- Post-study options updated
refreshed graduate permission and dependent-family conditions from current ISD guidance (irishimmigration.ie; irishimmigration.ie).
IE
Stamp 2 Student Visa
Active
Post-study work
Ireland · apply online
Tuition
$12k–70k
per year
Work during study
20 hrs/week
vacations: 40 hrs/week
Post-study work
12 months
Proof of funds
$11,000
per year
Path to staying
- Study12 months, renewable
- Post-study workup to 12 months
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 5 years
Overview
- Country
- Ireland
- Visa name
- Stamp 2 Student Visa
- Status
- Active
- Duration
- 12 months
- Max duration
- 84 months
- Renewable
- Yes
Immigration permission for non-EEA/non-Swiss students studying full-time eligible programmes in Ireland. Eligible programmes are on the ILEP or offered by an authorised TrustEd Ireland provider. Stamp 2 allows limited part-time work during studies. Students staying over 90 days must register their permission and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Full fee
- Tuition range
- $11,500 – $69,900/year
- Proof of funds
- $11,000/year
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
For 2025/26 non-EU higher education tuition, official ranges across fields of study are undergraduate EUR €10,300–€62,500/year and postgraduate EUR €11,000–€40,000/year. Fees vary by field and provider; English-language fees vary separately. These are international fee-paying programmes; the EU Free Fees Initiative does not make Stamp 2 non-EEA students generally tuition-free.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Term hours
- 20 hrs/week
- Vacation hours
- 40 hrs/week
- Permission
- Automatic
Up to 20 hours/week during term and up to 40 hours/week during the permitted vacation periods: June, July, August and September, and 15 December–15 January. Stamp 2A does not permit work. Eligible Stamp 2 employment is permitted without a separate employment permit; self-employment and business activity are prohibited.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp 1G (Third Level Graduate Programme) | Job seeker | 12 mo–24 mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
Language requirements
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English Language Assessments (CELA) | Visa | English | PET pass / Cambridge pass | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. For 2nd level/foundation, a Preliminary English Test pass is accepted; other courses accept the listed Cambridge and Business English certificates. |
| TOEFL iBT | Visa | English | 47 / 61 | Includes TOEFL iBT At Home Edition; visa minimum, course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 47 for 2nd level/foundation and 61 for other courses. |
| Duolingo English Test | Visa | English | 55 / 75 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 55 for 2nd level/foundation and 75 for other courses. |
| English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP) | Visa | English | B1 / B2 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is B1 for 2nd level/foundation and B2 for other courses. |
| International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA) | Visa | English | B1 / B2 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is B1 for 2nd level/foundation and B2 for other courses. |
| IELTS Academic | Visa | English | 4.0 / 5.0 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 4.0 for 2nd level/foundation and 5.0 for other courses. |
| IELTS UKVI | Visa | English | 4.0 / 5.0 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 4.0 for 2nd level/foundation and 5.0 for other courses. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Visa | English | 30 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The score is 30 for both course categories. |
| Oxford Test of English | Visa | English | 81 / 100 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 81 for 2nd level/foundation and 100 for other courses. |
| Skills for English Four Facet Test | Visa | English | B1 / B2 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is B1 for 2nd level/foundation and B2 for other courses. |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | Visa | English | B1 / B2 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is B1 for 2nd level/foundation and B2 for other courses. |
| LanguageCert Academic | Visa | English | 40 / 60 | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. The threshold is 40 for 2nd level/foundation and 60 for other courses. |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English | Visa | English | ISE I / ISE II | Visa minimum; course admission requirements may be higher. ISE I (B1) is accepted for 2nd level/foundation and ISE II (B2) for other courses. |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Multi-Entry) | Application | $110 | One time |
| Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Registration | Registration | $330 | Annual |
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 5 years
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- www.irishimmigration.ie
- Health insurance
- Required (buy separately)
Notes and caveats
The ILEP is closed to new programme listings and is being superseded by TrustEd Ireland: eligible programmes may still appear on ILEP or be offered by providers authorised to use the TrustEd mark. Stamp 2 student permission is capped at seven years overall; student-pathway time can reach eight years for eligible Level 9+ graduates using Stamp 1G. Stamp 2A covers certain non-eligible full-time study and does not allow work. Stamp 2 and 2A time do not count toward naturalisation residence. Students generally cannot sponsor family reunification; limited exceptions include eligible PhD students, subject to policy conditions.
Also in Ireland
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source