Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
183. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of international students studying here during 2010 and 2013; the number of those students from India, China and the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11389/14]
View answerInternational students studying in the State comprise both EEA and non-EEA nationals. There are no statistics available to my Department with regard to EEA nationals as by virtue of EU Freedom of Movement rights such persons are not required to register for permission to remain in the State.
Non-EEA nationals whose course of study exceeds 3 months are required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). There are currently approximately 34,800 non-EEA national students with permission to remain in the State. The corresponding figure for 2010 was approximately 32,900.
In relation to the country/region specific statistics requested by the Deputy records indicate that there are at present approximately 2,150 students from India registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, 5,300 from China and 2,680 from the Middle East (includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman and Qatar). The corresponding figures for 2010 were approximately 2,500, 8,100 and 800 respectively.
The Deputy may also wish to note that in 2013, study visa applications from India increased from 662 for 2012 to 1,887 in 2013, of which 1,334 were approved. The comparative number of study visa approvals for India in 2012 was 550. This represents a 142% increase in the number of study visas granted to Indian students. India has been identified as a key development market and the strong increase in the levels of applications made and the number of approvals recorded in 2013 is very encouraging.
In addition study visa applications and visa approvals from China increased in 2013 when compared to 2012. Overall the total number of study visa approvals from China increased by 9% to 1,392 in 2013 with an overall visa approval rate of 92%.
