Matt Carthy
Question:124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of stamp 2 student visas issued in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6824/26]
View answerWednesday, 28 January 2026
Questions (124)
Written answers
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how the Government intends to meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is currently working with other colleagues in Government Departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish it later this year.
As part of this strategic approach, I am reviewing the area of student permissions, including with regard to English Language students. This work is aimed at ensuring that the system remains robust and rules-based, supports high-quality education providers, and continues to offer a positive experience for genuine students coming to Ireland.
International students from outside the EU/EEA are granted a residence permission on Stamp 2 conditions where they have enrolled on, and commenced a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
Individuals wishing to study in Ireland and who are from countries that require visas to travel to this jurisdiction must apply for a student visa in the first instance. Not all international students will require a visa to travel to Ireland and for that reason the number of Stamp 2 permissions registered will be larger than the number of Student Visas issued.
The table below lists the number of Student Visas issued in those years:
|
Year* |
Student Visas Issued** |
|
2018 |
14,433 |
|
2019 |
16,804 |
|
2020 |
7,525 |
|
2021 |
11,479 |
|
2022 |
17,120 |
|
2023 |
17,988 |
|
2024 |
21,281 |
|
2025 |
18,021 |
*Figures in relation to 2016 and 2017 are not readily available from current systems.
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing and that on registration with the immigration authorities, a student visa could either be given a Stamp 2 or a Stamp 2A depending on the type of education course undertaken.