Post-study Work Visa and Employment Opportunities in Ireland
Once you have completed your studies in Ireland, you may stay a little longer and explore employment opportunities as part of your post-study work visa plan. You can get relevant work experience in your related field of study. Working overseas will boost your CV. It will also assist you in establishing a job when you return to your native country.
You may be eligible for the Third Level Graduate Scheme. This is if you are a full-time student with a validated Irish degree and hold the Visa Stamp 2. The following are the steps in the procedure:
- After completing a course, students can ask for a non-renewable extension of up to two years. This extension allows you to find suitable employment.
- You can apply for a green card (formerly known as a Critical Skills Employment Permit) or a work permit (renamed General Employment Permit).
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For foreign graduates permitted to work under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, a new visa stamp – Stamp 1G – is now available. You will not need to apply for a visa extension if you have Stamp 1G.
Your National Framework of Qualifications level also determines the length of your extension. The Graduate Employment Scheme is available to people studying for degrees at the level of 8 or higher for 12 months. A 6-month extension will be granted to people having a level 7 degree.
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International students pursuing higher education online from their home countries can apply for a post-study work visa and explore employment opportunities in Ireland, which is a huge relief. Due to COVID-19, international students in their second semester of an Irish higher education program are entitled to post-study work rights. This is if they study online outside of Ireland. The students will still be eligible for the graduate program at the third level.
To be eligible for a PSW extension, students must meet the following requirements:
- A letter from their college or university stating that they were a student for the academic year 2020-2021 is required
- Students must additionally obtain a document from the relevant authority or institute. This document must confirm that they have received the award for which they were enrolled
- A letter from their college/university saying that their course was entirely taught online; and that they didn’t need to attend any in-person classes to complete it
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What Is a Critical Skills Employment Permit?
Permit for Critical Skill Employment Ireland permits students to work in a field with a skills deficit in the country. The country updates the list regularly, and you can find it on the official website. In Ireland, the Critical Skills Employment Permit serves as an incentive to attract and encourage highly skilled persons from other nations to contribute to the Irish economy.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment?
The general requirements for this type of permit include
- The employer must be registered in Ireland. The contract must be permanent or fixed-term for at least two years.
- At least 50% of the company’s employees must be EEA citizens. If the company is a start-up and is backed by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland, this criterion does not apply.
- If the proposed post is on the Critical Skills List and the applicant possesses a relevant qualification at least at a bachelor’s degree level; the base salary (not counting incentives and allowances) must be at least €32,000
- In case the starting wage is €64,000 or higher; the occupation does not have to be on the Critical Skills List, and a suitable degree is not required.
Ireland: Visa Process and Post-Study Work Permit
Job Prospects in Ireland
The Republic of Ireland’s economy, one of the world’s richest, can be classified as a knowledge economy. This translates to an economy that focuses on financial services, technology, and life sciences and emphasizes applying knowledge to generate tangible and intangible wealth. Ireland has frequently been referred to as the EU’s fastest-growing economy. With the country’s GDP growing at 5.5 percent and unemployment falling below 3.7 percent, the country had a successful year in 2019 and laid the groundwork for a better 2020 and 2021. Various industries have contributed to this growth that has significantly influenced the economy of Ireland.
Because of its world-class education and state-of-the-art infrastructure at major universities in Ireland, Ireland has become a popular study abroad destination for Indian students throughout the years. Candidates also look forward to Ireland’s student-friendly regulations, including a flexible post-study work permit, part-time work possibilities, and low tuition and living costs. Candidates aim for its job economy, giving international and domestic students equal chances to earn a living and live comfortably.
From 2009 to 2019, the statistics above illustrate the distribution of employment in Ireland by economic sector. In Ireland, 4.98 percent of employees worked in agriculture, 18.27 percent in industry, and 76.75 percent in the service sector in 2019. (Image courtesy: Statista)
Popular Job Sectors in Ireland
The job sector in Ireland can be classified into the following professions.
Primary Industries
Agriculture, mining, forestry, and fishing – Ireland’s primary sectors rely on the country’s abundant natural resources, accounting for 5% of GDP and employing around 8% of the workforce.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Industries
The pharmaceutical and medical technology industry in Ireland employs approximately 50,000 people and generates about 60 billion euros in export annually, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. The medical technology and research sector employs roughly 25,000 people and generates 9.4 billion euros yearly, thanks to high demand, fierce rivalry, and growing start-ups.
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Software and ICT Industries
Over 200 information and communication technology (ICT) businesses, including Facebook, Google, eBay, Amazon, LinkedIn, Twitter, PayPal, and Microsoft, employ over 35,000 people in Ireland and produce approximately 35 billion euros yearly. Ireland’s software industry generates about 16 billion euros per year and employs over 20,000 people.
Financial Service Industry
The Financial Services Industry employs over 35,000 people and generates an annual tax revenue of around 2 billion euros. Bank of Ireland, AIB Bank, and Ulster Bank are banking giants in Ireland, one of the world’s top wholesale financial services suppliers.
Export and Trade Industry
Ireland is a major producer of zinc and lead, two minerals that contribute significantly to the country’s export revenues. In addition, the country is one of the largest exporters of software, medical products, and medicines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it simple to get work in Ireland after completing a master’s degree?
Ans. When the opportunity to work in Ireland after completing their master’s degree arises, many students gladly agree. With a rate of unemployment below 5% and the new Third Level Graduate Program, the job environment in Ireland for overseas students is fairly favorable.
Q2. How long can I remain work in Ireland after finishing my master’s degree?
Ans. Non-EU/EEA candidates finishing advanced courses in Ireland can now remain work for around 24 months to look for job and/or request a new working visa or green card. This new rule refers to candidates pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees from a well-known Irish awarding organization.
Q3. Does Ireland provide permanent residency?
Ans. Foreign citizens who have lived in Ireland for 5 years with a sort of project authorization are qualified for the Permanent Residency of Ireland. Foreign citizens granted permanent residency in Ireland will receive a Stamp 4 on their passport, that will be valid for 5 years and therefore is extendable.
Q4. Does Ireland grant students’ citizenship?
Ans. To seek for citizenship by naturalisation depending on residency, you must demonstrate that you have lived in the country for a minimum of 5 years out of the past 9 years. This comprises one year of continuous residency just before the application date.
Q5. Q5. Is the IELTS exam essential for Irish permanent residency?
Ans. To get a study visa to start your studies in Ireland and eventually gain permanent residency, you must complete the English language criteria. This essentially means taking the IELTS Academic exam and scoring at least 5.0.
At ForeignAdmits, we understand how important this decision is. We are here to help you every step of the way, from finding the right school to getting admitted and securing scholarships.
ForeignAdmits have a team of experienced counsellors. We can provide you with customized guidance based on your individual needs contact us today to get started. We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals!