Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person, who is here on a tourist visa, must return to their country of origin if they decide to make an application to remain in Ireland on a student visa. [13978/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Inquiries made by the immigration division of my Department indicates that the query raised by the Deputy refers to a non-visa required national. It is open to non-visa required nationals to attend at their local immigration office to seek permission to remain on student conditions without first having to leave the State. They should be in a position to provide the following documentation: evidence of registration on a full-time course leading to a qualification recognised by the Department of Education and Science; evidence of fees paid; evidence of finances to indicate they are in a position to financially support themselves while in the State without recourse to public funds; and evidence of full private medical insurance.