CHANGES TO INTERIM LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROGRAMMES (ILEP) AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW ‘TRUSTED IRELAND’ QUALITY MARK FOR STUDENT IMMIGRATION PURPOSES
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has published updated criteria for programmes to be included on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), on 21st March 2025.
A series of reforms on the student immigration system for Non-EEA students were implemented in 2015 in line with the ‘Reform of the International Education Sector and Student Immigration System’ policy statement.
The ILEP was introduced as a more restrictive list of education programmes eligible for student immigration purposes, used as a reference point for ISD, in considering visa and residency applications from non-EEA applicants wishing to study on a full-time basis in Ireland. The inclusion of programmes in the ILEP enables providers to recruit non-EEA students to study full-time in Ireland.
The ILEP was developed as an interim measure and will shortly be superseded by the International Education Mark (IEM), which launched in 2024. The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) will award a ‘TrustEd Ireland Quality Mark’ to higher education and English language providers who demonstrate that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international students.
Once the ‘TrustEd Ireland’ scheme is fully implemented, the ILEP will cease to operate. Once the ILEP is discontinued, only education providers granted authorisation to use the ‘TrustEd Ireland’ mark will be eligible to recruit students from outside the EEA to their educational programmes.
Where a provider has programmes listed in the ILEP and remains in compliance with ILEP criteria, it may continue to recruit non-EEA nationals until the ILEP ceases operation.
The final ILEP update will be published in June 2025, after which point there will be no further additions to the list.
The ILEP will then be gradually phased out in line with the implementation of the ‘TrustEd Ireland’ scheme.
Study Visas and Stamp 2 immigration permissions will then only be granted for participation in a course offered by a provider with authorisation to use the ‘TrustEd Ireland’ mark.
More information on the updated ILEP criteria is available here.
More information regarding the ‘TrustEd Ireland’ quality mark can be found here.
Berkeley Solicitors are available to provide advice in respect of all matters relating to the student visa process.
This blog article has been prepared on the basis of current immigration law and policy, which is subject to change. Please keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page where articles relating to updates and changes in immigration law and policy are regularly posted.
