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.

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

You must check with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website to see if you need a study visa prior to arrival. 

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.

Welcome to FIE

In this email from the Administration Team ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about the FIE Kensington Campus, details on registering for the US State Department STEP service and reminders to complete questionnaires and materials through the STEP Registration.

Your Internship

In this email from the Experiential Education Team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about your FIE Internship Mentor, your Internship and Interview Schedule, what to pack for your internship, and a reminder about your Internship Seminars and the required text.

Academics and Accessibility

In this email from the Academic Team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about Courses and Syllabi, textbooks and reading packs, academic accommodations, Writing Support Tutors, mental health, and guidance if you’re bringing medications to the UK.

Residence Life

In this email from the Residence Life Team, you’ll receive information about our team of Residence Life Supervisors, the residence where you’ll be living, your mailing address, the local area, arriving in London, and details of where and when to check-in.

Student Life

In this email from the Student Life Team ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), you’ll receive information about activities, counseling & mental health, medical services, travel insurance, gyms & fitness facilities, as well as some preliminary information on orientations and arriving in London.

Internship pathway - including Service Internships and Service Learning programs

Internship, Service Internship, and Service Learning programs:

• British / Irish passport holders are not subject to immigration control and do not require a visa to study in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• EEA (European) passport holders must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival (new Brexit regulations). Read our immigration guide
• USA passport holders (and other non-EEA countries) must obtain a student visa prior to their arrival. Read our immigration guide

For most students, the steps to obtain a visa are usually as follows:

Step 1: Complete a visa application online by using the supporting information provided by FIE (which you will receive once you have completed your application and received an offer)

Step 2: Pay for your application and attend a biometric appointment near you

Step 3: Mail your documents (passport, etc.) to ‘UK Visas & Immigration’ in New York City (if you are currently residing in the US)

Step 4: Within 6-8 weeks (timeframe may be subject to change) - receive your passport back with a visa vignette (sticker) inside

Please note:

• You can only start your visa application once you have received the relevant supporting documents from FIE
• You should plan to apply for your visa as soon as possible
• You must complete the visa application by using FIE’s visa guide and the bespoke supporting information prepared for you.
• This student visa system was formerly known as Tier 4 (General)
• Do not hesitate to contact FIE’s Immigration and Compliance officer should you need any assistance!

Study Only pathway

STUDY ONLY PATHWAY

Study only programs

• British / Irish passport holders are not subject to immigration control and do not require a visa to study in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• Citizens from an EEA (European) country or from countries such as the USA or Canada (‘Non-visa national countries’) on the study-only pathway do not need to apply for a visa before they travel to the UK. Instead, they can obtain immigration permission to enter as a student at the border when they arrive in the UK. Read our immigration guide
• Citizens from other countries (‘visa nationals’ such as Chinese and Indian passport holders) will need to apply online for a specific student visa before they travel to the UK. Read our immigration guide

Visa nationals and non-visa nationals: check this webpage for more information- Appendix 2 / Visa nationals list): if your country is not listed, you are a non-visa national

Working or volunteering in the UK

• Any student can do some occasional volunteering, but cannot do regular voluntary work.
• Student-visa holders cannot undertake any kind of work (paid or unpaid) in the UK, apart from their FIE program internship placement  

If you have questions about your visa and whether you can volunteer, please contact FIE’s Immigration and Compliance Officer

Cell Phones

You must have a working and accessible cell phone and provide your phone number to FIE. You can submit your cell phone number via the ‘Contact Number While Abroad’ questionnaire on the application portal. If your phone number changes upon arrival or during your time in London, you must update your number via this portal – you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any issues using the site.

On the Student Life FAQ page, you’ll find guidance on buying a UK cell phone, SIM card, or phone plan along with a local area map which shows our nearest phone stores.

Emergency Numbers

FIE offers 24 hour support, 7 days a week. If you need urgent support while studying abroad with us, you can contact our emergency number on: +44 (0) 207 808 0131. An alternate line is also available as a back-up: +44 (0) 207 589 0728. We advise you to save both of these numbers to your phone in advance of your arrival in London.

Please be aware that the number for the UK emergency services is 999.

Embassies and Consulates

If you are a U.S citizen or U.S national, register with the U.S. State Department's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will enable you to receive security messages, as well as make it easier for your nearest U.S Embassy or Consulate to locate you with information and support should an emergency arise. Please note that the US Embassy London is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US.

If you are a non U.S citizen or national, check with your embassy, consulate or high commission in the UK to see if there is a similar registration program – a full list, along with addresses and contact details, can be found here on the UK government website.

Insurance

You will be covered by FIE’s Endsleigh Travel Insurance group policy, unless this coverage has been waived by your home institution. Please visit our insurance page and read through all the information and policy documents carefully before your depart.

Whether you are covered by FIE’s group policy with Endsleigh or with another insurer, we advise you to save both the policy documents and the insurer’s emergency numbers to your phone, so that you can easily access these in case of an emergency.