Ireland researcher visa (Hosting Agreement)

You need a hosting agreement signed with a research organisation accredited by the Irish authorities for this scheme, normally a university or research institute. The agreement replaces the employment permit, so the organisation, not DETE, sponsors your stay. Apply for the visa up to 3 months before travel; if you will pass through another country, get its visa first.

ISD asks for the signed summary sheets, two photos, a signed application letter with your stay details and undertakings, a copy of the hosting agreement, the employment contract if the organisation issues one, and 6 months of bank statements. If the host, your university or a government body funds you, give full details and evidence of the funding.

Documents must be originals in hard copy; files on USB sticks or sharing platforms are not accepted. Civil documents issued outside the EEA must carry an apostille and be translated into English or Irish.

A D visa lets you travel; on arrival the officer gives a landing stamp, normally up to 90 days. Before it runs out you must register your permission with Immigration Service Delivery at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, booking the appointment on the ISD portal. Fingerprints and a photo are taken, the €300 fee is paid by card and the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card arrives by post within about 10 working days.

Because appointment demand is very high, ISD has said that booking an appointment within the 90 days is enough to remain lawfully until that date. Renewals are made online up to 12 weeks before the IRP expires; students can only renew once their next course has started.

ISD’s 2024 rule lets researchers on Stamp 1 apply for a Stamp 4 upgrade after 21 months of employment under a hosting agreement. Stamp 4 removes the need for any work authorisation. Five years of hosting agreements, or a mix with employment permits, can support a Long Term Residency application.

Each visa-required family member makes a separate join family visa application. Because researchers on hosting agreements are Category B sponsors, no waiting period or fixed income threshold applies to the spouse, partner or minor children. Since 2024 spouses and partners register on Stamp 1G, and dependent children of hosted researchers move to Stamp 1G at 16, allowing them to work.

Long stay refusals can still be appealed. The appeal is free, must arrive within 2 months of the date on the refusal letter, is sent by post and must answer the refusal reasons with original evidence. Only one appeal per application is allowed; after that you may file a new application.