Ireland has different visas which are based up on how long you will be staying and the purpose of your visit. Those who are from certain countries such as the EU, USA, Australia and South Africa will not be required to have a visa to travel to Ireland. Nationals who are from countries that are outside the EEA will need a visa.
Once you have been given a visa, a visa a sticker will be added to your passport which will show detailed information about the length of time you can stay in the country. Once this has expired, you will not be permitted to extend your visa.
Tourist/Short Visa
A short stay C visa is required if you will be entering Ireland for 90 days or less on leisure purposes or to study a course.
Expats who have a UK visa will be allowed entry into Ireland if they are part of a country which follows the Visa Waiver programme. Some of the countries include – Asia, The Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Those wanting to visit family who is a resident In Ireland will require a family/friend visa.
To apply for a short stay visa this can be done online and the correct fees must be paid along with submitting the relevant documents.
Documentation must include:
- Two passport size photos and a copy of passport
- Signed application
- Accommodation and travel details (Where you will be staying and itinerary)
- Proof of finances (Bank statement)
- Evidence of returning to your home country
- Medical Travel Insurance
Visitors who have a short stay visa are not permitted to take up any employment or access any public funds.
When applying for the short stay C visa you may apply for a single or multi entry visa.
A multi entry visa will allow you to travel to Ireland a number of times during the length of your visa for a short trip whereas a single entry visa will only permit you to enter Ireland on one occasion within the dates shown on the visa.
Business Visa
A business short stay visa is required by expats who are entering the country for work purposes e.g. to attend meetings, trade shows or promotional work or to sign trade contracts.
This can be applied for up to 3 months before your date of travel and expats will be required to show an invitation from the Irish host company detailing the duration and nature of the trip, accommodation details and letter of confirmation from the employer.
Work Permit
Citizens in the country from EU, EEA and Switzerland will not require a work permit to work in Ireland; However members from other countries will be required to have one to be legally employed.
The employee or employer can apply for the work permit, and expats must have a secured job offer from the company before applying.
There are nine different types of employment work permits, the most relevant ones are
- The Critical skills
- The General Employment Permit
- The Dependant/partner/spouse employment permit
- Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
The Critical Skills Employment
Expats are able to apply for this visa if they are earning more than 60,000 EUR per year or 30,000 EUR if your occupation is listed on the highly skilled occupations list.
There are certain jobs which will not be eligible for this work permit and the job offer must be for two or more years. Applicants must have the relevant qualifications and skills that are listed on the job description.
The critical skills permit is issued for two years and after this expats can apply for a stamp for permission which will allow them to live and work in the country without the relevant permit. You will then be eligible to be able to bring your family into Ireland who will be able to work in Ireland, applying for the Dependant Employment Permit.
General Employment Permit
The permits in Ireland are usually issued by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and to be entitled for a general employment permit your salary must be minimum 30,000 EUR and applicants must have relevant experience, skills and qualifications. In some cases, some expats have been approved with an annual salary of 27,000 EUR.
The general employment permit is issued for two years and after five years of having a work permit; you will no longer require one.
When you submit your application, it must show proof that no Irish, EEA or Swiss resident could be found for the certain vacancy.
The cost of visa ranges from 500 and 1,000 EUR and this usually depends on the length. Expats will be required to work in the company for twelve months or more. You will then be eligible to bring family to live in Ireland.
Application processing times can vary so it is recommended you apply for the permit three months before your intended travel date.
The Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
To apply for this visa, you must be a spouse, partner, civil partner or dependent of a Critical Skills employment permit holder. Expats with this visa must be a resident to apply and you can earn less than 30,000 EUR annually as long as you are being paid the Minimum wage.
There is no fee for this visa, but you must re-register to be allowed to stay in Ireland as an employee and the permits are issued for the period of up to the expiry date which can then be renewed.
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
Expats who are being transferred within the same overseas company are eligible to apply for this permit. Employees must be senior management, trainees or key personnel for a transfer visa. Once expats have left that company the work permit will be ended.
Other types of employment permits available:
- Reactivation Employment Permit: Allows foreign nationals who entered Ireland for employment to work again if they were badly treated in the company. A temporary immigration permission stamp must be applied for first.
- Contract for Services Employment Permits: Expats who are providing services to an Irish unit will need this visa. Non-EEA employees can be transferred to work on an Irish contract whilst remaining in the same employment outside of Ireland.
- Internship Employment Permit: Available to non-EEA full time students who are attending a institution outside of Ireland and have work experience offer.
- Exchange Agreement Employment Permit: For expats who are employed under prescribed agreement
- Sport and Cultural Employment Permit: Available for expats who have secured employment for the operation and capacity of sports and cultural activities.
Working Holiday Authorisation
Citizens who are from countries such as Australia, Japan and the USA will be eligible to apply for a working holiday authorisation. This is used for casual work only and applicants must be able to show funds to be able to support themselves especially if they are unable to find work.
Resident Visas
Those who want to stay in Ireland for longer than 90 days will need to apply for a long stay D visa either to work, study or stay with family in Ireland. This is not required by EEA or Swiss nationals.
Applicants who have the Long Stay D visa will be required to get permission from the INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services) and will need to apply for the necessary residency permit.
Expats who will be looking for employment must apply for an Irish employment Permit, an entrance visa and then register with the INIS.