Do I still have to show a bank statement of around ten lakhs for my student visa to Ireland even though my accommodation is taken care of by my sister who is already there?
Yes, you still need to show financial proof, even with free accommodation from your sister. Irish immigration requires non-EU students to prove access to a minimum of 10,000 euros, roughly 9 to 10 lakh rupees, per year for living costs, since officers apply standardized thresholds regardless of housing.
Your sister's free accommodation does not exempt you from Ireland's financial requirement for your student visa. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service applies a fixed threshold to every non-EU applicant, and it assumes you will still incur day-to-day living costs even when rent is not one of them.
What You Must Show
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | Minimum 10,000 euros per academic year (roughly 9 to 10 lakh rupees) |
| What It Covers | Food, utility bills, books, transport, and other general costs, not just rent |
| Proof Duration | 6 months of transparent bank statements |
| Accepted Sources | Savings accounts, fixed deposits, or an approved education loan |
| Tuition | Paid in full, or funds shown to cover both tuition and living costs |
Can Your Sister Sponsor You Instead?
- She can act as a financial sponsor if she has the legal status and financial capacity to support you.
- She would need to provide her own bank statements and an affidavit of support.
- She would also need to show proof of her legal residence and income in Ireland.
- INIS traditionally looks most closely at immediate parents or guardians, or an education loan, as primary proof.
My Advice
Lean on parental savings or an education loan as your primary proof of funds, and treat your sister's support as a helpful backup rather than your main financial evidence. Start gathering six months of clean bank statements now so there are no gaps when you file your visa application.
Cash income, business income or no ITR?
See whether your funds and documents will pass the Irish visa check.
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