Department has rejected almost two-thirds of student visa applications so far this year

Around 39% of applications were refused in 2025, 25% in 2024 and 22% in 2023

The Department of Justice said the figures pertain to 'all study visas including those attending fee-paying secondary schools, English language courses and third-level institutions'. file picture

Over 60% of applications for student visas so far this year have been rejected, new figures have revealed.

While the refusals relate to “all study visas, including those attending fee-paying secondary schools, English language courses and third-level institutions”, the Government has previously suggested there could be a crackdown on the number of visas issued to English language students.

In response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Cormac Devlin, junior migration minister Colm Brophy confirmed 64% of visas had been rejected by the end of May.

A Type C study visa allows people to come here for short courses of 90 days or less. Type D visas are longer-stay study visas for those looking to study for more than 90 days.

So far in 2026, some 528 Type C visa applications have been received. 223 were granted, while 142 (27%) were refused. Another 4,572 applications for Type D study visas were received, with 3,131 (68%) refused.

Of the 5,097 study visa applications received by the end of May, 3,273 or 64%, were refused. 

This is up drastically compared to 2025 when some 1,045 short-term and 26,254 long-term visa applications were received. In total, 220 short-term and 10,309 long-term applications were refused. 

The 10,529 refusals accounted for just 39% of all applications. Around 25% of applications were refused in 2024, up from 22% in 2023.

Mr Brophy said the Department of Justice “does not collate information on the type of course being undertaken”, and that the information pertains to “all study visas including those attending fee-paying secondary schools, English language courses and third-level institutions”.

He also confirmed the figures only applied to first-instance decisions and that applicants whose applications are refused can appeal.

Mr Brophy also provided Mr Devin with details about where applicants seeking study visas are applying from.

In 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, the highest number of applicants were from India. As of May 31, some 1,401 applications had been received from Indian nationals.

This was followed by Pakistan (854) China (552), Nigeria (434) and Russia 254 applications.

English language schools

Higher education minister James Lawless told the Irish Examiner last year that some English language schools were acting as a “tick box exercise” to allow people to get work permits, with schools acting as a “convenient backdoor for immigration”.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said last November that the Government was considering reducing the number of student visas provided for English language students.

Government sources said it would be concerning if there was a large increase in the number of student visas being refused.

They said that while there is a desire to crack down on those attending bogus English language schools, they do not want students seeking to study medicine and other such courses being prevented or deterred from studying in Ireland.

• Louise Burne is a political correspondent for the Irish Examiner