Re-Entry VISA?

BOMBASTIC

Hello people!

This is my first thread here and i was hoping you guys would help me out!

I first came to Dublin on a student visa and had about a month to get my GNIB. I got my GNIB in October2009 and it is valid through October 2010.
I'm back home now and my question is that when i go back to Dublin (going back in September 2010) will i need a re entry visa or will my unexpired GNIB do it for me?

I would really appreciate your feedback

Thanks..

Cavehill Red

Don't understand what you mean by 'got my GNIB'? The GNIB is the national immigration bureau, surely?
As for returning on your current student visa, I would have thought it rather depends on whether you're returning to attend full time studies covered by the student visa scheme or not.
If so, return, register at college, then take your registration to GNIB and apply for visa extension.
If not, then I would imagine that you could be turned away, or failing that, be refused the right to remain when your visa expires.

BOMBASTIC

i meant the GNIB card.

Yeah I'm gonna attend full time.. so i would go back get papers from college that im registered this year too and go to the GNIB for a visa extension and a renewal of the GNIB card?

sorry if im sounding odd but the whole thing is just making me

Cavehill Red

If you're a bona-fide student then that is legitimate grounds for a visa extension. There aren't guarantees, but all things being equal, if they've given you a student visa before, and you're studying legitimately on a qualifying course, then there probably won't be a difficulty.
As your entitlement to come to Ireland hasn't yet expired, in your position I would suggest you return before it does, register in your college, and take your registration documentation to the GNIB and seek a visa renewal.
Often student visas like work visas can be offered for longer periods than GNIB card, which generally must be renewed annually. You haven't clarified if your actual visa (as opposed to GNIB card) has expired or not, or if it runs over a longer period than a year.
It is the visa that will define your right to remain in Ireland (or even enter) rather than the GNIB card.

BOMBASTIC

Thanks a lot for your help

my visa expires on the 31st of October 2010 and im going back in September 2010 .. that would give me plenty of time

Thanks again

Cavehill Red

The only caveat I would offer is that if, for example, your previous visa had covered one course and now you are seeking to pursue a different course (let's say following up a previous Bachelor's degree with a Master's) they could decide not to renew your visa. Technically, you'd be seeking to commence new studies rather than complete existing studies (as would be the case with someone returning for year 2 of a 3 year degree, for example.)
Perhaps you could put your mind at rest by contacting your overseas students office at your college, and your students' union, and seeking their advice by telephone or email? They would likely be the best-informed people to ask.
Since your visa permits you to be in Ireland until October, you could return in person and pursue things then. But it does no harm to check first, and the overseas student office at your college are the best-placed people to do that. On the off-chance that you might be refused, it would be better to know now and save yourself a fortune in travel and fees.

BOMBASTIC

I don't think that would be a problem since i will be starting my second year of medicine .. so it would be the same course right?

Cavehill Red

Yup, same course, so same qualification and entitlement ought to apply.
Perhaps you could discuss with the GNIB the possibility of obtaining a multi-year student visa this time? You'll likely still have to renew your GNIB card annually, but at least you won't have to renew the visa every year (unless you quit your course or fail, that is.)

BOMBASTIC

Thanks again for your help