Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality for a list of all student entry visas, including a brief description of their purpose, and a list of the legislation and regulations which give effect to each visa. [14050/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that information for students on the INIS website provides guidance on the type of courses which students may pursue in Ireland. The website also provides information on the requirements for a visa and for permission to reside in Ireland during the course of their study.

In general, students may come to Ireland to undertake degree programmes, both undergraduate and post graduate courses, and English language courses. Language courses may be long-term or short-term. Some students may wish to attend single semester courses as part of their degree programme with a recognised overseas university.

It should be noted that nationals from many countries including, for example, Brazil and the USA do not require a visa to come and study in Ireland. For nationals requiring a visa, in line with other jurisdictions, my Department operates a visa system which examines the bona fides of each study visa application.

Relevant guideline notes are published on the Student section of the INIS website - .

The overall immigration regime for students is ultimately a matter of Government policy which reflects the policy choices made and involves the exercise of executive power. Persons coming to Ireland are subject to the Immigration Acts.

The Irish visa regime (i.e. as applied to visa required persons) operates in exercise of permissive powers conferred on me under Section 17 of the Immigration Act 2004. The Regulations relating to visas are the Immigration Act, 2004 (Visas) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 473 of 2014) as amended by the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 175 of 2015) and the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 513 of 2015). The European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 548 of 2015) also applies.