Ireland Work Visa
Living and working in Ireland continues to be a popular option for those who wish to start a new life overseas. Because of strong economic conditions and a relatively straightforward immigration structure, immigration to Ireland has increased dramatically over the last decade. Ireland offers a range of work visas from short term working holiday maker visas designed for those who wish to enter Ireland as a tourist but supplement their income, through to longer term Irish work permits and Irish Green cards.
Start your Free Visa Assessment
With Global Visas, you can be sure that your Irish visa application is in safe hands. Whether you want to live and work in Ireland for a short period or you are looking to relocate to Ireland on a permanent basis, visit the online assessment area today to set your application in motion.
The assessment allows you to input your detail in order to find out the ideal Irish Visa for your needs. Global Visas has constructed free assessment tools for each of our key areas of expertise.
Irish Work Permit
Irish work permits are granted for an initial period of two years and are based primarily upon the candidate having a guaranteed offer of employment from an Irish company. In Ireland, work permit applications are not specifically intended as a route to permanent immigration and are issued for the specified employer only, allowing the candidate to work in the pre-arranged position. A candidate may change either their employer or their job after a minimum period of one year, however, to do so a separate work permit application must be submitted.
A work permit for Ireland is designed with the employer in mind, allowing them to source skilled migration from overseas, where a position cannot be filled from within the domestic labour market. However, a work permit may lead to permanent residency in Ireland where a candidate is living and working in Ireland for five years or more. The two-year duration of the work permit may be extended by 3 years if the job is still in place and beyond this period a candidate may remain in Ireland permanently and ultimately, apply for Irish citizenship.
Irish Work Permit – Eligibility
As with US work permits and work permits in many other destinations, the basic requirement of a work permit, without which an application cannot be submitted is that the candidate must be sponsored by an Irish company and must be offered a full time position. The position will normally offer a minimum of €30,000 p.a. and in most cases labour market testing will be required to justify employing an overseas national. Work permits place responsibilities with both the employer and the employee to ensure than both parties genuinely meet the requirements of the position. The candidate must have the relevant qualifications and/or experience whilst the position must offer the same remuneration, conditions and benefits which an Irish citizen or permanent resident would receive in the same post. As a long term Irish immigration service with the potential to lead to permanent residency, a candidate’s spouse and/or dependents may join them in Ireland for the same duration and may work in Ireland subject to obtaining their own work authorisation.
Intra Company Transfers (ICTs)
Irish Intra Company Transfers, like the US L1 visa, are designed to help indigenous companies to bring employees from overseas branches or subsidiaries to work in Ireland. Such transfers are carried out based on a specific role or position, or on the need for an overseas employee to undergo specific onsite training. Unlike other Irish work permits, ICTs will not lead to permanent residency and candidates will be obliged to return to their country of residence when their visa expires. Although the initial two-year duration may be extended to five years where necessary, this time will not count towards permanent Irish residency and candidates must return home at the end of the grant of leave.
Irish ICT – Eligibility Requirements
ICTs are issued for up to two years, with the possibility of a three-year extension where it can be shown that this is necessary. This duration applies only where an ICT is being used for a senior member of staff with a salary of at least €40,000 pa. Such candidates must have been working with the company for at least 12 months and must have direct and specialist knowledge of the company. Where an ICT is issued for training, the maximum duration is one year.
Irish Green Card
Irish green cards may lead to permanent residency, but it is important to understand that unlike the US green card, the Irish immigration service of the same name does not grant permanent residency straight away. In Ireland, green card applications function more like work permits requiring an offer of employment. The key difference between the two us that job offers must be in shortage sectors, meaning they do not have to undergo labour market training. The key advantage over a work permit is that permanent residency may be applied for after two, rather than five years.
Applying for an Irish Green Card
Irish green cards are issued for two years to begin with, and may be granted in one of two streams based mainly on the salary being offered. For job offers which exceed €60,000 p.a. any occupation is eligible, however, for salaries between €30,000 and €59,999 a green card will only be issued where a candidate is entering a profession which is regarded as strategically important. These currently include finance, healthcare, IT, engineering, and construction. Applicants may be joined by their immediate family members who will be eligible to work in Ireland if they apply for their own work authorisation.
Irish Working Holiday Visa
Irish working holiday visas are included under the Irish work visas section, although their primary purpose is as a visa for tourism. The working holiday maker visa is deigned for those who wish to visit Ireland for an extended period and to spend some of their time working in Ireland to supplement their income. The working portion of the holiday must not constitute the main reason for the trip and candidates must not work for more than 30 hours per week or for the same employer for more than three months. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and unlike some of the work visa categories outlined above, a working holiday visa application will not lead to permanent residency or the opportunity to switch into a long-term Irish immigration service.
Candidates must be able to finance their entire trip and should not base their ability to do so on projected earnings during their stay. A candidate must be able to meet this requirement at the beginning of their application.
With one of the largest and most comprehensive teams of immigration lawyers and migration consultants available, Global Visas are committed to obtaining the right visa for your needs. Just visit the online assessment area today to get started on your Irish work visa application. Find out further information on our Ireland Tourist Visa page.
