Are you an international student planning your move to Ireland? Navigating the student visa process doesn't end when you clear customs. Non-EU/EEA nationals must complete their first-time immigration registration within 90 days of arriving in the country. Failing to secure your physical residency card can jeopardize your legal status and your right to work part-time while studying. This step-by-step guide walks you through navigating the new ISD Digital Contact Centre, gathering your mandatory financial and medical documents, and what to expect during your mandatory biometric appointment in Dublin.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Ireland’s immigration policies change frequently. For the most up-to-date and official 2026 requirements, always verify details directly with the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website before booking your appointment.
The 90-Day Immigration Deadline for International Students
You must register your permission within 90 days of arriving in Ireland.
New 2026 Rules: Where Do I Register for My IRP?
As of January 13, 2025, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) no longer handles registration. First-time registration for all residents in the Republic of Ireland is now handled by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
How to Book Your IRP Appointment Online
You must book an appointment before you visit. There is no fee to book. All first-time registration appointments take place exclusively at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin (13-14 Burgh Quay), regardless of which county you live in.
- How to book: Create an account and book your appointment through the official Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online portal (the Digital Contact Centre) as soon as you arrive in Ireland.
Document Checklist: What to Bring to Your Burgh Quay Appointment
To ensure a smooth registration process, you must bring original copies of the following documents to your appointment:
- Valid passport
- College Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- Proof of paid tuition fees
- Proof of financial support (€10,000 for courses longer than 8 months)
- Private medical insurance document
Required Registration Fee
- Cost: The IRP fee is €300.
- Payment Method: You must pay by credit or debit card at the office. Cash is not accepted.
What to Expect at the Burgh Quay Registration Office
The visit usually takes about 30 minutes. Here is what to expect:
- Check-in: Check in at the Registration office and wait to be called..
- Review: The officer will review your documents.
- Biometrics: Your photograph and fingerprints will be taken.
- Payment: You will pay the fee if applicable.
Receiving Your Physical IRP Card
After your appointment, your photograph and details are used to create your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. This card proves you are living in Ireland legally.
- The card will be mailed to the address you provided.
- It can take up to 10-12 weeks to receive the card.
For more information about the Irish Residence Permit (IRP), please visit Ireland’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No, you cannot book an appointment until you have physically landed in Ireland and cleared border control.
- When you arrive, an immigration officer will stamp a temporary landing date into your passport.
- You must register for an account on the ISD Customer Service Portal (Digital Contact Centre) and book your first-time appointment as soon as you enter the State.
- Yes. As of the fully integrated national rollout, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) no longer processes immigration registrations anywhere in Ireland.
- All first-time registrations for every resident in the Republic of Ireland must take place in person at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin.
- However, if you need to renew your IRP card in future years, you will be able to do that entirely online without traveling.
- Do not panic. The Burgh Quay office experiences very high seasonal demand when semesters begin.
- As long as you have actively booked your appointment through the official portal within your first 90 days, you are legally permitted to remain in Ireland until your scheduled appointment date, even if that date falls outside the 90-day window.
- Keep a copy of your appointment confirmation email as proof of compliance.
- It is highly discouraged. Because processing timelines and postal backlogs can cause card delivery to take several weeks, traveling outside the country without a physical IRP card can cause serious re-entry issues at the border.
- Immigration authorities strongly advise international students not to book international travel until their new plastic card has safely arrived at their Irish home address.
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