July 4th, 2023

The following notice has been published on the Immigration website as a reminder to English language students wishing to register or renew an immigration permission.

The notice also highlights that non-EEA nationals must only be enrolled on programmes of at least 25 weeks duration.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/notice-to-students-attending-english-language-courses/

If you enrol and have paid for an English language programme listed on the ILEP you can register for a Stamp 2 immigration permission of up to eight months. 

You may extend your permission for another eight months if you enrol on another 25-week English language programme. Immigration officials will seek evidence of exam results and attendance. You will need to progress in your studies, by enrolling on a programme with an exam at an increased level.

In order to extend your student immigration permission you must:

• enrol on a higher level programme lasting at least 25 weeks
• provide evidence that you attended classes for at least 15 hours a week on your previous course
• provide evidence that you attended at least 85% of your previous course classes 
• complete an end-of-programme exam and provide exam results

If you meet the above requirements, you may study English language courses for a maximum of three permissions of eight months each, to a total of two years. After that time you must enrol on a higher QQI NFQ education programme listed on the ILEP if you wish to remain in the State as a student.

Further information can be found on the Planning to study in Ireland page of the website www.irishimmigration.ie.

Please note: Some flexibility may have been afforded at a previous renewal of your immigration permission due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, the above requirements to extend a permission have not changed and they will be applied in all circumstances.