First Month in Ireland: A Checklist for Nepali Students

In your first month in Ireland, the legal priority is registering for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP). After that, get a SIM, a bank account, a PPS number and a GP. Here is the checklist in the order most Nepali students tackle it, starting before you leave Kathmandu.

Before you fly from Nepal

• Passport, Irish visa, offer letter, fee receipt, insurance and proof of funds in your hand luggage; immigration at Tribhuvan International Airport may also ask to see your visa and offer letter
• Temporary or permanent accommodation confirmed, with the address written down
• Some euro in cash (within Nepal Rastra Bank's limits for travellers) or a card that works abroad for the first days
• Copies of key documents on paper and in cloud storage, including academic certificates and your citizenship certificate
• Any regular medicines with a prescription in English, and familiar spices if you like, checking Irish customs rules on food

Week 1: arrive, register with your college, get connected

1. 1Pass immigration at the airport. The officer gives you a date by which to register.
2. 2Get an Irish SIM card; prepaid plans from the main networks are cheap and easy.
3. 3Attend orientation and register as a student. You need the student letter for most other steps.
4. 4Get a Student Leap Card in Dublin, or check local transport options elsewhere.

Weeks 1 to 3: register for your IRP

Non-EU students must register with Immigration Service Delivery for an IRP. Book as early as possible, because appointments are limited around the start of term. Bring your passport, a college letter confirming full-time enrolment, evidence of medical insurance, evidence of funds and the registration fee. Your IRP card shows Stamp 2.

Weeks 2 to 4: bank, PPSN and GP

• Open a bank account; traditional and app-based banks are both common, and you need ID and proof of address
• Apply for a PPS number through MyWelfare once you have an address, especially if you plan to work
• Register with a GP (family doctor) near you or with your college health service
• Join student societies, including any Nepali or South Asian society, and connect with the wider Nepali community in Ireland

Avoid rental scams

Rental scams targeting new international students are a serious problem in Ireland. Scammers advertise rooms that do not exist and ask for a deposit before a viewing.

Worked example: first-month costs

Arrive with access to roughly EUR 2,500 to 4,000 for your first month (very roughly NPR 4 to 6 lakh at around NPR 155 per euro), depending on your city, and more if you are moving straight into a Dublin lease. Arrange how your family will send money from Nepal before you leave, as the bank paperwork takes time.

Your first-month checklist at a glance

City-specific tips

• Dublin: get a Student Leap Card early; IRP appointments and rooms are in highest demand here
• Cork: most students walk; a bike helps, and areas near UCC and MTU fill first
• Galway: rooms near the centre and campus go fast at the start of term; check bus routes for options further out
• Limerick: on-campus life is busy, and buses connect the university with the city centre

Common mistakes in the first month

1. 1Missing the IRP registration deadline given at the airport.
2. 2Paying a deposit online for a room that does not exist.
3. 3Delaying the PPSN application and paying emergency tax on the first pay cheques.
4. 4Not registering with a GP until you are already ill.
5. 5Isolating yourself. Joining one society in the first fortnight makes a big difference.

Who to contact for help

Your university's international office is the first stop for immigration, accommodation and welfare questions. Student unions advise on housing and rights, and Citizens Information gives free, independent guidance on public services. Nepali community groups are often a good source of housing and job leads, but verify any offer independently.

Looking after yourself

The first month can be tiring and lonely. Short winter daylight, a new academic style and distance from family affect many Nepali students, especially around Dashain and Tihar. Ireland's time zone is several hours behind Nepal, so agree regular call times with family. If you plan to fly home in a holiday, IRP holders no longer need a separate re-entry visa, but check the current ISD rules and carry a valid passport and IRP. Keep a routine and use your college's free, confidential counselling service if you feel low. Irish programmes also put weight on independent reading, referencing and continuous assessment, and plagiarism rules are strictly enforced, so attend academic writing workshops early. Ireland's weather is mild but changeable, so a waterproof jacket matters more than a heavy coat.

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