₦airaland Forum

Wishing those still waiting for approvals a positive outcome. A few current tips from my little experience with Ireland...

1. Try your utmost possible best to get a place to stay before arrival or if not possible, an address of someone that is willing to sign a utility bill that you live with him/her. Believe me, an address sorted is half of arrival problems solved.
2. Book a PPS Number appointment for a date immediately after you arrive. Infact, you can book before you arrive once you know your flight date.
3. Get an Irish number ASAP. Cheap MVNO plans are from €12.99, you truly don't need to spend more than that unless you are going to a rural area where you might need Vodafone or other major carrier plans. Bonus: Avoid LycaMobile (they cause more pain than good).
4. Get a LeapCard (or student LeapCard) for transit as soon as possible. Student and children cards (for incoming families) have discounts on transit fares.
5. There is a €160.00/year TV license fee per household for those that want to get a TV. Some landlords might not tell you, but just be aware that every household that owns a TV(s) need to pay this.
6. For electricity, if you can, avoid prepay or credit loading plans. They are usually more expensive (sometimes 1.5 to 2x) than bill-pay plans.
7. It rains unexpectedly at random times. The weather app is almost useless, just bring a reasonable rain jacket or winbreaker when coming to Ireland.
8. You can pay for almost everything by card. Cash is not really necessary to carry around. Yes, our normal Nairacards work, but prepare for hidden exchange fees.
9. So far, Ireland 🇮🇪 is good.

More to come>>>

Ayiri55:
Thank you
After 14 weeks , it has been approved 😭😭🙏

I just saw my number on the list.

Congratulations🎉🎉. Finally, you can come. I wish you a safe and blissful trip.

Tiimmii001:
Can I submit my visa application as sum as I have the money in my account or leave it up to a month before applying.? Someone please help, my resumption is September I got my admission kinda late

If you have the funds, you should apply as early as possible. But you almost certainly won’t make September resumption.

It’s best you defer to January, then apply now for January visa entry.

danieltweets:
good morning everyone,

i’m applying for ireland visa soon and i’ve paid my fees in full. like how much do i need for proof of funds?
or is an educational bond enough

You need €10,000 per year (and €10,000 + fees for subsequent years if your program exceeds 1 year).

Education bond is even better in my opinion but remember you must still submit your bank statements. The bank statement doesn’t need to have €10k balance in this case.

Ayiri55:
Nope. I emailed them yesterday, they said it’s still in queue.

With the look of things, I may just defer or something
Cause my school says we have to be in the country by September 8th.

I’m really just tired and frustrated

Look, if you haven’t already, create a profile on the ISD customer service portal. You can check the real stage of your application there (instead of the general ‘In queue for processing’ response).

With the date you applied, something must have been done on your application. Even people with ‘Received at Embassy of Ireland in Abuja’ dates of early June are already getting decisions.

Nevertheless, you still have the whole of August. So continue to pray for approval. We wish you good success,

Olulana06:
Please how do I go about using NIN. My passport is not with me. Can I use the soft copy or I need the hard copy .

You just need the clear copy of your passport data page, but preferably your NIN card or slip. Any of these can work.

Ayiri55:
I’m aware, on both ISD and vfs, there’s no movement. Still the same story for over 10 weeks now

Well, even student applications of May 4th at Dublin office, have seen their decisions since 2 weeks ago. Let's see if anyone else after you has received theirs.

Ayiri55:
lol, 10 weeks and counting, still nothing

You can check the ISD customer service portal to know your application status. You can use your NIN to register as your passport is not with you.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/customer-service-portal-a-guide-to-using-the-online-self-service-portal/

https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

Your real processing timeline actually starts from the date 'received by the Embassy' stated on the VFS tracker ( https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking/Track/Index? ) "Your Processed Application ref no. IRLXXXXXXXX has been received by the Embassy of Ireland on XX/XX/2026".

Shally233:
Please just apply for next intake Instead, I submitted third week in June and I just got message today that it's under processing

Did you submit at VFS Lagos or VFS Abuja? I think 3+ weeks to receive the first processing notification is long.

Track your visa application to know if it has been dispatched to the Embassy of Ireland - VFS Online Tracking

https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Global-Passporttracking/Track/Index?q=shSA0YnE4pLF9Xzwon/x/KgjqpWLKpJv1+Cz1ga9/6EJfiYm1eKv4NloVE0HSGxAhM91o/mqIRHo8VDqxu/PD3GLunT4EQNAWkkdOWkUr1U=

Yes, unfortunately it would only allow registration with the actual passport. So you might have to just wait till you get it back before you register (you'll have to use the site when you eventually arrive Ireland anyway).

Quick tip for intending applicants: Register on the ISD customer portal with your passport before you apply for a visa.

Edit: Some claim a clear colored copy of bio-data page works too.

MaryAndrews:
This process requires verification that involves taking a live picture of my original passport
I already submitted my passport with my application.
I have tried using a soft copy and a printed coloured copy, neither of them worked.
How are we supposed to complete the registration
==============

You can create an account on the ISD Customer service portal. There you can view what stage your application is at out of the 5 possible stages.

Registration is quite straightforward.

https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

Gentleman07:
Please guys has anyone recently gotten a decision on thier application. I submitted my application Feb 1st there’s been no update since then.

Is there a way to know the particular month they are processing at the moment. I’m making travelling plans and thinking of asking them to return my passport.

Latest Abuja visa decisions for period 15th to 21th June, 2026.

Quick summary
Total = 83
Approved = 22
Refused = 61

Approval percentage = 26.5%

https://www.ireland.ie/en/nigeria/abuja/services/visas/weekly-decision-reports/#visa-decisions

Latest Abuja visa decisions for period 15th to 21th June, 2026.

Quick summary
Total = 83
Approved = 22
Refused = 61

Approval percentage = 26.5%

https://www.ireland.ie/en/nigeria/abuja/services/visas/weekly-decision-reports/#visa-decisions

Hello Temitopex,

You've got mail.

Temitopex:
You're most welcome.

Yes, you’ll need both.

Confidence05:
Thank you very much for your prompt response. Do you mean the SEVIS ID and Program Number on the DS-2019 form?

Congratulations on your post-doc offer. You’ll need the details from your DS-2019 to fill the SEVIS fee form on the DHS website.

Yes, uploading the SEVIS fee Payment confirmation receipt would increase your chance of getting a positive response for your emergency appointment request.

Confidence05:
Hello guys,

I recently got a postdoc offer in USA. I am at the point of paying SEVIS fee. Please what are the requirements for SEVIS fee payment? In addition, please do I need to upload the SEVIS FEE receipt to request for an emergency visa interview? Thanks in advance for your response.

Qatar is the best airline in the world. Just know that it has a very very long 2nd leg from Doha to US (as all their flights must stop-over at Doha).

Cheaper flying from Abuja than Lagos with Qatar. But it’s usually a very lovely experience.

alexisblessed:
Please if anyone has flown Qatar to the US in the last one month abeg let me know