Ireland Pre-Departure Checklist 2026: 30-Day Countdown for Indian Students

You've got the offer. The visa is approved. The accommodation is booked. Now what?

The 30 days between your visa pickup and your flight to Dublin are the most under-planned part of the journey. Most Indian students fly with a half-packed suitcase and a vague plan, then spend the first three weeks in Ireland scrambling for a SIM card, missing IRP appointments, and sleeping on a friend's sofa because their accommodation contract started a week later than their flight landed.

This guide is the 60-day plan we give every TMC student: the 30 calendar days before you fly and the 30 days after you land. Each phase has clear actions, the documents you need, and the order to do them in. Read this once, save it, and check things off as you go. By Day 30, you should have your IRP card, PPS number, bank account, and a job application or two in motion.

Phase 1 — Before you fly: the 30-day countdown

T-30 days · Foundation week (1 month before flight)

Your visa is on its way back from VFS. Use this week to lock in the structural pieces:

• Confirm VFS appointment status / visa pickup window. Track via VFS Global India's portal. Most decisions arrive 17–31 working days from VFS appointment — see our Ireland Student Visa Processing Time guide for what to expect.
• Book your IRP registration appointment. If your accommodation is in Dublin, use Burgh Quay Registration Office. If outside Dublin, find the local Garda station that handles immigration. Slots fill 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season — book early.
• Final accommodation paperwork. Request a 6-month minimum lease, not month-to-month. Most Sep arrivals struggle to find replacement accommodation in October.
• Initial flight options reviewed. Aer Lingus, Air India, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates, Etihad all fly to Dublin. Direct vs one-stop trade-off: direct is 9 hours, one-stop is 12–16 hours but typically 30–40% cheaper.
• Travel insurance researched. Look at student-specific options — Tata AIG, Bajaj Allianz, ICICI Lombard. Pick a 12-month minimum. Cost: €40–€100 for the year.
• Packing list draft started. See section below for the categorised list.

T-21 days · Money & accommodation

• Visa decision in hand. Hopefully. If not, contact your TMC counsellor — we follow up directly when applications stretch beyond 25 working days.
• One-way flight booked. One-way is recommended. A return ticket signals “tourism” intent at Dublin immigration; a one-way with student visa is what officers expect.
• Forex card loaded. Load 1.5–2 lakh INR equivalent in EUR for first 4–6 weeks of spend. See our full guide: Forex Card vs Debit Card 2026.
• University orientation registration. Most universities open orientation booking in mid-July for Sep intake. Don't skip orientation week — it's where you set up the IRP/PPS appointments and meet your cohort.
• Vaccinations & medical letter (if needed). Ireland doesn't require vaccinations from India. But if you're on prescription medication, get a doctor's letter listing all medications, dosages, and the medical reason. This protects you at customs and helps Irish GPs continue your prescriptions.
• WhatsApp / international plan strategy. Activate Indian roaming for the first 24 hours after landing. You'll switch to an Irish SIM in week 1.

T-14 days · Documents & insurance

• Travel insurance purchased. Comprehensive cover including: medical (€100,000+), repatriation, baggage loss, flight delay. The insurance certificate is part of the documents you may be asked to show at Dublin immigration.
• Documents to print. See checklist below.
• Currency cash buffer planned. Carry €200–€300 cash for first 24 hours (taxi, food, emergencies). Don't carry more — cash above €10,000 must be declared at Dublin Airport customs.
• IRP appointment confirmation. Verify your slot is still active in your INIS portal. Print the confirmation.
• Final bank statements. The IRP registration desk wants to see proof of funds for the duration of your studies. Get fresh copies (not older than 30 days) of your sponsor's bank statements.

T-7 days · Final week before flight

• Packing complete. Aer Lingus and most Indian carriers allow 23kg checked + 7kg cabin. Some allow 2x23kg checked. Verify your specific airline.
• WhatsApp / calling plan activated. Tell your bank you're travelling so cards aren't blocked at first foreign use.
• Goodbye logistics. Save emergency contacts in 3 places: phone, email draft, printed paper in wallet. Include parent number, your university's international student office, your accommodation provider, your TMC counsellor.
• Pickup at Dublin Airport confirmed. If your accommodation provider arranges pickup, confirm by email. Otherwise, plan AirCoach (€9, 30 minutes to city centre) or Free Now taxi (€30–€50 to most addresses).
• Documents to carry on person (not in checked baggage):
  • Passport (with visa stamp)
  • Print of CAS / Letter of Acceptance / INIS approval letter
  • Print of accommodation confirmation
  • Print of bank statements (proof of funds)
  • Print of travel insurance certificate
  • Print of emergency contacts
  • Photocopies of all the above (in a separate folder)

Day 0 · Flight day

• Documents on person, not in checked baggage. If your luggage is delayed (it happens), you don't want your visa stamp lost with it.
• Cash buffer ready — €200–€300 in your wallet, not in luggage.
• Power adapter (UK 3-pin Type G) and basic toiletries in carry-on.
• Forex card in wallet, not in checked baggage.
• Dublin Airport arrival plan: follow signs for AirCoach (city-centre direct), Dublin Bus 16/41 (cheaper but slower), or taxi rank (Free Now app preferred over flagging on street). Allow 60–90 minutes from landing to your accommodation.
• First 24 hours plan: sleep, eat, recover. Don't try to do registrations on Day 1. The IRP / PPS / SIM card admin starts on Day 2.

Phase 2 — Your first 30 days in Ireland

Day 1–3 · Land & SIM

• Get an Irish SIM card. Three (best value for international students), Vodafone (best coverage), Eir (legacy operator), or 48 (budget MVNO). Plans range €15–€30/month for unlimited data + 30 mins international calls. Walk into any Three / Vodafone shop in city centre with passport and accommodation address.
• Verify your accommodation address. The address as printed on your accommodation contract is what you'll use for IRP, PPS, and bank applications. Save it precisely.
• First grocery run. Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi are everywhere. SuperValu has slightly more Indian products. Asia Market and SPAR carry rice, atta, dal.
• Set up WhatsApp / phone with new Irish number. Tell parents and TMC counsellor.

Day 3–7 · IRP registration

• Attend your IRP registration appointment. Documents required: passport (with visa stamp), letter from your university confirming enrolment, proof of finance (bank statements, scholarship letter), accommodation contract or proof of address, payment of €300 fee.
• Your IRP card arrives by post in 6–8 weeks. The IRP receipt issued at the registration appointment is your interim proof of legal residence.
• Confirm the IRP card delivery address — if you're moving accommodation in the first 2 months, use the more permanent address.

Day 7–14 · PPS number

• Apply for PPS number on MyWelfare.ie. Documents: passport, IRP receipt (or IRP card if it's arrived), accommodation proof, university enrolment letter or employer letter (if you have a job offer).
• Processing: 4–6 weeks. The PPS number is needed for legal employment, tax registration, bank account opening, mobile phone contract upgrades, and any government service.
• Why now and not week 1? Some PPS application requirements (specifically the IRP receipt) only become available after week 1.

Day 14–21 · Bank account

• Open an Irish bank account. Best options for international students:
  • AIB Student Account — free, decent app, established reputation
  • Bank of Ireland Student Account — same league
  • Revolut — instant sign-up via app, no branch visit needed (most popular with Indian students in 2026)
  • N26 — mobile-first European bank, also good
• Documents needed for traditional banks (AIB, BOI): passport, IRP card (or receipt), PPS number letter, proof of address (utility bill or accommodation contract), university enrolment letter.
• Direct debit setup for accommodation rent and any utility bills. Most landlords accept rent by bank transfer or direct debit, which becomes much cheaper than international forex card payments.

Day 21–30 · Job hunt & settling

• CV adapted to Irish format. One page, contact info at top (use Irish phone number now), professional summary, education, work experience (reverse-chronological), skills, references. Drop personal photo, age, marital status.
• Job platforms: IrishJobs.ie, Indeed.ie, Jobs.ie, your university's career portal. For tech roles, also LinkedIn Jobs (Ireland).
• Stamp 2 work hours tracking starts. See our full guide: Working in Ireland on Stamp 2. Maximum 20 hours/week during term, 40 during summer.
• Tax registration. Once you have a job offer, register for tax via Revenue.ie. Most employers handle initial PAYE setup but you'll need to log in to claim refunds at year-end.

The packing list (categorised)

Documents (carry on person, never in checked baggage)

• Passport (with visa stamp)
• Print of CAS / Letter of Acceptance / INIS approval letter
• Print of accommodation confirmation (with full address)
• Print of bank statements / proof of funds (sponsor declarations)
• Print of travel insurance certificate
• Emergency contacts list (printed, in wallet)
• Photocopies of all originals (kept in a separate folder)
• Passport-size photos — bring 8–10 (for IRP, college ID, employer paperwork)

Electronics

• Laptop + charger
• Phone + charger (with international roaming for first 24 hours)
• UK Type G 3-pin power adapter (Ireland uses the same plug as the UK)
• External hard drive or USB-C drive (for backups)
• Headphones / earphones
• Power bank (carry-on only — not allowed in checked baggage)

Clothing (Ireland climate: 5–15°C most of the year, rain ~150 days/year)

• Warm winter jacket (waterproof, hooded preferred)
• Lightweight rain jacket (a daily essential, not optional)
• Layered tops (long-sleeve t-shirts, sweaters, fleece)
• Jeans / trousers (4–5 pairs)
• 1–2 formal outfits (for university interviews and Indian events)
• Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 5–10 km/day in your first month)
• Waterproof boots for winter
• Underwear, socks (multi-pack — cotton, wool blend)
• Indian formal wear (1–2 sets — for Indian community events, Diwali, weddings)

Kitchen & Indian groceries

• Pressure cooker (Hawkins / Prestige — Indian-style cooking is much harder without one)
• Spice box / masala dabba
• Tea (chai masala, your preferred brand)
• Pickles, papad, ready-to-eat masalas (Maggi, MTR, Knorr) — 4–6 weeks supply
• Pre-mixed spice blends (chana masala, biryani masala) for the first month

Most Indian groceries are available in Dublin via Asia Market, ItalyMyTalia, and SPAR. Bringing 4–6 weeks of supply is enough — you'll find what you need locally after that.

Health & medical

• Prescription medications (3 months supply — declare at customs if more)
• Doctor's letter listing medications, dosages, and medical reason
• Vaccination certificate (if you have one)
• Spare glasses / contact lenses + lens solution
• Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, paracetamol, ORS sachets)

Other essentials

• Forex card — in wallet, not luggage
• Indian ATM cards / debit card with international usage enabled
• Indian rupees (€1 = ~₹94 as of May 2026; carry ₹5,000–₹10,000 maximum)
• USB-C / Type-C adapters and cables
• Universal travel adapter
• Books / journals (for your course or hobby) — expensive to ship later

Common mistakes that cost Indian students money or time

1. Booking accommodation only for one month. Most short-term student rentals expire by mid-October, but Sep intake students can't easily find replacement accommodation mid-term. Book a minimum 6-month lease before you fly.
2. Skipping travel insurance. A single ER visit in Dublin costs €500–€2,000 if uninsured. Annual insurance is €40–€100. The maths is obvious.
3. Bringing too much luggage. Excess baggage fees are €50–€100 per bag. Most students discover their winter jacket and pressure cooker get the cut. Pack light, buy locally for the rest.
4. Carrying all cash. Don't carry more than €500 cash on person. Use forex card + Wise + your Indian debit card as backup.
5. Missing the IRP 90-day window. You must register your IRP within 90 days of arrival. Miss it and your visa is cancelled. Book your IRP appointment before you fly.
6. Delaying PPS application past week 4. No PPS = no bank account = no employer payment = stress. Apply in week 1 of arrival.
7. Not photocopying documents. Lose your originals at the airport, in the queue at IRP, or in transit, and you're looking at weeks of replacement.
8. Buying winter clothes in India. Indian winter clothes are not made for Irish weather. The Penneys (Primark) jacket for €40 outperforms most Indian winter jackets. Bring 1 jacket; buy the second locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I pick up my visa?

Your visa stamp arrives back at the VFS Global India centre 17–31 working days after your appointment. VFS notifies you by email/SMS when it's ready. You can pick up in person or pay extra for courier delivery.

One-way or return flight?

Always one-way. A return ticket signals tourism intent at Dublin immigration and risks complications. Your Stamp 2 visa is your travel justification.

How much cash should I carry?

€200–€300 cash for the first 24 hours. More than €10,000 cash must be declared at Dublin Airport customs.

What's the temperature in Ireland during September arrival?

September: 10–18°C (highs in mid-day, drops to 5–8°C at night). October–March: 5–12°C with rain on most days. Plan for layers and waterproof clothing from day one.

Do I need vaccinations to enter Ireland?

No mandatory vaccinations from India. Routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis B) are recommended but not required at the border. Bring vaccination records if you have them.

Can my parents come to drop me off in Ireland?

Yes, on a regular Schengen-equivalent or Ireland Short Stay (D) visa. Travel companion visas are typically processed in 4–6 weeks. Plan ahead.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss my IRP appointment?

Email burghquayregoffice@justice.ie immediately with your appointment reference. They typically reschedule within 1–2 weeks for genuine delays.

Can I work from day 1?

No. You need an IRP card, a PPS number, and a tax registration before you can legally earn. Realistic earliest is week 4–6 after arrival. See our Stamp 2 Working Rules guide for the full path.

How long does the IRP card take?

The card arrives 6–8 weeks after registration. The IRP receipt you get on registration day is your interim proof of legal residence.

Are Indian medications available in Ireland?

Most are, under different brand names. Bring a doctor's letter listing the active ingredient (not just the Indian brand name). Irish GPs can prescribe equivalents.

Do I need to register with the Garda (police) when I arrive?

Yes, but only as part of your IRP registration. There's no separate police registration. The IRP appointment at Burgh Quay (or your local Garda station) handles this.

What's the difference between IRP and GNIB card?

Same thing — the GNIB card was renamed to IRP (Irish Residence Permit) in 2017. Some old guides still call it GNIB.

Sources & further reading

• INIS — Coming to Study in Ireland (official)
• Burgh Quay Registration Office (Dublin) — IRP appointment booking
• Education in Ireland — Pre-Arrival Information
• Citizens Information — Ireland (general guide)
• MyWelfare.ie — PPS Number Application
• Revenue.ie — Tax registration
• Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland
• Dublin Airport — Arrivals & transport
• AirCoach — Dublin Airport to city transport
• Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)

About this guide. The Mentors Circle has been guiding Indian families through the full Ireland journey — from offer letter to graduation to first employment — since 2014. We are an Enterprise Ireland endorsed agent with a 97% visa success rate, 15,000+ placements, and partner of UCD, Trinity College Dublin, University of Galway, NCI, UCC, DCU and others. Our internal counsellor team handles 200+ visa appeals each year and stays in touch with students through their first 12 months in Ireland. For current intake updates, see our news page or our upcoming events. If you're flying to Ireland for September 2026 and want a clean handover, talk to a TMC counsellor.