Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
361. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of study visa applications received, approved and refused in respect of students enrolling in English language education programmes in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026, by principal country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the extent of engagement between his Department and representative bodies in the English language education sector regarding student visa processing; the timeline for implementation of the TrustEd accreditation framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.
I understand that the Deputy has agreed to narrow the scope of his PQ, and has agreed to the top 7 countries of origin.
The figures requested by Deputy are set out in the tables below. It should be noted that my department does not collate information on the type of course being undertaken. The tables below are for all study visas including those attending fee paying secondary schools, English language coursed and third level institutions.
Table 1. Study Visas Received, Refused and Granted.
|
Visa Type |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (up to 31/05/2026) |
|
Type C Study Visas Received |
1,083 |
1,452 |
1,045 |
528 |
|
Type D Study Visas Received |
24,159 |
31,104 |
26,254 |
4,572 |
|
Type C Study Visas Refused |
154 |
157 |
220 |
142 |
|
Type D Study Visas Refused |
5,511 |
7,849 |
10,309 |
3,131 |
|
Type C Study Visas Granted |
917 |
1,266 |
761 |
223 |
|
Type D Study Visas Granted |
17,071 |
20,015 |
17,260 |
2,071 |
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* The above figures are for decisions at first instance only. An applicant that receives a negative decision may appeal and be subsequently granted at appeal. These figures are not included.
Table 2. Top Seven Nationalities for Study Visas Received. Figures for 2026 are up to 31/05.
|
|
Nationality |
Count |
Nationality |
Count |
Nationality |
Count |
Nationality |
Count |
|
|
2023 |
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
2026 |
2026 |
|
1 |
India |
10,488 |
India |
13,684 |
India |
11,135 |
India |
1,401 |
|
2 |
China |
3,999 |
China |
3,996 |
China |
3,435 |
Pakistan |
854 |
|
3 |
Turkey |
2,346 |
Pakistan |
2,745 |
Pakistan |
2,700 |
China |
552 |
|
4 |
Pakistan |
1,425 |
Turkey |
1,840 |
Mongolia |
1,170 |
Nigeria |
434 |
|
5 |
Mongolia |
1,176 |
Mongolia |
1,794 |
Nigeria |
1,111 |
Russia |
254 |
|
6 |
Nigeria |
1,054 |
Nigeria |
1,074 |
Turkey |
960 |
Turkey |
149 |
|
7 |
Russia |
556 |
Kenya |
745 |
Myanmar |
494 |
Mongolia |
148 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to publish a National Migration and Integration Strategy detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing Ireland’s society and economy over the next decade. My Department is working with other Government departments to develop this strategy with the aim to publish Ireland’s first overarching whole-of-government National Migration and Integration Strategy in 2026.
As part of this strategic approach, I am reviewing the area of student permissions, with a particular focus on 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. Ireland welcomes international students who wish to travel here in order to pursue a course of study, thereby providing economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well of course as to the students themselves.
At Government level, the administration and management of international student programmes is within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), with my Department having responsibility for visa and related residency policies.
I have met with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), James Lawless, to discuss this work and explore how our departments can continue to collaborate effectively on this work. I hope to bring forward proposals in this area in the coming months.
Responsibility for the implementation of the TrustEd Ireland scheme rests with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Accordingly, questions regarding implementation timelines should be addressed to QQI. More information on TrustEd Ireland can be found at the following link: https://www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/quality-assurance-of-education-and-training/what-is-trusted-ireland.
