Working in ireland | Benefits of working/Living in Ireland

Working in Ireland

The ultimate reason for many international students to study is Ireland is to find a job. Ireland offers a two-year stay back option for students who pursue their masters. This facilitates an opportunity to find a job and establish a career in Ireland. While EU students may not require a permit to work in Ireland, Indian students have certain conditions for a part time jobs during the course as well as full time jobs after graduation.

Working in Ireland while studies

Part time jobs in Ireland for International students: Students who come to Ireland, especially International students look for part-time jobs after college hours and make use of their time to meet their ends. Ireland is open to part-time jobs for International students as long as the fulfill the below criteria.

Eligibility for part time jobs:

Students who attend a full-time course of at least one year's duration are eligible for part time jobs. The qualification of the course should be at least NFQ level 7 and should be recognized by the Minister for Education and Skills for a stamp 2.

Stamp 2 entitles you to undertake casual part-time work for up to 20 hours per week during term time, and up to 40 hours casual full-time work per week from 15th December to 15th January and during June, July, August and September.

GNIB registration, which is done as soon as you reach Ireland.

Students who meet the above criteria and want to work in Ireland must also possess a Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number). Only those with a valid PPS Number can be paid and the salary will be transferred only to an Irish bank account.

International students also need to comply with the Universal Social Contribution (USC), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI), employment and taxation laws. The minimum wage is usually about €9.15 per hour.

Internship

Internships are available to students enrolled on courses on the Degree Programme where it forms part of their programme. This is subject to the following rules.

The internship should be within 50% of the duration of the programme. For example, a 4 year programme would permit 2 years of work placement.

Internship should be a part of an academic programme and must form an integral part of the programme which contributes to the final award.

Educational facilities must also ensure that the internship is suited to the programme being pursued.

Working in Ireland after studies

European graduates are eligible to work in Ireland after their studies, but for Indian students you have to apply for a work permit depending on your job.

It may be possible to stay in Ireland after you complete your studies for the purpose of seeking employment under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme exists to allow legally resident non-EU third level graduates to remain in Ireland in order to look for employment or apply for a green card/work permit.

Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission

This scheme allows non-EU/EEA students who have graduated from Irish higher education institutions to remain in Ireland for 24 months to seek employment.

Eligibility for the scheme:
- Degree certificate from the relevant institution on or after 1 January 2017 that they have achieved the award.
- Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card which must be applied within six months of graduation.
- Must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on their permission as a non-EEA national student in the State.
- A graduate will not be permitted to access the Programme on more than two separate occasions.
Documents required when you apply for the Third Level Graduate Scheme:
After your results are issued and if you are eligible for the scheme, you need to approach the GNIB office, with the below documents:
- A letter from the university or college you attended indicating you have obtained your examination results and are eligible to graduate
- A valid passport
- GNIB Card
- Pay €300 by credit/debit card

Graduate immigration permission of up to twelve months: Graduates with an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications will be granted a minimum of twelve-month permission to a maximum of seven years' student permission overall.
Graduates with an award at Level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications qualify for the Programme will be granted permission for twelve months initially. This will be renewed for a further period of twelve months (subject to the overall eight year limit) where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that he or she has taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment.
General Employment Permit: Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland issue the General Employment Permits. Based on an offer of employment, the employer or the employee can apply for a permit. Permits are issued to the employee and include a statement of the employee's rights and entitlements.
Generally applications for General Employment Permits must have a minimum annual remuneration of €30,000. Remuneration includes the salary for the job and health insurance. In certain cases, where the student has graduated in the last 12 months applications for jobs with annual pay of €27,000 are considered on an exceptional basis.
STAMP 1A Trainee Accountants Scheme: Students who pursue a course in accountancy such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA and CIPA can apply for a Stamp 1A Trainee Accountant Permission. All trainees holding a Stamp 1A are required to undertake a minimum of three examinations per year and pass at least two of those exams per year and successfully complete two workplace objectives per year.
Non- EEA graduates on Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A who have studied and completed their course with a qualification recognized and granted by an Irish Authority and who have not exceeded the 7-year time limit are allowed to transfer to Stamp 1A Trainee Accountant Permission for the remainder of their time limit. Should the students wish to extend their stay beyond 7 years, then they are required to secure an alternative immigration permit from that of a Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A or Stamp 1A Trainee Accountant Permission.
Critical Skills Employment Permit: The scheme is for the high-skilled non-EEA nationals in specific sectors. The permit is valid for two years. It is available for most occupations with an annual salary of €60,000 or more and is also available for a restricted list of occupations with an annual salary of €30,000 - €59,999.
Employment Scheme for Researchers: The Hosting agreement schemes are exclusive for researchers and they can undertake employment with an accredited research organization in Ireland. The Hosting agreement can be from a couple of months up to 5 years in duration. To apply, the accredited research organization draws up a hosting agreement with the researcher and notifies the Researcher Mobility Office.

Hear from our University Partners

Nilanjana Shihn

Regional Manager South Asia & Africa, TCD

Trinity has been working with GoIreland for over 4 years now and we are very impressed with their work style as well as comprehensive understanding of Ireland as a promising study destination. They have been recruiting good number of high quality students for us every year. However, their key strength is to recruit students for some of our most competitive and niche programmes. GoIreland is undoubtedly one of our most trusted and successful agent partners.

Read Nilanjana Shihn's Story

Mr Dermott Henry

International Education Executive, NUI, Galway

NUI Galway has been working with GoIreland for a number of years now, and they are an integral part of our trusted agent network. GoIreland assists our students along their journey to studying at NUI Galway, from the initial inquiry by prospective students for information on which is the best study program to help them realise their dreams and reach their full potential, right through to the time they depart home to travel to Galway. It is very important to NUI Galway that we work with agencies that offer the best service to our students, and by working with GoIreland we believe students will be supported properly throughout the process. We would have no hesitation in recommending GoIreland to any students wishing to study at NUI Galway.

Read Mr Dermott Henry's Story

Vaidehi Garigapati

India Director, University College Cork

While our association with GoIreland is relatively new, we can confidently say that our partnership with them for our recruitment efforts will be one for the long run. The team is extremely professional and diligent, and we are happy to support their growth plans for India and other markets.

Read Vaidehi Garigapati's Story

Colum Cronin

Senior International Officer, DCU

GoIreland has been a respected partner of Dublin City University for a number of years sending numerous high quality students to study at the institution. Additionally we have always found GoIreland staff to be professional and well trained, and GoIreland has always supported students along their journey from initial application to departing India. At DCU we are happy to consider GoIreland a trusted agent.

Read Colum Cronin's Story

Amanda Noonam

International Recruitment Manager, UL

The University of Limerick (UL) has been working with GoIreland since 2019 and they form part of our trusted Indian Agent Network. UL would have be happy to recommend GoIreland to any Indian student with a desire to study in Ireland. The team of counsellors are very knowledgeable about the Irish education system and the programmes offered at each of the Irish Universities. UL is very pleased with the applications received from GoIreland and have a good working relationship with them.

Read Amanda Noonam's Story

Agnieszka Kasprzak

Regional Recruitment Officer, TUD

My name is Agnieszka Kasprzak. I am a Recruitment Officer for India/South Asia in the International Office of the Technological University Dublin (TUDublin). If you are looking for a professional education advisor I would highly recommend GoIreland. GoIreland has provided an ethical and professional service in their dealings with both students and our University. GoIreland has an extremely strong level of expertise in the Irish education sector and visa process. We have been impressed with the quality of students provided by the agency as well as the academic standards of applicants. Students coming through GoIreland have achieved results surpassing our hopes and most graduated with honours and found a path to their dreams jobs.

Read Agnieszka Kasprzak's Story

Binny Tangri

Country Advisor, Maynooth University

GoIreland team has been fantastic to work with! We have been impressed by their hard work and student focused approach. They have particularly shined in the conversion rate of students from the time an application is received to the arrival of students in Ireland. One of the best things about working with GoIreland team is their caring and ethical approach to working with students supported by their market intelligence. The whole team has always been very warm and welcoming. I would recommend their services to anyone because they are attentive in their dealing with students, kind, and easy to work with!