Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Student Visas

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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645. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the expiration of stamp 2 visas for persons who were enrolled as English language students in the State; and if his attention has been drawn to persons engaged in such courses who are now unable to access their classes due to the expiration of their visas. [32273/22]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The administration and regulation of immigration permissions, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students who are granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission, are a matter for the Minister for Justice and queries related to these permissions should be addressed to my colleague in the first instance.

Stamp 2 permissions allow non-EEA students to come to Ireland to study on English language education (ELE) programmes. ELE students can avail of up to three permissions, each of eight-month duration, to pursue these studies. In addition, Stamp 2 permission holders can work for a maximum of 20 hours a week during term time and for 40 hours a week during designated Summer and Christmas holiday periods. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic these permissions were extended nine times to allow people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 to be legally permitted to remain here until 31 May 2022.

On 27 May 2022 Minister McEntee announced the arrangements for the renewal and registration of immigration permissions post 31 May 2022 which include bridging arrangements for ELE students transitioning to third level education. Students who have completed their maximum of three eight-month English language courses and who intend to enrol in third level for an undergraduate or graduate course beginning in the Autumn were able to apply for a short-term letter of permission based on their proof of application/enrolment. This application window was open until 13 June 2022. This short-term permission will be valid until the start of their new course and the conditions attached to their current permissions continue to apply. Further information on these arrangements can be found here: irishimmigration.ie/statement-from-the-minister-for-justice-on-the-arrangements-for-the-renewal-and-registration-of-immigration-permissions-post-31-may-2022/

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