- 5A short course under 90 days is treated as a visit and uses the short stay 'C' visa instead.
Who Can Apply
- Indian students enrolled on an eligible ILEP / TrustEd Ireland programme longer than 90 days
- English language students on a programme of at least 25 weeks
- Higher-education students on NFQ level 6–10 / professional / foundation programmes
- Students who have paid the required course fees and can show sufficient funds
Not eligible under this visa:
- Short courses under 90 days — treated as a visit; apply for a short stay 'C' (tourist/study) visa instead
- Applicants without an acceptance letter from an eligible (ILEP/TrustEd) provider
- Courses not appearing on the ILEP / TrustEd Ireland eligible lists
- Anyone primarily intending to work rather than study (work is limited and conditional under Stamp 2)
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Ireland / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long stay 'D' student visa — Single entry | ≈ ₹5,500 |
| VFS Global service charge | Varies |
| Course fees (paid to the institution before applying) | Varies |
The long stay 'D' student visa fee is €60 single entry (or €100 multiple entry where granted), converted to INR at the consular/VFS rate, plus a VFS service charge — verify the live figures on the VFS Global Ireland India page before applying. Separately, you must pay your course fees to an eligible (ILEP/TrustEd) provider before applying; eligible providers hold those fees in a dedicated account until your visa is decided. Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the decision.
Flights · Hotels · Insurance · Itinerary
What Ireland actually requires — and what it does not.
Ireland assesses purpose, funds and your reason to return — this paperwork exists to make those three answerable.
0 of 4 are compulsory for Ireland
Flight reservation
A return reservation covering your stated dates. A real held PNR is enough; paying for a ticket before a decision puts money at risk.
Where people slip: Dates that do not match the application form.
How to hold a flight without payingHotel booking
Accommodation for the stay, or a host's invitation carrying their address and status.
Where people slip: Nights with nothing shown against them.
Refundable hotel booking, explainedTravel insurance
Check the specific requirement for Ireland before buying — it varies, and being sold cover you do not need is common.
Where people slip: A policy that does not cover the full length of the stay.
What the cover must actually sayTravel itinerary
A short plan tying the trip to a real reason and a return date.
Where people slip: A plan longer than your approved leave.
The letter your itinerary attaches toWe arrange all four for your Ireland file.
We are a B2B travel agency as well as a visa consultancy, working with partners including Riya Travel — so the flight, the hotel and the policy all come from us, issued the same day, and you deal with one team instead of four. Every booking is a real one under your own name.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Core Documents
4 items- Signed and dated AVATS Summary Application FormRequired
Generated by AVATS for a long stay 'D' study application; print, sign and date it.
- Current passport + full copy of all previous passportsRequired
Valid for the study period.
- Two colour passport photographsRequired
Not more than 6 months old.
- Signed letter of applicationRequired
Explaining your study plan and intentions.
Admission & Academic
5 items- Letter of Acceptance from an eligible (ILEP / TrustEd) collegeRequired
Confirming enrolment on a programme longer than 90 days.
- Evidence that course fees have been paid to the collegeRequired
Eligible providers hold the fees in a separate account until the visa is decided.
- Evidence of your academic ability to follow the courseRequired
Prior qualifications, transcripts and degrees.
- Evidence accounting for any gaps in your educational history
- Evidence of your level of English (or Irish)Required
As required by the programme.
Finance & Insurance
2 items- Proof of sufficient financesRequired
Evidence you can support your stay without relying on casual work — original bank statements / sponsor proof / scholarship letter as applicable.
- Private medical insuranceRequired
Full private cover as required for the study category.
Compliance & Minors
5 items- Details of any previous visa refusals (any country)Required
Must be disclosed — non-disclosure causes refusal.
- For unaccompanied students under 18: birth certificate
Plus extra documentation for minors.
- For unaccompanied students under 18: consent of parent / legal guardian
- For unaccompanied students under 18: accommodation and vetting certificate
- Certified English/Irish translations + attestation/apostille for non-EEA civil documents
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
6 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Choose an eligible programme and get accepted
Pick a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or TrustEd Ireland list and obtain a Letter of Acceptance from the provider.
- 02
Pay your course fees
Pay the required course fees to the eligible provider (held in a separate account until the visa is decided) and get evidence of payment.
- 03
Create your AVATS application
Complete the online AVATS application for a long stay 'D' study visa honestly and in full. Note your Visa Application Transaction Number.
- 04
Print and sign the Summary Application Form
Print, sign and date the generated form, which tells you where to submit your documents.
- 05
Submit documents and pay the visa fee
Submit the printed form plus original documents (acceptance letter, fee proof, academic records, finances, insurance, refusal disclosure) and visa fee to the application office — for Indian applicants via VFS Global Ireland or the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi. Provide biometrics if requested.
- 06
Register after arrival
After arriving in Ireland, register with immigration and obtain your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) / Stamp 2 permission.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Confirm your course is on the ILEP or TrustEd Ireland list BEFORE paying any provider — visas are refused for non-eligible courses.
- Show funds comfortably above the minimum and clearly evidence you will not rely on casual work — insufficient finances is a common refusal reason.
- Disclose every past visa refusal (any country); non-disclosure is itself a refusal ground.
- Apply well ahead of your course start date — long stay 'D' decisions generally take about 8 weeks and can be longer.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Course not on the ILEP / TrustEd Ireland eligible list, or no genuine acceptance letter
- 2Insufficient proof of finances to support the stay without casual work
- 3Doubts about the genuineness of the study plan or academic progression
Download official forms
Each link opens the official Ireland page on VFS Global (we never host third-party forms): pick your visa category there and use its "Download Form" section for the current version.
AVATS — Online Visa Application (Automated Visa Application and Tracking System)
Create and complete your Irish visa application online here. The system generates a Summary Application Form — print, sign and date it and submit it WITH your supporting documents. There is no separate downloadable paper application form, and Ireland does not issue e-visas.
VFS Global Ireland (India) — appointment & document submission
After completing AVATS, Indian applicants submit the printed summary form, original documents and fee here (or as directed on the summary form). Book any required biometrics appointment via VFS.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Ireland Student Visa (Long Stay 'D') is a 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Your programme must be on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland eligible programmes list. This covers English language programmes of at least 25 weeks, higher-education programmes at NFQ levels 6 to 10, professional awards and foundation programmes. Always confirm your exact course is listed before paying any provider.
For a course longer than 90 days you apply for a long stay 'D' student visa and must register with immigration after arrival. A short course of under 90 days is treated as a visit and uses a short stay 'C' visa instead.
Students with a valid Stamp 2 permission may work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours per week in set holiday periods (June–September and 15 December–15 January). However, the visa is for study, so you must show you have enough funds to support yourself without relying on casual work.
Decisions generally take about 8 weeks from when your documents are received and can be longer, so apply well ahead of your course start. The 'D' visa fee is €60 single entry (or €100 multiple entry where granted) plus a VFS service charge, converted to INR — verify the live amount on the VFS Global Ireland India page. Course fees are separate and paid to the provider.
Reviewed by Paramjit Singh, SureshotVisa — a government-licensed consultancy (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024). Verify us.
How we get it done
Your Ireland Ireland Student Visa, from your first message to your passport back.
5 questions about this visa specifically. The first two are open — tap any other to read it.
Refused? Our full service fee comes back.Government and visa-centre fees are the one part nobody can refund.
+What does Ireland want to see about my funds as a student?
That the money for tuition and living costs exists, is available to you, and came from somewhere explainable. Depending on the country that is a blocked account, a fixed deposit, a sanctioned education loan or a sponsor's income — and the sponsor's relationship to you has to be documented. The most common failure is not a small amount, it is an unexplained one: a large transfer landing shortly before the application, with no trail behind it, reads worse than a smaller balance with history.
+Do I still have to prove I will come back?
Yes, on most study routes — and it surprises people, because the whole point is a multi-year stay. The officer is asking whether the study plan is genuine and whether you intend to comply with the visa, not whether you will never emigrate lawfully later. What answers it is coherence: the course matching your academic history, the cost matching your funding, and a plan that makes sense for someone who intends to finish it.
+How long does a Ireland Ireland Student Visa take, start to finish?
Three things sit between today and your trip: preparing the file properly, waiting for an appointment, and the mission's own processing. Ireland currently states Generally about 8 weeks from when your documents are received, but can be longer. Apply up to 3 months before travel and well ahead of your course start date. for the decision itself. We control the first, which is usually days. The middle depends on slot releases. The third is entirely the mission's and no consultant can shorten it — anyone telling you otherwise is selling something they cannot deliver. Tell us your travel date and we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic.
+How much of what I pay for the Ireland visa is actually your fee?
Most of it is not ours. The Ireland government fee (currently ≈ ₹5,500) goes to the mission and the visa-centre fee goes to VFS — both charged to you at cost, never marked up, and shown as separate lines on one GST invoice in the registered company name. Our service fee is the only part we set, and it is published rather than quoted case by case.
+How does SureshotVisa handle my Ireland Ireland Student Visa, from first message to passport back?
You send what you have on WhatsApp and a licensed consultant says the same working day whether the case is ready. We build the file around your profile, check every document against the others, write the cover letter to match them, and hold the file complete so the first workable appointment can be taken the moment it appears. You attend biometrics; we track the file to the decision (Ireland currently states Generally about 8 weeks from when your documents are received, but can be longer. Apply up to 3 months before travel and well ahead of your course start date.). Government and visa-centre fees (≈ ₹5,500 for this visa) are charged at cost; our own fee is published, and if the visa is refused that fee comes back in full.
Before you file
A Ireland Ireland Student Visa goes one of two ways.
Filed on a guessed checklist, the government fee is gone on a refusal and the refusal follows every future application. Filed after a licensed consultant has read the papers against each other, the file answers the officer's questions before they are asked. Same Ireland rules, different outcome. How we do that is written once, in full, on the method page rather than repeated here.
Other Ireland Visa Types
Ireland Tourist Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' visa for Indian citizens travelling to Ireland for tourism, sightseeing and leisure — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, then submit original documents at VFS Global / the Embassy of Ireland.
View guideIreland Business Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' business visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, negotiations, conferences or short work (14 days or less) in Ireland — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy.
View guideIreland Family / Friend Visit Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' visit visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Ireland — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy of Ireland.
View guideIreland Work Visa / Permit (Long Stay 'D' — Information Only)
Information only — Irish work routes need an employment permit / approval first, then a long stay 'D' work visa. SureshotVisa guides you through this route and, once you hold your own job offer or employer sponsorship, prepares and files the visa application — we are not a recruiting agent, so the offer must be yours.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Ireland website and Embassy of Ireland. Last verified 2026-06-09. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
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