The Irish Government is drawing up options to reduce the annual intake of international students attending private English-language schools after officials warned that some applicants are using study visas as a “back door” into the labour market. According to briefings presented to the Cabinet Committee on Migration last week, a cross-departmental group is considering caps on new enrolments, shorter permission periods and stricter attendance monitoring. (business-standard.com)
Ireland’s English-language sector has boomed since the pandemic, issuing roughly 60,000 study permissions in 2025—double the 2019 figure. Schools argue that students prop up local hospitality and retail jobs, while critics say the surge adds to housing pressure and depresses entry-level wages. With homelessness at record highs and anti-immigration protests flaring in several towns, ministers now see the scheme as politically vulnerable. (business-standard.com)
Policy options under review include: (1) introducing a national quota linked to accommodation capacity; (2) raising the funds students must show to support themselves; (3) re-introducing a minimum hourly tuition requirement; and (4) limiting the right to take up part-time work (currently 20 hours per week during term). Any changes would feed into the forthcoming International Education Strategy 2027 and would apply from the September 2026 intake, giving schools one recruitment cycle to adjust.
![Ireland Plans to Curb English-Language Student Numbers and Tighten Study-Visa Rules]()
For readers who need practical assistance navigating Ireland’s shifting visa landscape, VisaHQ can provide step-by-step support—whether that’s clarifying new financial thresholds, securing study permission or transitioning to work status. Their dedicated Ireland page (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers real-time updates, document checklists and an easy online application process for individuals and organisations alike.
For multinational employers, the mooted curbs could shrink an important pipeline of work-ready graduates who often progress to Stamp 1G permits and critical-skills roles in IT and finance. Immigration advisers recommend front-loading recruitment of non-EEA language-school graduates during 2026 and auditing existing employees’ permission end-dates to avoid gaps if the rules tighten.
Stakeholders have until early April to feed into an inter-departmental consultation. A formal proposal could reach Cabinet before the summer recess, leaving just weeks for any legislative amendments to pass before the 2026/27 academic year.
Ireland’s English-language sector has boomed since the pandemic, issuing roughly 60,000 study permissions in 2025—double the 2019 figure. Schools argue that students prop up local hospitality and retail jobs, while critics say the surge adds to housing pressure and depresses entry-level wages. With homelessness at record highs and anti-immigration protests flaring in several towns, ministers now see the scheme as politically vulnerable. (business-standard.com)
Policy options under review include: (1) introducing a national quota linked to accommodation capacity; (2) raising the funds students must show to support themselves; (3) re-introducing a minimum hourly tuition requirement; and (4) limiting the right to take up part-time work (currently 20 hours per week during term). Any changes would feed into the forthcoming International Education Strategy 2027 and would apply from the September 2026 intake, giving schools one recruitment cycle to adjust.
For readers who need practical assistance navigating Ireland’s shifting visa landscape, VisaHQ can provide step-by-step support—whether that’s clarifying new financial thresholds, securing study permission or transitioning to work status. Their dedicated Ireland page (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers real-time updates, document checklists and an easy online application process for individuals and organisations alike.
For multinational employers, the mooted curbs could shrink an important pipeline of work-ready graduates who often progress to Stamp 1G permits and critical-skills roles in IT and finance. Immigration advisers recommend front-loading recruitment of non-EEA language-school graduates during 2026 and auditing existing employees’ permission end-dates to avoid gaps if the rules tighten.
Stakeholders have until early April to feed into an inter-departmental consultation. A formal proposal could reach Cabinet before the summer recess, leaving just weeks for any legislative amendments to pass before the 2026/27 academic year.
