Step by Step: How to Make an Appointment with Immigration officer in Dublin

Last year Ireland announced an important change in the visa process for foreign residents living in the country. Since September 2016, the huge queues that were forming at dawn around the entrance to the Immigration office have been eliminated and have given way to online scheduling.

By Joao Marcos

At first the new system was a little hard to use and understand, but it is improving with time. For example, when I last renewed my visa, I booked my appointment slot online, arrived to the Immigration office 15 minutes ahead of my scheduled time slot and had my appointment 20 minutes later. Trust me, this is much better than having to arrive at 5 in the morning to queue for a ticket and eventually have an appointment only in the afternoon (that’s if you were lucky!)

The big issue with this new system is that appointments have to be scheduled weeks and sometimes months in advance. So for example students whose visas are soon to expire are in danger of not being able to renew the visa on time. Also those who have only just arrived in Ireland have to wait weeks to get their student visa approved. But gradually the system is improving, and we at SEDA have not had a single student so far who had a problem with the new system.

So let me guide you step-by-step through the new way of scheduling your visa appointments.

STEP 1

Log into https://burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie/ and you will see the below page:

Before booking the time slot, have your passport, email address and your GNIB (if you are renewing your visa) at hand.

From the three options above, click MAKE APPOINTMENT:

STEP 2

You will then see a form to submit your personal details. In the first field provide your visa category. For SEDA students it will be STUDY:

Then specify the course you will attend:

Next you’ll see the option: “I have a GNIB card or I have been registered before”. Choose “NO” if this is your first request and YES if it is a visa renewal.

Read and accept the Terms and Condition and go to the next step:

STEP 3

Just fill in the fields with your details and confirm by clicking the green button.

After that, just choose the date of your appointment.

After this step you will receive the confirmation of your reservation by email. You will need to print it and take it along with all the documentation required for getting your GNIB.

Here’s a complete list:

• Passport;
• Letter of Registration from the school;
• Learner Protection;
• Proof of School Payment – your enrollment letter serves as one;
• Government Health Insurance;
• Proof of having €3000 for students who will remain in the country for 6 months or more.

Important Note: Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment!