How to Obtain a Work Visa in Ireland

With its gorgeous landscape, lively music culture, growing food and drink scene, rich history, and friendly people, Ireland is a popular place for expats moving abroad.

Not only that, but the Emerald Isle is enjoying a thriving economy. Its gross domestic product is the fourth highest in the world on a per capita basis. It also boasts a booming technology sector. Technology — especially medical technology, as Ireland is home to 18 of the top 25 global medtech firms — and pharmaceutical companies are on the rise, and they are always looking for new talent. Other strong industries include software engineering, information technology, health care, hospitality, and education.

This is all good news for foreigners looking to work in Ireland. But how do you find work and move to Ireland? We will walk you through the steps you need to take to meet Ireland’s work visa requirements and get all the legal documents you need to make this exciting move.

Relocate, an independent marketplace for global migration, can also help connect you to qualified Advisors in Ireland who can answer any questions you might have about working and living there as a foreigner.

Who Needs an Ireland Work Visa?

Many in Europe can move to Ireland with ease, regardless of the reason.

This includes residents of countries in the European Union (EU), which consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

European Economic Area (EEA) residents — which consists of EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway — and citizens of Switzerland also have easy access to Ireland.

Ireland also has a Common Travel Area arrangement with the countries of the United Kingdom, which allows residents of the U.K. and Ireland the right to travel freely and work without visas.

However, non-EU and non-EEA nationals or anyone who is not from one of the above countries must apply for a work visa.

Ireland’s Work Visa Types

There are several types of work visas offered to foreigners in Ireland through the Department of Enterprise, Trades and Employment. If you are not sure which work visa is best for your situation, connect with qualified Irish Immigration Advisors on Relocate to guide you through the process.

Here are some of the Irish work permits and eligibility requirements for consideration:

How to Get an Ireland Work Visa

When applying for an Ireland work visa, here is what you can expect for most situations. If you’re still unsure of the application process, connect with highly-qualified Irish Immigration lawyers on Relocate who can point you in the right direction.

Find a Job in Ireland

While it would be great to be able to apply for a Irish work visa after applying for a job, the reality is that Ireland’s work visas for foreigners are job-offer based, meaning you will need to be hired before you can apply for a work visa or get permission to stay in the country. To even get immigration permission, therefore, you will need to have an employment contract or written job offer in hand.

For example, if you’re a software developer wanting to work in Ireland, an Irish software development firm will need to extend a job offer to you first. Until then, you must wait to apply for a work visa.

Apply for Immigration Permission to Work

Congrats! You have finally received a job offer. Now, you can apply for immigration permission to work in Ireland if you plan to stay in the country for longer than three months. This means submitting your online application form through the Department of Enterprise, Trades and Employment. You cannot work in the country without this permission.

Apply for a Work Visa

After receiving permission to work in Ireland, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa or “D” visa online. It is also a good idea to submit your Irish visa application at least three months before traveling abroad to allow for enough processing time. Your visa fee will vary based on the type you are applying for, as discussed above.

If you would like help with the online visa application, feel free to reach out an expert immigration lawyer on Relocate. They can guide you through the process and answer any other question you may have.

Prepare Your Documents for Your Move

Before the final move, it is a good idea to prepare for your mandatory stop at border control, where an immigration officer will request to see your legal documentation. At this point, immigration services and the Department of Justice will require you to show your passport, employment contract, and other documents.

Apply for Permission to Stay in Ireland

Just because you have a job in Ireland does not automatically give you permission to stay in the country. Once you enter Ireland, you will need to apply for permission to stay in the country. You will also need to register with immigration before the date stamped on your passport by the immigration officer you spoke with at the border. It is important to note that if you want to live in Dublin, you will need to register for your Irish residence permit through an INIS office in that city.

Learn More and Get Help With Your Ireland Work Visa

Planning a move abroad for work is an exciting professional step to take and could bring your career to a whole new level. But figuring out the necessary visa and immigration requirements in Ireland can be a lot to research.

As an independent marketplace for global migration, Relocate is here to ease the burdens of migration. Browse through qualified Immigration Advisors in Ireland and dig deeper into specific issues to uncover answers to your questions and make informed decisions about relocating.