The post-study work visa in Ireland is one of the main reasons international students love this destination, as they get a chance to stay and seek a job after completing their program.
Yes, that’s right! After studying in Ireland, your journey doesn’t have to end there: you are eligible to gain work experience to advance your career. Keep reading to find out how! 😉
What is the post-study work permit in Ireland?
A visa that international students can obtain after completing their studies in Ireland and allows them to stay there for a certain duration, depending on the level of the course completed, and work either in a full-time or a part-time job.
Here are the durations:
- If you pursue a regular bachelor’s degree, you can stay for up to 6 months
- If you pursue an Honors bachelor’s degree, you can stay for up to 12 months
- If you earn a Postgraduate diploma/ Master’s degree or higher, you can stay for up to 24 months
What kind of work visa should I apply for?
There are three types of post-study work permits:
#1 General Work Permit
With two years of duration, eligible for renovation to three more, this permit allows you to work in almost any job within the country.
After 5 years, you can apply for long-term residency in Ireland.
The eligibility criteria for a general work permit include having a job offer in Ireland (employment contract for 12 months), experience and skills as per the Labor Market Needs Test ( a test offered by the government) and meet minimum salary requirements of €30,000/year.
#2 Critical Skills Employment Permit
Did you know that Ireland has a list of jobs under a skill shortage? If you have the expertise in those areas, it can be easier for you to get a work visa there: the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
- With this permit, you can apply for a PR within 2 years of work and stay in Ireland, as long as you have a two-year job offer with a minimum annual salary of €32,000 in an occupation that is on the Critical Skills Occupation List
- Or, an annual salary of €64,000 a year in an occupation that is not on the list of ineligible occupations
#3 Internship Employment Permit
If you are a full-time university student outside Europe and would like to go to Ireland to gain work experience, then this is the perfect option for you.
You can get this permit to work for up to 12 months in Ireland (nonrenewable). The job needs to be on the Critical Skills Occupation List and the salary must be at least the minimum wage there ( €11.30/hour).
Usually, to apply for a work permit in Ireland, you would have to pay €500 for permits of six months or less and €1,000 for permits between 6-24 months.
Advantages of the Irish post-study work visa
- Getting work experience in Ireland will make you a competitive candidate to employers in your country.
- Working in Ireland is a first step for obtaining Permanent Residency (PR), usually you would have to work and live there for up to 5 years.
- The more time you spend in Ireland, the greater your chances of meeting new people and building connections will be.
Eligibility of the post-study work visa in Ireland
In order to be eligible to apply for the post-study work visa in Ireland, you should:
- Have successfully graduated from a recognized institution in Ireland;
- Hold a valid stamp 2 student visa;
- Get a written statement from your university stating that you’ve completed your course;
- Keep in mind that you can only study in Ireland for a maximum period of 8 years. So, when you apply for the post-study work visa, you should have at least two years left out of the permitted eight years.
When to apply for a post-study work visa in Ireland?
Keep in mind that you need to start planning early on if you want to stay and work after graduation. You will need to apply for your post study work visa before your student visa expires.
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