Coming to

Dublin E-book
All you need to know before
moving to Dublin
Content
First steps after arriving in Dublin
Arriving at the airport/ talking to immigration 3
Getting your IRP card (Visa) 6
Getting your PPS number 8
Opening a bank account 9
Getting your student Leap card 11
How to use the public transport 12
Getting your DublinBikes card 13
Getting an Irish mobile number 14
Finding permanent accommodation 15
Getting a job 17
Shopping the basics 18

Getting to know Ireland

Interesting facts about Ireland 20
Places to visit in Ireland 21
Places to visit in Dublin 22
 Arriving at the airport/
Talking to immigration

You are in Dublin Airport,

welcome to Ireland!
You travelled a long way; however,
before leaving the airport and starting
enjoying the Irish life, there are a few
more steps to follow:

Non-EU arrivals EU arrivals

Students arriving in the country

If you are entering the country with
with a non-European passport will
a European passport, you must
have to go through the non-Eu
go through the blue queue for
queue for immigration control
Europeans for immigration
once off the plane. Once you have
control before you pick up your
passed this stage, you can pick up
luggage.
your luggage.

3
What could the What’s your name and when were you born?

Customs/ Where have you flown from?

Immigration officials Did you come on a direct, or on a connecting flight?

ask you? Did you make any stopovers since you left your country?
What’s the purpose of your visit?
How long will you stay here?
What’s your occupation?
Where will you stay? (accommodation details)
Do you have the letter from the school?
Do you have anything to declare?
Do you have proof of money in your bank account?
How much cash are you bringing with you?

These are some of the documents you

may be asked for at the migration desk

Passport Enrolment Letter Proof of Address

Must be valid for the Letter from the school with Letter of accommodation upon arrival in
duration of the student’s information about the start of your the country. This can be from the hostel,
stay in the country. course and verification of full payment hotel, student accommodation, host
of the course fee. family or house you are staying in.

Medical Insurance Financial Evidence Flight Tickets

It is compulsory to have governmental A deposit of €4200 which can be in Demonstration of an exit ticket for
insurance with the option to take out cash or in a bank statement. the end of the course; it must be to
private medical insurance. outside Ireland.

4
Vocabulary Departures Check-in desks
Where passengers go Where you arrive and
“The Airport” before getting on a plane. register. Some airline
companies give the
Arrivals possibility to check-in
Where passengers online.
arrive after landing.

Baggage drop-off desks

Where you can leave your bags to be put on a
plane if you have already checked in for the flight.

Baggage reclaim
Where you get back the baggage you checked in
for a flight.

To declare something
To show the Customs officers you are bringing
something to the country which is not included
on the list of permitted goods.

5
 Getting your
IRP card (Visa)

You will apply for your visa

directly in Ireland.
Travellers from many countries don’t need
to apply for their visa until their arrive in
Ireland. However, travellers from other
countries must apply for a visa before
travelling, which means that you must
arrive in the country with a visa already
acquired.

you can check which countries need visa here

If your country applies

for a visa upon arrival
We suggest that you make an appointment before This is the place
you arrive in Ireland, and the ideal date to make an you have to go on
the day of your
appointment is two to three weeks after your
appointment.
classes start and no later than 90 days after your
arrival in Ireland. Burgh Quay Registry Oce Irish
Naturalization, Immigration
Service Department of Justice
To request an appointment to apply for a visa you and Equality

must call the following telephone number: 13-14 Burgh Quay,Dublin 2

Ireland - D02 XK70
Freephone
1800 800 630

6
These are the
documents to
present at your
appointment
Passport Enrolment Letter Proof of Address

Financial Evidence Medical Insurance

There are three ways
to do this

Bank Account Current Statement

Statement From of a Prepaid Card Postal Order
Abroad (Debit Or Credit)

A current bank This statement would With your €4200 in

statement showing be considered valis as cash, you can go to the
sucient funds (it can long as the card and post office (in Ireland)
be an account in your statement have the and ask for a “postal
home country), not name of the holder order”. This consists
less than one month (in this case, the of exchanging the cash
old, together with a student) linked to the for cheques covering
past statement and a required amount. the same amount that
debit card. you will use to present
The account and card to immigration. Once
must be in the student’s you have done this
name (as it appears on you can go back to
their passport). the post office and
exchange them again
for the cash.

7
 Getting your
PPS number
The Personal Public
Service Number (PPSN)
The PPS card establishes and fully
authenticates your identity, assisting
you in accessing a range of public services
in an easy and safe manner that comes
with a unique number that helps you
access social welfare benefits, public
services and information in Ireland.

you can apply online for your PPSN here

Evidence you need to submit to obtain your PPSN
Identity Proof of Address

If you are not European Proof of your residence

you need to present which must contain
your current passport your full name, address
to proof your identity. and cannot be older The application
If you are European than 3 months.
citizen you can present is online, on
your current passport
or your national identity The proof can be: MyWelfare website.
card.
Household utility bill Once requested
Official letter/document it will take 4 or 5
What you need
the PPSN A financial statement weeks for the letter
You must have a signed Property lease or with the number to
offer of employment tenancy agreement
from your employer arrive to your home
confirming when your Confirmation by a third
job is due to start or party such as a hotel address.
when it started. It must or hostel administrator
include employer’s
contact details and the or manager, school
employer/company’s principal or property
registraition number. owner.

8
 Opening a
Bank Account

If you are in Ireland for a 6

month course, you may need
a bank account here.
There are many banks and branches in
Ireland; however, the school has an
agreement with AIB Capel Street, located
just 5 minutes walking distance from the
school. We would recommend this branch
in order to make this process easier for you.

Steps to open your

bank account
1 Bank Letter AIB Capel Branch
126/128 Capel Street
The letter can only be requested
North City, Dublin, D01 VW89
through Erin’s app. Once it is ready
you will be notified and you can pick
it up at the school reception.
Note that it can take up to 5 days
for the letter to be ready. Make sure that your name
on the student’s letter and
2 Appointment the document to prove
Schedule an appointment at the AIB
Capel Street branch. your address is your full
name as on your passport
3 Bring all the documentation and that the address on
your letter is correct.

Passport School’s Proof of

Bank Letter Address

9
Once you have opened the bank account
your debit card and a 4-digit pin code If your bank card gets lost
will be sent to you by post. For security
reasons they are posted in two different
or stolen you must call
letters and will arrive on separate days. your bank immediately.

We suggest you wait until you

have received both before you
lodge your money.

Vocabulary Balance Coins

Amount of money you Pieces of metal used
“Bank” have in your account. as money.

Credit card Note

Card to pay virtually Paper money.
on credit

Currency
Money used in a particular country (e.g. Euros,
Pounds, Reals, US Dollars, etc.).

Current account
Personal bank account from which you can take
money out at any time using your card.

Savings account
A bank account that accumulates interest. You
are not always allowed to take money out of it (it
depends on the account’s terms and conditions)

10
 Getting your
Student Leap Card

The Student Leap Card is the

national student travel card.
Card holders can get student discounts
on fares for Go-Ahead Ireland, Dublin
Bus, Luas, Bus Éireann, DART and Irish
Rail (Iarnród Éireann) as well as other
participating private transport operators
in the Republic of Ireland.

you can apply online for your student card here

Remember to bring your

Collecting identification and your school letter
points when you collect your card.
Once the process has
been completed you
To apply for the student leap card
will be given a code
which you will need
you need to be a full-time student.
to present in any of Courses of less than three months
the collecting points to are not eligible.
be printed.
It can be done in
universities, Dublin
Bus office on
O’Connell St. or in
Trinity College
Student Union.

11
 How to use the
public transport

Dublin is served by various

means of transport such as
buses, trains and trams.

Luas (tram) Dublin Bus (bus) Dart (train)

The Luas has two lines, Buses operate in all areas Trains run from Malahide
a red line running from of Dublin city centre and or Howth station in North
The Point or Connolly many suburbs around Dublin to Greystones in
Station in the city centre Dublin. You can pay in County Wicklow in South
of Dublin to Saggart or coins by telling the Dublin.
Tallaght in south-west driver your destination You can buy cash or card
Dublin. The green line stop or tap with the leap tickets from the ticket
runs from Broombridge card. If you tell the driver machines at each station
in North Dublin down your stop the amount or pay with your leap card
to Bride’s Glen in the will be charged up to that which you must tap
south, via Central stop, however, if you tap before you start your
Dublin. You can buy cash on the machine you will journey and again when
or card tickets from the be charged up to the final you get off the train.
ticket machines at each stop of that bus line.
station or pay with your Note, the driver does
leap card which you must not give change for
tap before you start coins, if you don’t have
your journey and again the right amount the
when you get off. change is given to you
on a ticket to reuse.

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 Getting your
DublinBike Card

Get around the centre of

Dublin by bicycle.
Cycling is an option for getting around
Dublin for less money. If you are a
newcomer or an occasional cyclist, Dublin
bikes are a great way to get around the
city centre. Simply pick up your bike at
one of the stations and return it to your
destination.

Create your account here

It has different subscription options

Annual
1 Day Ticket 3 Day Ticket Subscription

Ideal for tourists and For short term hire. With an Annual
visitors as a way to Ideal for tourists Subscription you can
get around and and visitors as a way rent a bike 365 days
exploring the city. of get around and a year.
exploring the city.
€3.5 €35
€5
more info more info
more info

The first 30 minutes

of each journey is free.

13
 Getting an Irish
mobile number

Having an Irish phone line will allow you

to communicate and make calls in Ireland,
especially when you are looking for a
job. Many of them offer unlimited internet
and roaming so it will also be useful if you
want to travel outside of Ireland.

Here are some options

Three GoMo Lyca Mobile

There are 3 prepaid You can order the With this company you
plan options with sim online which will can have unlimited
different benefits be delivered to your internet along with
including unlimited home address and unlimited calls and
4g/5g internet, free offers unlimited 5g messages in Ireland
calls and messages to internet, roaming, and 100 minutes
other three lines and calls, messages and international calls to
much more starting more for a lifetime 34 countries for €10
from €15 per month. cost of €14,99. when you buy online.

more info more info more info

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 Finding permanent
accommodation

The search for permanent

accommodation is a very
important step to take.
Dublin city is divided into 24 different postal
districts; the odd numbers are situated
on the Northside of the river Liffey, and
even numbers are located on the Southside.

Family home Shared Flat/House

Living with an Irish family for some Sharing a flat or a house will allow
weeks can give you the chance to you to connect with people of
get to know your new city faster different nationalities and cultural
at the same time you start exchanges.
getting familiar with everyday
expressions and learn loads about You can search on
the Emerald Island. Daft Rent
You can search on *Room vacancies are also commonly advertised on

Homestay Facebook groups or on Instagram pages; so keeping

an eye on groups of people or VISA students in Dublin.

The Eircode is Ireland’s postcode system.

It enables people and businesses to find
every address in Ireland, helping you to
find places more easily.
Search for the eircode of an address here

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 Requirements that a Precautions to be taken
landlord or agency may
Neither landlords or estate agents
ask you to meet should ask you for more than 2
months’ rent as a deposit.
Copy of your passport and payslips Take photographs of the place when
you move in to use as evidence of
Bank account details and 2/3 last
the condition of the place and
month transactions
have your deposit returned when
Deposit you leave.
References from previous landlords Never pay in advance unless you
have a contract signed by both
parties or a receipt of payment.

Vocabulary & Can you give me the Eircode?

Is the house in the outskirts, or in the city
expressions centre?
“house hunting” What bus / Luas stops are nearby?
How much is the deposit?
Is the price for a bed in a shared room, or is it
for the whole room?
How is the housework divided?
Are the bins included in the price of the rent?

Accommodation facilities
Living room Patio
Dining room Garage
Laundry room Bike storage
Lift Surveillance
Front garden Fire alarm
Back garden Bunk beds
Rooftop Washing machine
Balcony Dryer

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 Getting
a job

If you have your stamp 2

student visa you are eligible
to work legally in Ireland.
Non-European students with study visas
can legally work a maximum of 20hs per
week. However, they are allowed to work
40hs per week during the Christmas break
from December 15th to January 15th and
during the summer period from June 1st
to September 30th.
The first thing you will need is a Curriculum
The best thing to do is to
Vitae (CV). It should be maximum 2 pages walk around the city and
and there must not be any language errors leave your CV in different
in English.
pubs, restaurants, shops,
etc. Simply ask for the
manager of the place and
Look for a job on leave your CV.
the internet.

Indeed

IrishJobs

Jobs

Monster

17
 Shopping
the basics

There are different places

where you can go for your
basic living essentials
In many of the supermarkets you can
find not only food but also home
decorations and household items,
cleaning supplies and even clothing.

These are some of the best known supermarkets

There are other accessible places where

you can go for cleaning products, beauty
products, decoration and household
goods such as EuroGiant, Dealz and
Flying Tiger.

18
Getting to know
Ireland

19
 Interesting facts
about Ireland

The entire Irish territory is

separated into two, the
Republic of Ireland and
Northern Ireland, which
belongs to the UK.
Ireland is divided into 4 provinces that at
the same time, are divided into smaller
areas called “counties”. Co. Dublin is the
capital of the Republic of Ireland while Co.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland.

Ireland is divided into 4

provinces, which are similar
to states : Population
Ulster
4.9M 1.8M
Republic Northern
Connacht of Ireland Ireland

Currency

€ Euro £ Pound
Leinster Republic Northern
of Ireland Ireland

Munster
20
 Places to visit
in Ireland

Ireland has some of the most

beautiful tourist attractions in
the world.

Belfast
Bray Head to Greystones cliff walk
Clis of Moher
Derry
Donegal
Galway/Aran Islands
Giant’s Causeway
Glendalough
Guinness Lake
Howth (village, castle and cliff walk)
Kerry
Kilkenny
Limerick Carrauntoohil

Malahide (village and castle)

The Stairway to Heaven (Cuilcagh Mountain Park)
Trim Castle
Sligo
Wicklow Mountains
Benbulben

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 Places to visit
in Dublin

Dublin is a lively and vibrant

city full of places to visit, many
of which are historical heritage

Christ Church Cathedral & Dublinia

Dublin Castle
Dublin Mountains
Dun Laoghaire
Kilmainham Gaol
Ha’penny Bridge
Garden of Remembrance
Guinness Storehouse
Irish National War Memorial Gardens
National Botanic Gardens
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
National Museum of Ireland
Poolbeg Lighthouse
Phoenix Park
Smithfield Chimney
St. Anne’s Park
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Green
Temple Bar
Trinity College Dublin

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WORLD WITH
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