FAQ
Why do I need to have evidence of finance in order to get a study visa?
ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) require evidence of finance in order to prove that a student has sufficient funds to cover their stay in Ireland. The estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year is €10,000. Therefore €10,000 is the minimum amount that the student must lodge into their education bond in order to meet the ISD (Immigration Service Delivery)’ evidence of finance.
I do not currently have the sufficient education bond amount of €10,000. Do I need to have the full amount in order to avail of the education bond alternative as evidence of finance?
As advised by ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) the alternative method of an education bond with a minimum value of €10,000 is needed as evidence of finance. Therefore TransferMate will not accept any amount less than €10,000.
I intend to study English in Ireland. Can I avail of the education bond alternative as evidence of finance?
If you are a Chinese Student coming to Ireland to study English at a ILEP listed School, you can now use the education bond alternative as evidence of finances. The ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) made the education bond available to the Chinese Language students in March 2012.
It is advised on the ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) website that the bond must be lodged to an approved student fees payments services (e.g the electronic fee payment service offered by TransferMate, formerly known as International Student Payments Service (ISPS). Who are TransferMate?
TransferMate (formerly known as International Student Payments Service (ISPS)) is a service used by many education institutions with regards to their online student application and international payment process. TransferMate is an approved student fees payments service provider of the Department of Justice and Equality. For further information about TransferMate and its suite of services, please visit https://www.transfermateeducation.com
How long will it be before I get my bond money back when I arrive in Ireland?
Once ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) has approved the study visa and the student has arrived to study in Ireland, the full bond of €10,000 will be released into their Irish bank account. Every student must provide evidence that their study visa has been approved and that they have arrived into Ireland. Please see below the forms of evidence that TransferMate will accept. Once TransferMate has received the scanned documents, TransferMate will transfer the €10,000 in full to the student’s nominated Irish bank account. All payments are processed within 48 hours. It is the student’s responsibility to advise TransferMate of their nominated Irish bank account. Please see the "Contact Us" section on how to contact TransferMate.
What evidence do I need to provide in order to receive my bond once I have arrived into Ireland?
TransferMate will accept the following as evidence of visa approval and arrival into Ireland.
Please scan the below and upload them through your online TransferMate account
1. Copy of the passport page with the visa affix;
2. Along with one of the following:
- Immigration stamp on your passport which you receive at the airport on arrival into Ireland.
- Proof of registration with your education institution (i.e. student card).
- Proof of registration with Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) or the Immigration Officer in the area in which you are residing in Ireland.
I am having problems completing my registration and making my bond payment. Who can I contact?
For all registration and payment queries please contact the TransferMate customer service team via email, phone or Live Chat. These details can be found on the "Contact Us" section of this website.
Email: edu@transfermate.com
Phone: +353(0)1 887 2892
All contact information is available in the "Contact Us" section of the site.
I am a degree programme student and wish to study in Ireland. Is the education bond the only evidence of finance I can provide?
The education bond is a programme introduced by ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) in 2011. This is an alternative evidence of finance which allows degree programme students and Chinese language students (ILEP listed School) to provide an alternative to bank statements as a method of proof of finances. However students may also choose to use the other evidence of finance as advised by ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) on their website. This involves the student proving they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment. For full details on this option please see the official ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) website.
Can I make the education bond payments in instalments before I arrive into Ireland?
ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) will only accept the full education bond of €10,000 as evidence of finance when they are approving your visa.
TransferMate can accept instalment payments, but you won't be sent the Bond Receipt until full amount has been received.