There are many things to prepare for and organize before your departure from your home country to your study abroad location. Essential information will be communicated to you via email after you are accepted to FIE.
In addition to any home-school preparation students might have, pre-departure orientation sessions led by FIE staff take place online and sometimes on partner campuses to get you ready for your study abroad experience.
PREPARING FOR DUBLIN EMAILS
In the months prior to your arrival, you'll receive important information about your study abroad program through our 'Preparing for Dublin' email series. These communications will include important information on your programme such as immigration information, semester dates, accommodation details, what to pack, guidelines on health, safety and medication and much more.
Please ensure you add @fie.org.uk to your Safe Senders list, as all emails will come from this domain. If you haven't received information that you think you should have, please check your spam/junk folder. Please also ensure that the email address that you provided on your application is correct.
IMMIGRATION INFORMATION
Fall and Spring semester students
US passport holders
US passport holders do not require a visa to study and/or intern in Ireland.
Full information on immigration requirements will be emailed to you after your acceptance to the FIE Dublin program.
Before Arrival in Ireland
Prepare for border control
You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.
To do so you will need your passport (valid for 6 months post-program end-date), acceptance letter from Dublin Academic Institution (DBS, UCD, TCD) and further documents.
You must also prove that you can support yourself financially after you enter the country.
After Arrival in Ireland
Apply for permission to stay & register with immigration
After you enter the country, you must apply for permission to stay in Ireland and register with immigration before the date stamped on your passport at border control.
FIE Staff have made these appointments on your behalf. You will receive advice on what you need to attend the appointment.
Leaving & Returning to Ireland
If you plan to leave and come back to Ireland during your stay, you must prove to an immigration officer that you have a valid reason to enter Ireland every time you return.
Make sure you have any necessary documents with you for each return journey before you travel.
EU/EEA/Swiss passport holders
Before Arrival in Ireland
Prepare for border control: when you arrive in Ireland you will be asked for your passport or nationality identity card by an immigration officer at border control.
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into the country.
After Arrival in Ireland
Staying in Ireland for more than 90 days
You can stay in Ireland for any reason up to 90 days. You can continue to stay in Ireland after 90 days if you can support yourself (& your family, if appropriate) financially.
Other nationalities
If a Visa is not needed
Please see information provided for US Passport Holders
If a Visa is needed
Please follow full information on the INIS website from the link above.
The following information is a general overview of the process.
Before Arrival in Ireland
Apply for a Student Visa
After you have paid for your course, you can apply for a long stay Study Visa.
You will not be allowed to come to Ireland without a visa.
Prepare for Border Control
You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.
To do so you will need your passport (valid for 6 months post program end-date), visa, proof you have enrolled on a course (e.g. printed confirmation) and other documents.
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland.
After Arrival in Ireland
Apply for permission to stay and register with immigration
After you enter the country, you must apply for permission to stay in Ireland and register with immigration before the date stamped on your passport at border control.
FIE Staff have made these appointments on your behalf. You will receive advice on what you need to attend the appointment.
Travel to Northern Ireland and United Kingdom
You cannot travel to Northern Ireland using an Irish visa. You need a visa issued by the United Kingdom.
If you travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and then wish to return to the Republic, you must have a Re-Entry Visa.
You must hold a valid Certificate of Registration (also called an 'Irish Residence Permit') to apply for a Re-entry Visa.
Leaving & Returning to Ireland
If you plan to leave and come back to Ireland during your stay, you must apply for a Re-Entry Visa. This can be done on arrival in Dublin.
You must hold a valid Certificate of Registration (also called an 'Irish Residence Permit') to apply for a Re-entry Visa.
SUMMER STUDENTS
US Passport holders
US passport holders do not require a visa to study and/or intern in Ireland.
Full information on immigration requirements will be emailed to you after your acceptance to the FIE Dublin program.
Before Arrival in Ireland
Prepare for border control
You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.
To do so you will need your passport (valid for 6 months post program end-date), program acceptance letter, and further documents.
You must also prove that you can support yourself financially after you enter the country.
After Arrival in Ireland
Leaving & returning to Ireland
If you plan to leave and come back to Ireland during your stay, you must prove to an immigration officer that you have a valid reason to enter Ireland every time you return.
Make sure you have any necessary documents with you for each return journey before you travel.
EU/EEA/Swiss Passport Holders
Before Arrival in Ireland
Prepare for border control: when you arrive in Ireland you will be asked for your passport or national identity card by an immigration officer
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into the country.
After Arrival in Ireland
Staying in Ireland for more than 90 days
You can stay in Ireland for any reason up to 90 days. You can continue to stay in Ireland after 90 days if you can support yourself (& your family, if appropriate) financially.
Other nationalities
If a Visa is not needed
Please see information provided for US Passport Holders
If a Visa is needed
Please follow full information on the INIS website from the link above.
The following information is a general overview of the process.
Before Arrival in Ireland
Apply for a Tourist Visa
After you have paid for your program, you can apply for a Visit (Tourist) Visa.
You will not be allowed to come to Ireland without a visa.
If you plan to travel during your program, you should apply for a Multi-Entry Visa.
Prepare for Border Control
You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.
To do so you will need your passport (valid for 6 months post-program end-date), visa, proof you have enrolled on a course (e.g. printed confirmation) and other documents.
If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland.
After you Arrive
Travel to Northern Ireland and United Kingdom
You cannot travel to Northern Ireland using an Irish visa. You need a visa issued by the United Kingdom.
If you travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and then wish to return to the Republic, you must enter Ireland with a Multi-Entry Visa.
STAYING SAFE AND CONNECTED IN DUBLIN AND ABROAD
At FIE, your safety and security is our primary concern. In addition to the regularly scheduled safety and security information, you will receive as part of your countdown emails and orientation, we wanted to pass on some tips and guidance now that will help you as you get ready for life abroad:
- Have a working accessible mobile (cell) phone and provide your mobile phone number to FIE and provide the number via www.studyabroad.fie.org.uk- this should be done immediately upon arrival via request from FIE Dublin staff.
- US citizens should enroll in the US State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - this will enable you to receive security messages as well as make it easier to locate you with information and support should an emergency arise in any city you're traveling in
- Non-US citizens should register with their country's embassy and respective program
- Research your country’s nearest embassy or consulate in any location you plan to travel to outside of Ireland and make note of their contact information - U.S. citizens/permanent residents can check this information on the US Department of State's website
- Add
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. andThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to your Safe Senders list and check your junk mail folder to prevent missing important safety email correspondence from FIE
As always, it is best to be proactive about things like these – if you have questions about your health and safety while preparing for your time in Dublin, please contact the
PRE-APPLICATION IDENTITY AND DIVERSITY QUERIES
Study abroad students of all backgrounds face unique challenges in adjusting to their host country and cultural nuances. FIE encourages students to reflect that as a study abroad student, you bring more than just physical belongings with you to the host country, but also your personal culture, background, experience, values, interests, and identity.
FIE seeks to support students with their adjustment process as much as possible. As you are preparing to apply for your FIE study abroad program, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, concerns, and support needs around aspects related to your identities, such as diversity, background, LGBTQ+, religion and faith, first-generation, disabilities, veteran or any other aspects related to your own self.
If you are interested in setting up a time to talk with an FIE staff member about these concerns, please email our Diversity & Inclusivity Leads at
