Work visas for Ireland
There are a lot of job opportunities for professionals in Ireland. As it is a member of the European Union, those who hold citizenship in other EU countries don't need a special visa to work in Ireland. However, if you are coming from outside of Europe, you will need to obtain a visa to be able to work in Ireland.
Types of work visas for Ireland
There are a few different work visa options available to you depending on your specific circumstances. It depends on where in the world you are a citizen and what you plan on doing in Ireland.
European Union and European Economic Area citizens
Those citizens for the European Economic Area and the EU do not have to get any work permit or visa to work in Ireland. You do not even need to have a job offer when you arrive in the country. However, you will have three months to get a job or to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any of your dependents.
The countries currently in the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Countries that are covered as part of the European Economic Area are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. While Switzerland is not part of either of these groups, its citizens get the same allowances due to being a part of the single market.
While Brexit is still ongoing, it is uncertain as to what that will mean in terms of the freedom of movement of UK citizens to other countries in Europe.
Non-EU and EEA citizens
For those who do not fall into the above requirements, there are a few different types of permits and visas that you can look into acquiring.
Spouse/Partner/Dependent Permit in Ireland
You can potentially obtain this permit if you are the spouse, civil partner, recognised partner or under 18 years old dependent of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder. There are not many restrictions on this visa type, but you have to be legally residing in the country to apply for it. There is no initial application fee and the time length of the permit is dependent on that of your partners Critical Skills Employment Permit.
You can work at an Irish company but not if your employment means there are more foreign nationals working there than EEA nationals. This work has to be for at least 10 hours each week and remuneration is at least the Irish minimum wage.
Reactivation Permit in Ireland
This permit is meant for those people who previously had an employment permit and dropped out of the system or were suffering from some form of workplace exploitation. You have to be unemployed, a previous employment permit holder, have a job offer that isn't a domestic setting job, have a Stamp 1 and a letter from the Department of Justice and Inequality. There are no restrictions on job type or salary.
Working Holiday Visa for Ireland
This is a visa for people between the ages of 18 and 30 who are planning to travel to Ireland for up to 12 months and need to get some form of employment to help finance the trip. Those citizens eligible to apply are from Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
You can apply for this visa at the Irish embassy or consulate in your home nation. There may be some additional requirements depending on your home country. Canadians can apply for this visa and stay for up to 24 months and can be between 18 and 35 years old.
Other types of permits for Ireland
There are five additional niche work permits available. The contract for services permit allows non-EEA citizens to keep working outside of Ireland but come to the country for a short time to work on a new player's contract.
An intra-company transfer permit is suitable for employees of multinational companies to come to an Irish branch. They need to be working at the company for over six months and earn at least €40,000 annually or have worked for a single month and earn at least €30,000 as a trainee.
An internship permit allows students from non-EEA countries that are part of non-Irish schools to go on a work internship in Ireland.
A sports and cultural permit offers employment in Ireland if they cultivate and develop sports or artistic areas.
An exchange agreement permit is for those taking part in an international reciprocal agreement, like the Fulbright Program.
