By Staff Reporter

Ahead of a new academic year, the Department of Justice has warned international students coming from non-EEA countries not to arrive at any Irish border without relevant documentary evidence from the educational institution they are attending, or they will be refused entry.

This follows several incidents where students from various parts of the world have presented themselves to immigration at Ireland’s airports without any evidence of enrolment on a study programme.

“If you plan on studying in Ireland, you must have letter of enrolment from your college in Ireland before you travel to Ireland. This applies if you book directly with a college in Ireland or if you book with agency in Ireland or in your home country,” the Department said in a statement.

“If you do not have a letter of enrolment you will be refused entry at the port of entry. This requirement applies to all non-EEA nationals, both those who require a visa and those who can travel to Ireland without a visa.”
Sixty thousand non-EEA students are expected to register in Ireland this school year – a rise of 5,000 last year’s numbers. 

Following their registration, they would have three months from their date of arrival in the State to obtain a student visa from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) on Dublin’s Burgh Quay or from one of a number of designated Garda stations outside Dublin.

Meanwhile, the Justice Minister has announced a new online immigration registration renewal system for third-level students.

Coinciding with the start of the new academic year, students from outside Europe who live in the greater Dublin area will from 26 August be able to renew their immigration registration online.

More than 8,000 students are expected to benefit between September and November 2019. 

The Department said the online renewal will replace the existing system which required Dublin-based students to be physically present at the Burgh Quay registration office.

Students based outside of the capital can also avail of the service, which requires submitting one’s passport by registered post to the INIS.