Sinn Féin’s justice spokesperson Matt Carthy TD has accused the Department of Justice of neglecting oversight of Stamp 2 student visas, particularly in the booming English-language school sector. In a 11 December statement, Carthy cited Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) data showing that almost half of first-time residency permits issued to non-EEA nationals in 2024 were for education purposes, yet only “a handful” of language schools were inspected.
The TD warned that inadequate monitoring allows some visa-holders to drift into the shadow economy or lodge protection claims, exacerbating housing and service pressures. He called for a comprehensive audit of schools, stricter attendance tracking and mandatory data-sharing between education providers and immigration authorities.
For applicants who need to secure or renew a Stamp 2 permission, professional help can make the process less daunting. VisaHQ offers online and in-person support with document collation, appointment scheduling and status tracking, helping students avoid delays or refusals; further details are available at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/.
![Government criticised over ‘low inspection rate’ for Stamp 2 student-visa holders]()
For universities and legitimate language institutes, the spotlight is a double-edged sword. Tighter compliance regimes could raise administrative costs but also weed out rogue operators that damage Ireland’s reputation as a study destination. Employers who rely on Stamp 2 holders for part-time work—permitted up to 20 hours during term—should brace for potential documentation checks.
The Department of Justice has yet to respond publicly, but officials have previously hinted at linking the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) to real-time attendance data collected via biometric systems. If adopted, the change would align Ireland with Australia’s and Canada’s tech-enabled student-visa oversight.
Businesses that recruit part-time international students should review right-to-work procedures and stay alert for new reporting obligations that could emerge in the 2026 Immigration Bill.
The TD warned that inadequate monitoring allows some visa-holders to drift into the shadow economy or lodge protection claims, exacerbating housing and service pressures. He called for a comprehensive audit of schools, stricter attendance tracking and mandatory data-sharing between education providers and immigration authorities.
For applicants who need to secure or renew a Stamp 2 permission, professional help can make the process less daunting. VisaHQ offers online and in-person support with document collation, appointment scheduling and status tracking, helping students avoid delays or refusals; further details are available at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/.
For universities and legitimate language institutes, the spotlight is a double-edged sword. Tighter compliance regimes could raise administrative costs but also weed out rogue operators that damage Ireland’s reputation as a study destination. Employers who rely on Stamp 2 holders for part-time work—permitted up to 20 hours during term—should brace for potential documentation checks.
The Department of Justice has yet to respond publicly, but officials have previously hinted at linking the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) to real-time attendance data collected via biometric systems. If adopted, the change would align Ireland with Australia’s and Canada’s tech-enabled student-visa oversight.
Businesses that recruit part-time international students should review right-to-work procedures and stay alert for new reporting obligations that could emerge in the 2026 Immigration Bill.
