Ireland has temporarily adjusted a key immigration policy affecting international students in light of COVID, in an effort both to protect students’ ability to stay in Ireland after their studies to work and to discourage students from travelling back to Ireland during COVID. For a short time, international students who are studying online and/or remotely in their second semester of an Irish higher education programme will remain eligible for the Third Level Graduate Programme (1G).
Certain conditions must be met
Students can apply for this programme if they have returned to their home countries due to the pandemic or if they have not been able to obtain an appointment because of COVID restrictions. They can submit their applications, along with scans of required documentation, electronically to the Registration Office, Burgh Quay, Dublin. They will be required to register in Ireland when they are able to return to the country.
To be eligible, students need:
- A letter from their higher education institution stating that they were a student for the academic year 2020/2021;
- A letter from their higher education institution stating that this course was taught 100% remotely, and that they were not required to attend classes in person.
- A letter from the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they were enrolled as a student.
