International

Visas

Citizens of certain countries need a visa in order to enter the country. An Irish visa is a certificate placed on your passport or travel document to indicate that you are authorised to land in the State subject to any other conditions of landing being fulfilled. This means that you will still be subject to immigration control at the point of entry to the State even if you have a visa. Information on visa’s is available on the (opens in a new window)Citizen’s Information website.

Right to work

If you are from an EU member state or one of the countries of the EEA or Switzerland, you are entitled to come to work in Ireland. You do not need an employment permit. You are entitled to have your dependants come to live with you. If your non-EEA spouse or civil partner is coming to live in Ireland with you, they must apply for permission to remain under EU Treaty Rights in order to have similar rights to live and work in Ireland.

If you are from another country then generally you need an employment permit.

You do not need an employment permit in order to work legally in Ireland if you are in one of the following categories:

• Citizens of the (opens in a new window)EEA member states and Switzerland, and their spouses, civil partners and dependants (regardless of their nationality)
• People who have been granted (opens in a new window)refugee status in Ireland
• People who have been refused refugee status but have been given (opens in a new window)permission to remain on (opens in a new window)humanitarian grounds
• People who have been given permission to remain because they are the spouse, civil partner or parent of an Irish citizen
• Postgraduate students where the work is an integral part of the course of study being undertaken
• Non-EEA nationals (opens in a new window)carrying out scientific research for an approved research organisation
• The (opens in a new window)Van der Elst process generally allows a non-EEA national, legally employed by a company in an EU country, to provide services on a temporary basis to a company in another EU country on behalf of his/her employer without the need to obtain an employment permit.

The (opens in a new window)Atypical Working Scheme allows eligible non-EEA nationals to do certain short-term contract work in Ireland

Employment permits

Since 1 October 2014, there are (opens in a new window)9 types of employment permit. They include the (opens in a new window)Critical Skills Employment Permit for highly skilled workers and the (opens in a new window)General Employment Permit which have replaced the work permit and Green Card permit respectively.

The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation provide information on applying for a work permit at the following (opens in a new window)link. 

UCD HR will support the application process for a work permit.

One of the first challenges a new employee will encounter is how to find accommodation in Dublin. Finding accommodation in Dublin or any new city can be a time-consuming process however this can be helped with some planning before arriving in Ireland.

Most employees rent apartments in central parts of the city centre or around the campus in Dublin 4, there are many advantages to living in Dublin – it’s small and easy to navigate and has good transport links to the campus.

The most popular areas to live in are Donnybrook and Dublin 4 (nearest to the campus) and Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 as they are in the centre of town. Areas just outside these two zones such as Smithfield, Rathmines and Christchurch (Dublin 4, 6, 7 and 8) are also very popular, are within walking distance of the city centre and have some fantastic restaurants, parks, bars and shops nearby.

Where to start?

The most popular website is (opens in a new window)www.daft.ie. This site allows you to check for property in a particular ‘zone’ of Dublin, such as Dublin 6. Other websites include (opens in a new window)www.myhome.ieand (opens in a new window)www.property.ie. These websites will also give you an indication of the approximate cost.

For more information on the logistics of Moving to Ireland for work, this page from Work At UCD may be very helpful to you. 

MENU (Multicultural Employee Network of UCD)

The Multicultural Employee Network of UCD was established by the EDI Multicultural subgroup in Winter 2018 following feedback from international employee focus groups.

The aim the Multicultural Employee Network of UCD is to make International employees feel welcome, to help integrate them into the UCD Community and beyond, to provide a space for international employees to network, support members and exchange ideas with a focus on promoting cultural diversity and awareness in UCD.

There are over 300 members representing 50+ countries around the globe, making MENU the biggest employee Network in UCD. MENU Committee, represented by employees from various countries(Argentina, Brasil, Estonia, India, Ireland, Italy and Poland)are proud recipients of a UCD “Values in Action” Award 2020, in view of their commitment to the UCD values of diversity, collegiality, engagement and creativity.

You can find out more information about MENU here. 

UCD has several student societies that provide friendly and welcoming spaces for people to connect, network, and learn more about each other:

• International Students Society - (opens in a new window)https://societies.ucd.ie/international/
• UCD Arab Society - (opens in a new window)https://societies.ucd.ie/arab/
• UCD Chinese Society - (opens in a new window)https://societies.ucd.ie/chinese
• UCD Africa Society - (opens in a new window)https://societies.ucd.ie/africa/

We also encourage all of our students to join Netsoc ((opens in a new window)https://netsoc.com/), UCD's Internet & Computer Science Society. Lots of our students join Netsoc each year, and we have previously  collaborated with them on a weekly “Code and Chill” evening where Undergraduate and Masters students are able to socialise, study together, eat pizza and get to know each other in a relaxed environment.

There are a huge number of Student Societies available to you to try out during your time here in UCD. You can find the full list, with more information available about each of them, here, on the (opens in a new window)UCD Societies website.

The UCD Global Lounge is a multi-functional space which enables students, staff and the wider UCD community to build connections with each other and the world around them. The space is an expression of UCD’s commitment to global engagement, and the activities which take place in the Lounge serve to enhance the global culture of UCD. 

The Lounge is managed by the Global Community Team in UCD Global which includes staff and students who are highly skilled in the areas of student support and event management.

Global Guide Welcome Desk

Our team of Global Guides are ready to support fellow students by providing information, managing and organising events and offering peer to peer support both in person and virtually via our social media channels.

Global Guides are present at the Welcome Desk in the Global Lounge from 09:00 - 21:00, Monday - Friday during term time.

You can find out more information here. 

If you are coming to study in UCD and are a non-EEA/UK national, you will need to follow the student immigration path to be compliant with the local immigration legislation and policy guidelines.

Among other requirements, you may need to apply for an entry visa. If you are staying for more than 90 days, you must register in person with your local immigration officer after your arrival in the country. 

We highly recommend you take a look at the Student Immigration Path as laid out on the UCD website here.

Student Immigration Advisor

UCD has a Student Immigration Advisor, Lara Morais, who you can meet with either in person on campus or on Zoom on an appointment basis. You can book your appointment at (opens in a new window)this link. 

Working While Studying in Ireland

You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During June, July, August and September, and between 15 December and 15 January, you can work up to 40 hours per week. In order to work, including as a Teaching Assistant/Demonstrator in the School of Computer Science, you need a valid IRP card and a PPS number. 

Renewal of your IRP card

Your registration will last for one year and needs to be renewed on an annual basis. You should apply for renewal 30 days before your IRP card expires (the date of expiry will be written on the card). 

A new online Registration Renewal system is currently in place for Dublin-based students. This means all Dublin-based students looking to renew their registration will no longer have to book an appointment and attend the registration office in person. If you live outside Dublin you should contact your local immigration office to arrange a time to register. 

Prepare to renew online by registering through the(opens in a new window)INIS Online renewal application portal.

A €300 fee applies to all renewals and this is paid online at the time of application.

Please make sure you have your correct address in SiSweb as it will be printed in your documents. Your new IRP card will be posted to the address you provide.

You can find further information about registration renewals on the(opens in a new window)Irish Immigration Service website and you can submit a query by emailing (opens in a new window)immigrationsupport@justice.ie 

Having a safe, comfortable place to live while you are studying in UCD is important.

On Campus Accomodation

We provide safe, beautiful and comfortable on-campus student accommodation at UCD. The UCD residences consist of a single bedroom with options of both private and shared bathrooms. Student apartments are equipped with kitchens, and fully catered packages are also available. Adapted facilities are available for students with a disability.

Places are limited and we regret that we are unable to guarantee all international students accommodation on-campus, as it operates on a first come first served basis. As well as making a booking application for on-campus, we would encourage all prospective students to also explore off-campus options to ensure they get accommodation.

Please visit UCD Residences to explore your options and for details on pricing, packages, and the Res Life social programme.

Off-Campus Accomodation

Living off-campus is also a great option for students in University College Dublin. You should be aware that demand for rental accomodation in Dublin is quite high so it may be best to set aside some time early to ensure that you have a place to stay in time for the start of term! Here are some resources that may help you. 

Areas close to Belfield that we recommend include:

DUBLIN 4: Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount

DUBLIN 6: Ranelagh, Rathgar, Rathmines

DUBLIN 14: Clonskeagh, Dundrum, Goatstown

DUBLIN COUNTY: Blackrock, Booterstown, Mount Merrion, Stillorgan, Dun Laoghaire

UCD Accommodation Pad 

For assistance with sourcing off campus accommodation, please visit (opens in a new window)www.ucdaccommodationpad.ie.

The UCD Accommodation Pad shows listings of houses, flats, apartments, lodgings and general self-catering accommodation. The website has an alert system which you can activate. This notifies you should your preference for accommodation become available. The website also has a message board. This allows you to contact those offering accommodation and contact other students about the possibility of sharing etc.

- Letting Agents

Letting agents are independent businesses and specialise in the rental market. Many, but not all, charge a non-refundable registration, booking and administration fee plus deposits. So, before you pay for any services or lists of accommodation, have a clear understanding what services you will be receiving from paying a fee.

- Useful Websites

(opens in a new window)http://www.daft.ie/

(opens in a new window)http://collegecribs.ie

(opens in a new window)http://property.ie

(opens in a new window)http://let.ie

(opens in a new window)http://www.rent.ie/

We strongly advise against paying any deposits for rental accomodation until you have seen the property in person and have a signed contract in place for renting. 

We recognise that studying at university can be both a brilliant and stressful time for students, and we have a great support network for students at UCD. From health services to specific programme advisers, student welfare and support is at the heart of what we do. Watch the video below to find out about the wide range of student support services you can access - or scroll further down for more specific information.

Student Advisors

The Student Advisors provide support for all students throughout their university experience. Each programme has a dedicated Student Advisor who is your gateway to support services. Additionally, there are Student Advisors attached to specific groups of students, such as mature and postgraduate research students.  If you are experiencing any difficulties the Student Advisors will give you the time and space to talk things through.

The Student Advisors for the School of Computer Science are Aine Murphy and Dani Findley.If you need to get in touch with them, or to set up an appointment to chat, you can reach them by email or phone. 

Aine Murphy: (opens in a new window)aine.murphy@ucd.ie , 01 7162381

Dani Findley: (opens in a new window)dani.foy@ucd.ie, 01 7162362

If you’re a postgraduate research student, Eamonn McHugh will be happy to help you as the PG Research Student Advisor. He can be reached by email at (opens in a new window)eamonn.mchugh@ucd.ie or on the phone at 01 716 1875.

Student Counselling Service

UCD offers a free and confidential service staffed by professionally qualified psychologists and counsellors. We understand that coming to a new country to study may come with it's own set of difficulties that might require some extra support. This service provides support for students when personal issues arise which affect their happiness, well-being, capacity to cope, relationships or learning. For more information about this service, follow this link.

Student Union

All UCD students are members of the Students' Union (UCDSU). The UCDSU International Students Co-ordinator works closely with UCD Global to promote events for international students. The UCDSU also have officers who provide welfare services and accommodation information. You can find out more information about the work of UCDSU (opens in a new window)here.

Chaplains and Prayer Rooms

The university chaplains provide pastoral care, emotional support and spiritual accompaniment as well as acting as student advisers. They are available to all students during times of distress, illness and bereavement. Mass is celebrated daily (Monday to Friday) at lunchtime as well as on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. At St. Stephen’s Chaplaincy, you’ll find many groups and events exploring faith and spirituality as well as a Contemplation Room that is open to everyone. The chaplains offices can be found in the Health Sciences Building and in the Old Student Centre. Dedicated prayer rooms for Muslim students are located in Woodview House on the Belfield campus and E123 in the Smurfit School, Blackrock. You can find out more information about these services here.