Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will fully clarify the criteria regarding access to Visa’s for non-EU students to attend English language schools in Ireland; and to outline the criteria which determines how a particular school qualifies for access to this visa programme. [32872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraVisa applications are a screening process, designed to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system.
I can advise the Deputy that a visa required national that wishes to attend a short course of English language study in Ireland of 90 days or less, will need to apply for a short stay ‘C’ visit (Study) visa. Details on how to apply and the supporting documents required to support an application are available at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-a-short-c-visit-study-visa/
A visa required national that wishes to come to Ireland to study for more than 90 days will need to apply for a long stay ‘D’ visit (Study) visa. Details on how to apply and the supporting documents required to support an application are available at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-long-term-study-visa/
Such an applicant must choose a course from the current Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or, from the list of Providers who have been awarded the new TrustEd statutory quality mark. The following types of course are listed:
• English Language programmes lasting at least 25 weeks
• Higher Education programmes from level 6 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications
• Professional Awards
• Foundation programmes.
The ILEP will be superseded by the TrustEd mark awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The ILEP is closed to new applicant providers. Providers without programmes currently listed in the ILEP must have gained TrustEd Ireland authorisation before recruiting non-EEA students.
Information in relation to the TrustEd Ireland Scheme and Immigration Requirements can be found at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Policy-Statement-TrustEd-Ireland-and-Immigration-Requirements.pdf].
The new TrustEd Ireland mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment through to the completion of their programme of education.
QQI is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system. Providers with authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark must adhere to the following policy documentation, which builds on existing quality assurance structures for higher education and establishes quality assurance principles and criteria for English language education:
• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of English Language Education to International Learners (www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2024-01/code-of-practice-for-provision-of-programmes-of-english-language-education-to-international-learners.pdf),
• Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for English Language Education (www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2024-01/statutory-quality-assurance-guidelines-for-english-language-education-providers.pdf),
• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners (www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2024-01/code-of-practice-for-provision-of-programmes-of-higher-education-to-international-learners.pdf),
• Policy on Authorisation to Use the International Education Mark (www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2024-01/policy-on-authorisation-to-use-the-international-education-mark_0.pdf).
In addition, all providers seeking authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark are obliged to co-operate with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in my Department in monitoring student compliance with immigration law. Providers must ensure that all students, including prospective students, are fully aware of their immigration obligations.
My Department must be fully satisfied in relation to the continued capacity of providers to fulfil immigration requirements concerning the provision of higher and English language education to non-EU/EEA/Swiss students.
QQI are empowered under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, as amended, to remove a provider’s authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark in cases where there is persistent or serious failure on the part of the provider to co-operate with ISD in monitoring student compliance with immigration law.
