6 minsA post-study work visa is one way a government can ensure that graduate students contribute to its economy. This is a great advantage for international students because the post-study work permit allows access to the job market when they complete their programme. Getting valuable international work experience right after your course works well for Indian students who want to give their CV a competitive edge. Some of the advantages of Ireland’s post-study work visa for Indian students include:
- You can gain more overseas experience.
- You have better access to employment options after graduation
- Your access to employment opportunities is the same as that of native Irish applicants.
- It is a great way to see if the country has potential as a permanent residence.
What are the types of post-study work permits in Ireland?
Labelled the Third Level Graduate Programme, Ireland's post-study work permit aims to create a legal way for non-EEA graduates who have completed a course in Ireland to continue being in Ireland for a specified period post-graduation.
In Ireland, employment permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The duration of the post-study work permit in Ireland varies depending on your degree. To understand which qualifications are given at each award level, consult the National Framework of Qualifications.
The following are the types of post-study work permits available in Ireland:
General Employment Permit
Earlier called the Work Permit Employment Permit, this permit is mainly used to attract qualified, skilled professionals from other countries to fill skill shortages in Ireland. The major difference between this post-study work permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit is the kind of jobs you can do. More details about this permit:
- You can get this permit for all kinds of employment except those listed in the Ineligible Occupations list, provided you have the skills, qualifications or experience for the job.
- Employment opportunities that fall within the Critical Skills Occupations are also allowed.
- You can apply for the permit, or your employer can do so.
- This permit typically covers two years, and renewal is possible for a further period of three years. After five years, you may be able to apply for permanent residency.
- This permit is only issued if your annual remuneration is at least EUR 34,000, but there are exceptions to this rule for some occupations.
- These permits are only issued if at least half the employees in the employer’s office are EEA residents at the time of application (with some exceptions).
Critical Skills Employment Permit
This permit is for highly skilled individuals. It aims to motivate them to stay and work in Ireland. There are specific occupations covered under this permit. These occupations are deemed important to Ireland’s economic development. This permit aims to attract qualified, competent individuals trained in areas where skilled professionals are scarce. Here are more details about this type of permit:
- The occupations covered by this permit are updated by the Expert Group on Future Skills, so be aware that the list does change.
- The permit covers specific work areas and may be given to professionals in fields such as engineering, ICT, and technology. The Critical Skills Occupations list gives you the list of jobs/ roles covered under this permit.
- When this permit's duration is over, you can apply to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) for permission to reside in Ireland without an employment permit.
- You or your employer can apply for the permit.
- The permit is for job offers with a minimum duration of two years. Job offers with shorter durations are covered by the General Employment permit.
- You must stay with the employer mentioned in your permit application for at least 12 months.
- A minimum remuneration of EUR 38,000 per year is needed for skilled roles. For other occupations, the minimum remuneration is EUR 64,000.
- You must hold a degree or higher qualification that matches the skills profile for the offered occupation.
- Qualification exceptions are allowed for nursing and midwifery.
- The permit is only granted if the employer has at least 50 per cent of EAA nationals on staff. Some exceptions apply.
Internship Employment Permit
This post-study work permit is for international students who study full-time at a third-level institution. The purpose of the permit is to enable you to get work experience. Here are some important details about this permit:
- Either you or your employer can apply for it.
- You must be enrolled in a degree programme or a higher qualification.
- The permit is valid for a maximum period of 12 months. There is no renewal option.
- You may only take up the internship specified in the permit.
- Your work or role must be listed on the Critical Skills Occupations list.
- The internship should be part of the mandatory requirements for completing your course.
- At the end of the internship, you must resume your course.
Irish post-study work permit application process
- Your application for the Irish post-study work permit must be submitted no later than 12 weeks before your employment start date.
- The application fee is EUR 500 for permits of six months or less and EUR 1,500 for permits ranging from six to twelve months. The fee for the Critical Skills Employment permit is EUR 1,000.
- You can apply online via the EPOS system.
- The application is processed based on the employer type.
- You can track your application status online.
- During processing, you may be asked for additional information, which you must provide within 28 days.
- If the permit is refused, you can request a review within 28 days. If it is still not issued, 90 per cent of your fee will be refunded.
Use the employment permit checklist to find out what you need to make your application for an appropriate Ireland post-study work permit.
General eligibility criteria
Apart from the requirements mentioned alongside each post-study work permit type, here are some general eligibility criteria Indian students should fulfil to get their post-study work permit:
- You have a good record as a student in Ireland.
- You have completed a programme included in the list of eligible programmes and have the certificate from the institution.
- You hold a qualification of Level 8 or above awarded by a recognised Irish awarding body.
- You have written notification from the awarding body that you are qualified for the award, and your application for the post-study work permit is dated within six months of this notification.
- You have a valid Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an updated immigration registration card.
- You have applied for the programme a maximum of two times in total, with the second application being after completing a higher-level award.
- You have not exceeded the total time limit for the employment permit allocated for your study level.
Rights and responsibilities when you are on a post-study work permit in Ireland
Rights:
- You can seek graduate-level employment.
- If you hold a Level 8 award, you can receive permits of up to seven years. For holders of Level 9 awards and above, the period for your permit is eight years, including extensions.
- You can re-enter the Third Level Graduate Programme within an eight-year time limit if you have achieved a higher-level award than the previous one.
Responsibilities:
- You must demonstrate that you are law-abiding.
- You must apply within the given time frame and provide all the necessary documents and additional clarifications.
- You must adhere to all the conditions imposed by the permit issued.
Employment opportunities in Ireland
Ireland is a growing economic hub and a preferred destination for Indian students seeking a safe and peaceful location to start their careers. With its high standard of living and most people speaking English, Ireland is a great job location for international students. The service sector has the most job openings in Ireland. Some of the areas where employment opportunities are available include technology, hospitality, and tourism, and there are skill shortages in the following areas:
- Finance
- Engineering
- Health
- Hospitality
- IT
- Food and beverage
Some of the roles that you may be able to find are:
- Energy engineer
- Chemical engineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Healthcare professionals at all levels (Doctors, nurses, radiologists, hospital administrators etc.)
- Chefs
- Hotel managers
- Tourism managers
- Interpreters/ translators
- IT professionals like app developers, software developers, programmers, and Big data analysts
- Business professionals like managers, business intelligence analysts, and marketing professionals
- Finance professionals like accountants, tax professionals, and risk advisors
FAQs
Q: How complex is the application process for an Irish post-study work visa?
A: The process is outlined on government websites (links given in the post above), and you can also apply online, making it easy and hassle-free for you to apply for the appropriate work permit after study.
Q: I have already been in Ireland for a few years. Can I apply for a post-study work permit?
A: It may still be possible if you fulfil the academic award requirements and have not overrun the seven-year limit for non-EEA students in Ireland. Graduates with Level 9 and above awards have an eight-year limit on stay. You can get more details on the Third Level Graduate Programme page. These time limits consider all your time spent in Ireland as a student.
Q: What kind of permit do I need to undertake scientific research in Ireland?
A: If you do research with an accredited research institution, the Hosting Agreement Scheme applies to you. A separate permit is not needed, but you must get this agreement in place alongside your visa processing.
Now you know how to get an Irish post-study work permit and lay the foundation for your career in Ireland as soon as you complete your full-time programme. If you are midway through your course or heading towards completion, this information is needed to plan your first step into a career here. You can apply for permanent residency once your mandatory five years are up or seek employment elsewhere when your post-study work visa runs out.
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