Post Study Work Permit in Ireland for International Students

The Irish Post-study work permit is a boon disguised as a document for international students. This permit allows you to work in Ireland post-completion of your studies in Ireland. Since higher education in Ireland is accredited with being in the top ranking levels on the global scale, working opportunities in Ireland are a plus point for international students.

Many international students file for one of the three types of post-study work visas in Ireland in order to continue living and working there after they have finished their studies. The three types of post-study work visas are:

• Critical Skills Employment Permit
• General Skills Employment Permit
• Internship Employment Permit

The post-study work permit allows you to get on the same footing as Irish nationals when it comes to applying in the employment sector. Since the application process for a post-study work visa is online, it makes the process a bit less of a hassle. Although, the necessary documentation required is quite lengthy.

This article from Gyanberry will give you all the information you need to get started if you’ve recently graduated from an Irish institution and are considering applying for a post-study work permit in Ireland.

Overview: Post-Study Work Permit in Ireland for International Students

Why you should apply for a Post Study Work Permit in Ireland?

From being the one-stop destination for top-notch multinational companies and breweries, Ireland has it all. Working in Ireland has the ideal conditions that one desires to have in a job. Below are some top reasons you should apply for a post-study work permit in Ireland.

• Global Companies: A handful of Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Apple, Johnson Controls, Facebook, and Microsoft, have headquarters in Ireland. In addition, Ireland’s well-organized workplace environment has helped the nation grow into a hub for numerous companies.
• Affordable Cost of Living: Living expenses are reasonable, which is one of the causes for which foreign students are applying for post-study work visas in Ireland.
• English Speaking: Language not a barrier: International students must complete an English proficiency test before applying to any Irish university. Non-EU pupils won’t have any trouble navigating this nation because English is the most widely spoken language in the world.
• Less unemployment: Ireland’s low unemployment rate of less than 5% is another reason why non-EU students choose to apply for an Irish work visa after graduation.
• It’s Ireland!: With its picturesque landscapes, excellent brewery, and colorful culture, a trip down the lanes of Ireland is just what you need to clear your mind, relax and enjoy the Irish beauty.

Benefits of Post-Study Work Permit in Ireland

As mentioned, you can remain and work in Ireland after earning your degree. This makes it easier to obtain employment and launch a career in Ireland. While Indian students must meet specific requirements for both part-time employment during their studies and a full-time job after graduation, EU students may not need a permit to work in Ireland. The benefit of having a post-study work permit in Ireland is that you can decide whether to find employment there and learn more about the working culture.

• A Post Study Work Permit in Ireland is the first step in getting Permanent Residency (PR) in Ireland. You will be able to work in Ireland once you have your Post Study Work Permit, and after five years of employment and abode, you will be qualified to file for Permanent Residency.
• You can receive the same treatment when applying for a job as an Irish citizen once you have applied for a post-study work permit. You will have more flexibility when applying for job openings, including those in the public sphere.
• You will have more chances to enhance your linguistic abilities if you stay in Ireland for two more years, not to mention a chance to explore the brewery and landscapes of the Emerald Isle!
• Graduate employment opportunities, internship opportunities, further studies & research opportunities are plentiful if you have a post-study work visa! Moreover, the chances of securing a critical skill job go up, which automatically puts you on a higher pedestal than others.

Third-Level Graduate Scheme

A Third-Level Graduate Scheme enables international students who have completed their Irish degree to remain in Ireland and seek work or a work permit/green card/Ireland PSW. It is referred to in Ireland’s “stay-back visa” for foreign students. This scheme’s post-study employment visa duration in Ireland is two years for postgraduate degree recipients and 1 year for undergraduate degree holders. This program enables legally resident non-EEA students who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognized Irish awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of time and work full-time without the need for additional authorization. The maximum time period allowed under this scheme is

• Level 8 (e.g. Honours Degree) – A maximum of 12 months
• Level 9/10 (Master’s/Ph.D.) – A maximum of 24 months

Students must fulfill the following requirements to be eligible for this scheme:

• Should register for the Third-Level Graduate Scheme with current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an updated immigration registration card 6 months in preparation, once the institution has notified them that they have received the award
• The duration of immigration permission should not surpass seven years.
• When staying in Ireland, you should have a good track record.
• You may need to obtain a letter from the school stating that the award for course enrollment has been received.
• Follow all of the state’s rules and laws existent.

Holders of a Stamp 1G may work up to 40 hours per week and ask for additional authorization to stay in the state under employment permit arrangements. Unlike employment permits, the kinds of work that can be done with Stamp 1G are not restricted to specific employment categories or salary levels. This award is also recognized by some of the top universities in Ireland namely:

• Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) 
• University College, Dublin (UCD)
• Dublin City University (DCU)
• Technological University Dublin (TU)
• Maynooth University
• Munster Technological University (MTU)
• University College Cork (UCC)
• National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
• University of Limerick (UL)
• Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

Types of Post-Study Work Permits in Ireland

After graduation, there are three major types of post-study work permits available to students looking to work in Ireland. These are:

• Critical Skills Employment Permit
• General Employment Permit
• Internship Employment Permit

All these three work permits are discussed in detail below. You can look at the eligibility criteria and benefits offered and accordingly apply for the one that best suits your needs.

Critical Skills Employment Permit

A critical skill visa is given to people who can obtain a job on Ireland’s skill shortage list. 

The permit, formerly known as the green card, costs 1000 EUR. With this permit, you can work and remain in Ireland for two years before applying for permanent residency. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• The employer must be licensed in Ireland. 
• Applicant must have a confirmed two-year job offer or have been with your current business for at least a year. 
• Job profiles should have a minimum base remuneration of 32,000 EUR per year, and the candidate should have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Documents Required:

• Copies of Work Contract & Immigration stamp
• Valid Passport
• Contact person’s personal information
• License number/Pin/Registration number of the business as issued by Government Ministers or regulatory bodies in Ireland. 
• Employment Details
• Employer Details
• If necessary, a copy of the statement of support from Enterprise Ireland or the IDA (Industrial Development Agency)

Note: If you make more than 64,000 EURO in Ireland, you can apply for a critical skill visa regardless of whether your work qualifies.

General Employment Permit

The work permit enables you to work anywhere in the nation as long as it is not on the list of ineligible occupations. It is also critical that the position pay a minimum of €30,000 per year. The student can labor under a 12-month contract. This permit is valid for two years and can be extended for three years. After five years of work and stay in Ireland, you can file for a PR with this permit. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Check that the job type is not on the ineligible list for employee permits.
• Qualifications or experience must be given for that position in accordance with the Labour Market’s need test.
• Applicants must have an annual salary of at least 30,000 EUR and graduate within the last 12 months.

Documents Required:

• Copies of Work Contract & Immigration stamp
• Valid Passport
• Contact person’s personal information
• License number/Pin/Registration number of the business as issued by Government Ministers or regulatory bodies in Ireland. 
• Employment Details
• Employer Details
• If necessary, a copy of the statement of support from Enterprise Ireland or the IDA (Industrial Development Agency)

Internship Employment Permit

Full-time students enrolled in an Irish institute can apply for an internship work permit. With this permit, students can apply for and work for a business to gain work experience by obtaining an Ireland work permit after completing their master’s degree. A permit for up to six months costs 500 EUR, and a pass for six to twelve months costs 1000 EUR. Ireland work visas are only valid for 12 months and are not renewable. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• The job should be on the Critical Skills Employment/Occupations List.
• The salary must be at least the national minimum pay.
• The course of study must be entirely/significantly concerned with the critical skills shortages listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
• Employment should help to improve the subject being studied.
• Once the internship is finished, students must depart the state and return to the institute where they are enrolled to complete their education courses.

Eligibility for Post-Study Work Permit in Ireland for International Students

The following are the standard prerequisites for this kind of permit::

• You must have obtained your degree or term of study from an accredited Irish university.
• You need written confirmation from your educational institution that you’ve finished the course of study.
• You need to hold a valid stamp and two student visas.
• You must have complied with the laws of the state while studying.
• International students can enroll in courses in Ireland for up to 8 years. At the time of registration, you must still have at least two years remaining of the eight years you are allowed.
• Within six months of graduation, you must apply for Stamp 2 student immigration authorization and a current immigration registration card.

*A graduate cannot access the Program on more than two separate occasions.

Note: Due to COVID-19, international students enrolled in second semesters of programs at Irish higher education institutions studying online outside of Ireland are qualified for post-study work rights. The student’s eligibility for graduate school at the third level will not change.

How to Apply for a Post-Study Work Permit in Ireland?

After receiving a master’s or bachelor’s degree, candidates must choose the type of work permit they desire to apply for before beginning the application process. The next stage is to complete the application form once the applicant has chosen the work permit they will be applying for. Because Ireland is a tech-savvy nation, the form is available and can quickly be filled out online. As per the form, the following details are mandatory to fill in:

• Personal Information
• Employment Details
• Foreign Nationality Details
• Visa Registration Details
• Remuneration Details

Along with filling out the basic application form, it is also necessary to get the above-mentioned documents in order too. The documents mentioned below might also be required to be sent in as hard copies and uploaded the soft copy.

Documents Required for a Post-Study Work Permit in Ireland

Certain documents must be uploaded and attached to the application form by the applicant. The documentation that follows shall be needed:

• Valid Passport
• Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card which must be applied for within six months of graduation
• Degree certificate from the relevant institution that they have achieved the award
• Contact Details
• Employer Details
• Employment Details
• Registration Details
• Signed Copy of the contract between the applicant and employer along with employment details
• Copy of the letter of support by Enterprise Ireland or IDA of needed
• Passport sized pictures

Keep this in Mind!

• Students pursuing language and non-degree programs are not eligible for post-study work permits.
• A level 8 award holder may remain in Ireland for a maximum of seven years, whereas a level 9 or level 10 graduate may stay for eight years. This restriction applies to all extensions.
• During the renewal of their second 12-month post-study work visa in Ireland, graduates must show that they have taken the necessary steps to find acceptable graduate-level employment (attending interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies, etc.).
• Graduates are advised to allow enough time to renew their current visa registration; otherwise, if the current allowed period to remain in Ireland has passed, the application will be denied.

Conclusion

We hope this has clarified your understanding of Ireland’s post-study employment visa and permit. Ireland is a top choice not only for education but also for launching a successful job. Therefore, it may be wise for international students to remain behind and work in Ireland after graduation. Ensure all the criteria are met using the information above for a simple, trouble-free stay in Ireland.

However, if you run into any problems or need comprehensive advice,  please schedule a video appointment with our specialists.