Student Information and Services: On Arrival Information - Immigration Procedures
Immigration Procedures
What is Immigration?
Immigration is permission to reside in a country. It is necessary for anybody, who does not hold Irish citizenship, wishing to live in Ireland for more than 90 days, to obtain an Immigration Card.
Passport and Immigration Control
At the port of entry all non-EU students will have their passports computer swiped and date stamped by the Immigration Officer, endorsing a requirement for you to register with the Immigration Office.
Immigration Registration
EU students may or may not have to register depending on individual circumstances. With the exception of EU students, all international students are generally required to register with Immigration within one month of arrival in Ireland. Immigration registration for UCC students takes place at the Gárda Síochána (police) Cork Headquarters building in Anglesea Street.
Opening Hours:
9.30am - 12.00 noon and 2.00pm - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
*** The Immigration Office may choose to provide additional services to students at the start of term.
Location of Anglesea Street Garda Station: Click here for map
If everything is in order you will be issued with an Immigration Card or Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) card (also known as residency card). This is not a right or entitlement rather it is at the discretion of the Irish State.
You will need:
- Completed immigration form - available during the Orientation Programme and from the International Education Office.
- Passport
- Valid UCC Student Identity card.
- Proof of private medical insurance (policy document including full cover for hospital with relevant dates).
- Immigration Card Fee - €150
- Evidence of permanent residence.
- Financial Evidence – Sponsorship letter or Irish Bank Statement. New financial evidence legislation came into effect on the 1st April 2011. Details are listed in the table that follows. The International Education Office has been advised that sponsorship letters are still acceptable. However, the majority of students will be required to present financial evidence in the form of Irish Bank Statements.
- Sponsorship letters must be from a recognised third party, usually an Embassy, government educational organisation or home university, etc. Sponsorship letters from parents are not acceptable.
- Irish Bank Statements must have your name and address with sufficient funds. Minimum balance details are outlined in the table below. Also, you should bring a mini bank statement, printed from ATM, dated the day you present to Immigration.
The details below fully outlines the new proof of funding requirements for all non-EEA Students from 1 April 2011.
Funding Requirements for Non-EEA Students at First Registration from 1 April 2011
- Non-EEA Students studying for a period of less than 6 months: €500 per month of stay or €3,000 whichever is the lesser
- Non-EEA Students studying for a period equal to or greater than 6 months up to 1 year: €3,000
- Non-EEA Students studying in Ireland where the second registration takes place at a time exceeding 1 year: Such students are generally not required to produce bank accounts at second or subsequent registrations unless they are requested to do so by a Supervisor
NOTE: In general Non-EEA Students studying in Ireland for a period of less than 90 days are not required to register with the Immigration Authorities. However if directed to register such students will be required to demonstrate evidence of finance on the same basis as Non-EEA students studying for a period of less than 6 months.
Immigration and Citizenship Policy 1 April, 2011
Payment Methods
Payment of €150, will be by bank giro, issued at the Garda (police) Station only, or by credit card. (Visa, Mastercard or Laser).
Bank Giro Payment
If you pay by bank giro you will have to make two visits to the Immigration Office.
1. On your first visit you will submit all your documents and collect your bank giro form. You will be advised of the duration of processing times, approximately one week.
2. Take the bank giro form to your bank, make payment and retain your receipt.
3. Return to the Immigration Office, with the bank giro receipt, when the appropriate processing time has elapsed.
4. Provided that your documentation is in order you should be able to collect your Immigration Card.
Credit Card Payment
Those making credit card payments will have their Immigration Cards processed immediately, if all the documentation is in order.
Cash/Bank Drafts/ Postal Orders are not acceptable.
Registration with Immigration Services must be renewed annually – failure to comply will incur severe penalties including possible deportation. Each student is responsible for maintaining their own valid immigration registration.
Second and Subsequent Registration
- Renewal of registration may be granted if the following conditions are satisfied, and no other adverse circumstances exist:
- A student has been engaging in full time daytime education
- That a student can show verifiable academic progress (progress to the next year of the course)
- You must have proof that fees have been paid to the college;
- Proof that the student maintained private medical insurance, for the previous registration period. (extracted from guidelines for degree programme students INIS website).
To renew your Immigration Card UCC students require:
- Completed immigration form - available from the International Education Office.
- Passport
- Valid UCC Student Identity card.
- Confirmation of Registration Letter which states that you are a registered student at UCC and that your tuition fees are fully paid. This letter is available from Student Exams and Records Office, West Wing, UCC.
- Proof of private medical insurance (policy document including full cover for hospital and proof of cover for previous year, with the relevant dates of cover).
- Immigration Card Fee - €150
- Evidence of permanent residence.
- Students coming from a second level educational institutional will be required to produce a satisfactory attendance record.
Please remember that you are a guest in Ireland and the issuing of your Immigration/Residency/Green Card is at the discretion of the Irish government.
The most up to date and full Immigration Information is available from the Irish government’s official Department of Justice, Equality and Law reform website page at: Click here
