Post Study Work Visa Ireland: How to Obtain Ireland Work Permit after Study in 2026?

Before we discuss the details of post study work visa Ireland, let us understand why do international students prefer working here. Here are the top reasons -

1. Home to top companies: A number of Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Ireland, like Google, Apple, Johnson Controls, Facebook and Microsoft.’ Apart from this due to the well-structured work landscape in Ireland, the country has become the hub for multiple businesses to flourish.
2. Affordable cost of living: The cost of living is affordable here which is one of the reasons why international students are applying for a post-study work visa in Ireland.
3. No language barrier: When international students apply to study in any university in Ireland, they need to pass an English proficiency test. With the most common language being used around the world, non-EU students will not find it difficult to get their way around this country.
4. Fewer unemployment rates: Another reason why non-EU students opt for an Ireland work permit after studies is due to its low unemployment rates of less than 5%.

Read: Post Study Job in Ireland Opportunities for International Students

Now that you’ve decided to build your career in Ireland, you will have to apply for the third-level graduate scheme.  

A Third-Level Graduate Scheme allows international students who have completed their Irish degree to stay in Ireland in order to apply for employment or a work permit/ green card/ Ireland PSW.

The Ireland post-study work visa duration for this scheme is 2 years for postgraduate degree holders and 3-4 years for undergraduate degree holders.

In order to be eligible for this scheme, students must meet the following conditions:

• Should have the current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and updated immigration registration card
• Should apply for the Third-level graduate scheme 6 months in advance, once they are notified by the institution that they have received the award
• Immigration permission should not exceed the seven-year limit
• Should have a good record when staying in Ireland
• Might have to get a letter from the institution stating that the award has been received for the course enrollment
• Adhere to all the laws of the state

Students are granted this extension to post study visa in Ireland for the purpose of finding suitable employment. After the period is over, students can apply for a Work Permit. Let us see what are the types of work permits in Ireland -

There are multiple types of post graduate work permit in Ireland. For international students these are ones you need to apply for:

• Critical skills employment permit
• General employment permit
• Internship employment permit

Read: Cost of Studying in Ireland

Let’s explore them in detail.  

The critical skills employment permit is provided so that talented individuals can contribute to certain sectors in Ireland that lack enough human resources. The permit was previously known as the green card and costs 1000 EUR/ INR 79,778.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employer should be registered in Ireland. 
• Applicant must have a confirmed two-year job offer or stay in your initial company for atleast 12-month period. 
• Job profiles should have a minimum base remuneration of 32,000 EUR/INR 25,52,868 per year and the applicant must possesses a relevant qualification at least at a bachelor’s degree 

The Document Requirements Include: 

• A passport copy with signature, picture, and personal information. 
• Passport-size photograph as per the photograph requirements in Ireland. 
• Copy of your work contract. 
• Copy of the immigration stamp. 
• A contact person information. 
• Relevant Licence number/Pin/and Registration number of the company as given by the Government Ministers or regulatory bodies in Ireland. 
• Copy of letter of support by Enterprise Ireland or IDA, if required. 
• Employer details, such as company’s registration number, name, address, and certificates from authorities. 
• Employment detailsl like job duties, salary, tenure, etc. 

Read: Part-time Work for Students in Ireland

With this type of permit, international students will be eligible to apply for any kind of work profile unless a job is found to be on the ineligible list for employee permits. The student can work on a 12 month employment contract. This permit is initially granted for 2 years, which can be further renewed upto next 3 years. Then post 5 years an individual can apply for ISD for long-term residency in Ireland. The permit costs 1000 EUR/ INR 79,778 for 6-24 months and 500 EUR/ INR 39,889 for 6 or less months. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Ensure the employment type is not present in the ineligible list for employee permits
• Details of qualifications or experience needs to be shared for that employmentas per Labour Market’s need test
• Applicants must have a minimum yearly salary of 30,000 EUR/ INR 23,93,314 (27,000 EUR/ INR 21,53,983 for non-EEA students graduating last 12 months.)

Document Requirements Include:

• A passport copy with signature, picture, and personal information. 
• Passport-size photograph as per the photograph requirements in Ireland. 
• Copy of your work contract. 
• Copy of the immigration stamp. 
• A contact person information. 
• Relevant License number/Pin/and Registration number of the company as given by the Government Ministers or regulatory bodies in Ireland. 
• Copy of letter of support by Enterprise Ireland or IDA, if required. 
• Employer details, such as company’s registration number, name, address, and certificates from authorities. 
• Employment detailsl like job duties, salary, tenure, etc. 

Suggested: PR In Ireland

An internship employment permit can be applied by full time students studying in an Irish institute. With this permit, students will be able to apply and work for a company to build their work experience by getting Ireland work permit after masters. If the permit is up to six months: it costs 500 EUR/ INR 39,889 and 1000 EUR/ INR 79,778 for a permit of 6 to 12 months. Ireland internship visa can only be issued for a period of 12 months and are non-renewable. 

Post Study Work Visa Ireland Eligibility Criteria:

• The employment should be present on the Critical Skills Employment/Occupations List.
• The remuneration must be national minimum wage or higher.
• The course of study must be wholly/substantially concerned with the skills shortages that are identified on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
• The employment should contribute to enhancing the course being learnt.
• Once the internship is completed, students need to leave that state and are further expected to return to the institute they are enrolled in to complete their education courses.

Read: Reasons for Ireland Student Visa Rejection

Now that you know the main types of work permits, let us take a look at the the application process. 

In order to apply for a work permit in Ireland after masters or bachelors, applicants must first decide the type of work permit they wish to apply for. Once the applicant decides on the work permit they will be applying for, the next step is to fill out the application form. The form can be filled up online.

Applicants need to fill out the work permit application form:

• Personal Information
• Registration details
• Employment details
• Remuneration details
• Foreign Nationality details

Read: Why Study in Ireland

Next, they must submit the following documents to study and work Ireland. 

Applicants are required to upload and attach certain documents with the application form. The documents you may require are:

• Valid Passport
• Passport-size pictures
• Signed Copy of the contract between the applicant and employer along with employment details
• Contact Details
• Registration Details
• Employer Details
• Employment details
• Copy of the letter of support by Enterprise Ireland or IDA of needed

Read: Requirements for Ireland Student Visa

We hope that now you have clarity about the post study work visa and permit in Ireland. Ireland is not just the preferred destination for education but also for building a great career. Therefore, choosing to stay back for a post study job in Ireland can be a good choice for international students. With the information listed above, ensure all the requirements are checked for a smooth, hassle-free stay in Ireland.

However, in the process, if you get confused or need end-to-end guidance, get in  touch with our counsellors by subscribing to Ashiraj Premium. 

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