Can international students work in Ireland?

Yes, international students can work in Ireland with their existing student visa. International students in a full-time study course of at least one year (on a course leading to a qualification recognized by the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science) do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.

 

There are two conditions for students: if they hold a valid immigration stamp 2, they will be permitted to work 40 hours per week only during June, July, August, and September. At other times, students holding an Immigration Permission Stamp 2 will be limited to working 20 hours per week.

 

Students who are allowed to work in Ireland

Students can also work casually if they are degree program students registered with:

 

• GNIB
• Enrolled in a program recognized by the Minister for Education & Skills
• Attending a full-time program above NFQ Level 7
• Undertaking a minimum 15day time study
• Getting tuition at 8 am and 6 pm per week for a minimum of 25 weeks per annum
• Program of at least one year duration

 

Condition to work in Ireland as an International student

If an International student meets all the conditions and wishes to work in Ireland, then:

 

• Must obtain Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number)
• Students must comply with the Universal Social Contribution (USC), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI), employment laws, and taxation requirements

 

Post-study Pathways for International Students

International students can stay back in the country after they have completed their studies. This pathway exists mainly for non-EU residents to remain in the country and look for jobs and apply for work permit. The post-study work visa for a non-EU or EEA country is a third-level graduate scheme permit.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Third-Level Graduate Scheme Permission

Below given are the eligibility criteria to apply for Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission:

 

• Submit a degree certificate
• Stamp 2 in the student immigration permission
• Must not have outdo the 7 year limit on their permission
• Graduate will not access the Program on more than two separate occasions

 

International students can stay in the country

Non-EU graduates with the post-study work visa or Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission are allowed to look for employment in Ireland for a specific period:

Level of Study	Award granted	No: of years for Post Study Work Visa in Ireland
Level 7	Bachelor’s Degree	6 months
Level 8	Honours Degree	1 year
Level 9	PG Diploma/Master’s Degree	2 years
Level 10	Doctoral Degree	2 years

 

Once an employer hires a student, the student can apply for an Ireland work visa that the employer will issue according to their skill category. Usually, the students are issued either a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) or a General Employment Permit.

 

 Once the students have obtained a post-study work permit, they are allowed to work and stay in Ireland, and after five years the students can apply for Ireland PR.

 

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