Visas Information

Everyone travelling to Ireland, the UK, and Malta must go through immigration control upon arrival. As long as you have obtained the necessary documentation prior to departure, you should encounter no issues at entry. Here you can find all visa information for Ireland, Malta, and the UK in one place with Atlas Language School.

Check your visa status before travelling to Ireland.

Students from certain countries must obtain an entry visa before arriving. Visit the Irish Immigration Service website to verify whether your country is exempt or requires a visa.

Do not need a visa before entering Ireland

Even if you do not need a visa prior to entry, you will still go through immigration control. Be prepared to present your school enrolment details, and you may be asked to provide proof of accommodation.

For further details on what to do after arrival, refer to the section below Register to Immigration.

Need a visa before entering Ireland

If you are from a country that requires a visa, you must apply before travelling to Ireland. You can submit your application up to three months before your intended travel date. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible after enrolling in a course.

Courses with less than 90 days.

Short stay ‘C’ visa:

Courses with more than 90 days.

Long stay ‘D’ visa:

You must complete your visa application online using AVATS, the system available at www.visas.inis.gov.ie. Be sure to carefully review the application instructions and fully understand the required documents before submitting your application.

Checking your visa status

You can track your visa application on the Irish Immigration Service website, which provides current processing times and visa decisions, updated weekly.

If your visa is refused, you have the option to appeal the decision within two months. However, this may impact your planned arrival. In such cases, you can modify your course dates.

Registering with Immigration after arrival

All students booking a long term course (or staying for more than 90 days), regardless of whether an entry visa is required, must register with the immigration authorities in Dublin within 90 days after your arrival. After registering, you will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, which grants you permission to stay in Ireland for the period specified on the card.

Click here for further information and requirements (Stamp 2, As an English or Irish language student).

*If you apply for a visa before entering Ireland Proof of financial support would not be required.

If you are an Academic Year student, you will have a meeting on your first week of class to guide you through the process.

Visa Renewals: You may have the option to renew your registration for up to two additional Academic Year English courses. Your Immigration Residence Permit (IRP) card displays the expiry date of your current permission. If you wish to remain in Ireland beyond this date, and are eligible, you must apply for a new permission and renew your registration before the expiry. Find the required documents. You can always get in touch with our admissions team for further details on how to extend.

Disclaimer: The information on this document may change, so it is recommended that students contact the Embassies for the latest updates. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed and comply with the most current regulations. While Atlas Language School strives to assist students with general visa guidance, we are not responsible for any updates or changes to the provided information.

Visa information - Malta

Check your visa status before travelling to Malta.

Students from some countries might ask to obtain an entry visa before arriving in Malta. Visit Identita website to verify whether your country is exempt or requires a visa. If your country is on the list you must apply for a visa even for one week of studies.

1. Short-term student (less than 90 days) – no changes to the procedure:

Countries requiring a pre-arrival study visa: Students can enrol and pay for courses lasting less than 90 days. They must follow their country’s standard visa application procedures before travelling to Malta.
Countries with 90-day visa exemption: Students can enrol and pay for courses of up to 90 days and enter Malta as a student with only a booking confirmation and a letter from the school.

Note: The normal student visa extension process applies if the student decides to extend their studies in Malta. Consult Atlas team for further details.

2. Countries requiring pre-arrival study visa and Countries with 90-day visa exemption.

All non-EU students planning to study and stay in Malta for more than 90 days must apply for a Standard/Extended Service (D) visa in their home country before travelling to Malta.

For extended stays, a long-term study visa is required. Students must apply for this visa prior to arrival, which can be done by the school, the student, or an agent through the VFS Global website. The visa process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the date of application submission. The cost ranges from €110 to €160 (appointment fee), in addition to VFS administration fees, which must be paid upon submitting the necessary documents.

Note: Rescheduling or cancellation of appointments is not allowed. The visa fee, once paid, is not refundable.

You can book an appointment by visiting the Central Visa Unit.

Click here for the List of Required Documents Student National Visa

Travel: When entering Malta on a long-term student visa, the 90-day visa exemption remains intact, allowing students to use those days as holiday time after their student visa expires.

Visa Extension: Students legally residing in Malta with a valid visa can apply to the Central Visa Unit for an extension of their residency authorization. The course must be extended by at least 8 weeks beyond the visa’s expiry date for the application to be considered.

Visa information - UK

1. Studying for up to 6 months

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) – Eligible Countries

If your country is on the ETA list (including all EU countries), you can apply for an ETA before your trip. You will need a valid passport. More information here.

An ETA allows you to travel to the UK for:

Tourism
Visiting family
Certain other purposes

Cost: £16

Duration: Up to 6 months
Note: You cannot work in the UK on an ETA.

Main regions eligible for ETA:

ALL EU COUNTRIES
LATAM: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru
ASIA: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan, Macao Special Administrative Region, Singapore, South Korea
MIDDLE EAST: Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
AFRICA: Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles

You can also apply for an ETA if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan.

If You Are Not Eligible for ETA

If you are not from an eligible country, you will need a Standard Visitor Visa (more information here).

Purpose: Short-term study for courses of six months or less (short courses, study abroad programs, or certain research activities).

Requirements:

Acceptance into a short course at an accredited UK institution
No CAS number required
Proof of financial support
Evidence of intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit

Restrictions:

No paid or unpaid work
Cannot extend your stay or switch to a different visa type
Cannot bring dependants

Cost: £127

2. Studying for More Than 6 Months

Short-term Student Visa (All Nationalities)

You may be eligible if you are taking an English language course lasting more than 6 months but not more than 11 months. More information here.

Conditions:

Cannot work
Cannot bring dependants
Stay permitted for the length of the course plus 30 extra days (maximum 11 months)

Cost:

Visa fee: £214
Healthcare surcharge: ~£776 (to use the NHS)

Eligibility Requirements:

Age 16 or older
Accepted onto an English language course lasting 6–11 months (English only)
Accredited institution
Sufficient funds to support yourself or with support from public funds or relatives/friends
Ability to pay for return or onward travel

3. University Student Visa Longer Than 11 Months – not eligible with Atlas

Purpose: For courses longer than 11 months, including university degrees.

Note: WE CANNOT SUPPORT APPLICATIONS FOR THIS VISA as we cannot provide a CAS.

Useful Resource

Check which visa you need based on what you want to do in the UK: UK Visa Checker