Is There Post Study Work Visa In Ireland

The Irish government offers a Post-Study Work Visa which allows international students to stay in Ireland after they graduate. The goal of the Post-Study Work Visa is to allow more foreign students to travel and work in Ireland instead of going back home. There has been a significant increase in the number of study visas that have been issued over recent years. In the year 2014 8,976 post-study visas were issued across the world. However, not every country or university has been given permission for this visa.

Many people in this economy are looking for a good post study work visa to help further their education and find jobs afterwards. This has been a major issue in the United States as many United States citizens are finding it hard to fund their education while trying to find jobs in the midst of a serious recession. There are several foreign countries that have implemented post study work visas, but it may surprise you which ones they are. It might surprise you even more when you learn how many post study work visas these countries offer and how many people come back to the United States after finding employment through these visas.

The Irish government allows international students who have completed a degree in Ireland to stay and work for up to 12 months after the completion of their studies. It is known as the Post Study Work Visa and while this visa is not available to everybody, many that are eligible will find it attractive.

Is There Post Study Work Visa In Ireland

One of the questions most commonly asked by international students who have finished their study program in Ireland is,

Jessica Richardson, a third year business and marketing student obtaining a masters degree in Ireland, was feeling a little bit confused. After all, she didn’t know whether to look for visa online or to email the Embassy. The IT graduate has gained an employment before leaving her native country. But still she was choked. The job offer was not written on the original letter but verbally given, filled by her employer. The Certificate of Eligibility from the local education board of College of William and Mary had clearly stated that foreign students can work in the US after their study period is completed.

Ireland has a tried history as an immigrant-receiving country, first receiving labour migrants in the nineteenth century who were mainly men. However, this began to change at the beginning of the twentieth century with the onset of the First World War. We look at Ireland’s policies towards immigrants, and how this evolved over time.

International students engaged in full-time study of at least one year’s duration (on a course leading to a qualification which is recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Skills currently do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.

Students holding a valid  immigration stamp 2  permission will be permitted to work 40 hours per week only during the months of June, July, August and September and from 15^th December to 15^th January inclusive.  At all other times students holding Immigration permission Stamp 2 will be limited to working 20 hours per week. The permission to work ceases on the expiry of the students Stamp 2 immigration permission.

Degree programme students can get casual work where they are:

• Registered with GNIB
• Enrolled on a recognised programme leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education & Skills
• Attending a full time programme of education at or above NFQ Level 7
• Undertaking a minimum of 15 hours day time study
• Getting tuition, between the hours of 8am and 6pm per week for a minimum of 25 weeks per annum
• On a programme of at least one year’s duration

International students who meet the above conditions and wish to take up work in Ireland must obtain a Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number). An employer can only pay employees with a PPS number, and funds will usually only be paid to an Irish bank account. Students will also be required to comply with the Universal Social Contribution (USC), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI), employment laws and taxation requirements. 

It is not uncommon to have a trial period before you are permanently hired. Ireland’s minimum wage is €9.15 per hour.

Internship

Students enrolled on courses on the Degree Programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their programme. This is subject to the following rules.

• The internship or work placement part of the programme cannot exceed 50% of the duration of the programme e.g. a 4 year programme would permit 2 years of work placement. In addition, the employment cannot be in a self employed capacity.
• Work placements as part of an academic programme must form an integral part of the programme which contributes to the final award. 
• Educational facilities must also ensure that the placements are suited to the programme being pursued.

Post Study Pathways for International Students

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.

• During their approved stay under the scheme, a student can work full-time (40 hours a week).
• The permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is non renewable.
• A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme in accordance with the rules below. 

Revised Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission

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

In order to qualify graduates:

1. Must have been notified in writing by the relevant awarding body or institution on or after 1 January 2017 that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student.
2. Must hold a current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card, and must apply within six months of being notified by the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student.
3. Must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on their permission as a non-EEA national student in the State.
4. May, if having previously benefitted from the Third Level Graduate Programme at a level 8 award or above, on achievement of a higher level award, e.g. level 9 or above, re-enter the Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to the overall limit of eight years.
5. A graduate will not be permitted to access the Programme on more than two separate occasions, subject to 4) above.
6. Must, in line with the obligation on any non-EEA national seeking to renew their permission to be in the State, comply with the laws of the State. Such persons are expected to be of good character and not to have come to the adverse attention of the authorities in any way.
7. Must present evidence of the final award being attained by way of a parchment or, in circumstances where the graduation ceremony is yet to take place, an official letter for the awarding body / institution confirming that the award has been achieved. We will revert with arrangements for checking with the institutions and further information, including contact details will circulate in due course.