University of Galway

Visiting your child at the University of Galway means flying into Dublin (DUB), then a direct coach/train to Galway (~2.5 hr). Plan the Irish Short Stay 'C' visit visa well ahead - remember Ireland is not in Schengen.

Getting from DUB to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Ireland is NOT in the Schengen Area and runs its own visa system - a Schengen visa does NOT grant entry to Ireland. Indian parents need an Irish Short Stay 'C' Visit (Family/Friend) visa, applied for online via the AVATS portal with documents submitted to the VFS Visa Application Centre in India. It allows a stay of up to 90 days (no work), and you can apply up to 90 days before travel.

• Apply online via AVATS, then submit documents and biometrics at the VFS Visa Application Centre in India.
• Ireland is separate from Schengen - if parents also want to visit Schengen Europe, they need a separate Schengen visa.
• Build a strong file: bank statements (6 months), proof of funds (~EUR 50-100/day), confirmed travel, and a letter of invitation from your child.
• From 1 June 2026 short-stay refusals can no longer be appealed - a fresh AVATS application is needed, so prepare documents carefully.

Just admitted to the University of Galway? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Dublin (DUB) early - good one-stop connections from Indian metros.
• Direct coach (CityLink/GoBus) or train from Dublin to Galway (~2.5 hr).
• Galway is cheaper than Dublin - line up housing early; get the student Leap Card.
• After arrival, register for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP), apply for a PPS number so you can work, and arrange private health insurance (~EUR 50-80/month).

Galway, the lively cultural city on the west coast, is more affordable than Dublin - about EUR 1,000-1,400 a month all-in sharing and cooking. Famous for its arts, festivals and student buzz, it is compact and walkable, with a growing med-tech job market, bus links on the Leap Card and TFI Bikes. The Atlantic and Connemara are on the doorstep.

Monthly cost of living in Galway (a student estimate)

That's roughly €11,500-16,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Ireland's rental market is very competitive, especially in Dublin - start your search early via Daft.ie and Rent.ie, and look at university and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) first. For student-specific accommodation, landlords cannot demand more than one month's deposit plus one month's rent up front.

• Start the housing hunt the moment you are accepted - Dublin in particular is very competitive.
• Never pay a deposit before a signed contract and a viewing; for student accommodation the deposit is capped at one month.
• Galway is compact and walkable; the student Leap Card and TFI Bikes (EUR 10/year) keep transport cheap.

Working part-time

On a Stamp 2 student permission you can work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours per week in the standardised holiday periods (June to September, and 15 December to 15 January). You will need a PPS number to work, and you register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) after arrival; the minimum wage is about EUR 13-14/hour in 2026. After graduating you can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G): a level 8 honours bachelor degree earns a 12-month stay-back, and a level 9 or 10 master's or PhD earns 24 months (issued as 12 + 12). On Stamp 1G you can work full-time (40 hours/week) in any field while you look for an employer to sponsor a General or Critical Skills Employment Permit. Total time on student permission is capped at about 7 years (8 with the graduate scheme).

Safety & student support

Galway's universities is in a safe, friendly Irish city; Ireland is welcoming and English-speaking, with normal city awareness needed at night.

• Galway's universities has campus security and student services - save the campus number.
• Irish cities are generally safe and walkable; use normal awareness in nightlife areas late at night.
• A friendly student city; normal awareness in nightlife areas at night.

Indian community & food

Galway has a smaller but growing Indian community with limited desi grocers.

Indian grocery stores

• A couple of Indian/Asian grocers in the city stock spices and staples.
• Mainstream Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi and Lidl carry world-food aisles.
• Selection is limited; students stock up on staples or order online.

Student community

• Galway's universities have active Indian and South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The med-tech sector and lively student scene support a growing community.

• A modest set of Indian restaurants in the city.

Cost & living figures for Galway last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.