|
Ireland Immigration Overview (cont.)
<< back to Ireland Immigration,
page 1
Ireland Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa is a popular option for Australians, Canadians,
and New Zealanders visiting Ireland to fund their travels. A Working
Holiday Visa enables those who qualify to work and travel within
Ireland for up to one year. These visas are not unlimited in their
number and only so many are issued within any one calendar year.
Once the yearly allocation has been reached applications are closed
until the next yearly intake. |
|
There are some rules and regulations from Irish Immigration
concerning the Working Holiday Visa and they differ for the different
nationalities. In general though:
- You must be aged between 18 and 30 years of age
- This must be your first time in Ireland under the Working
Holiday scheme (you can have visited Ireland previously though)
- You must not have any dependant children
- You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support your
stay, and prove that you have the means to purchase a ticket
out of the country.
You cannot accept full-time, permanent employment
under this visa. You can however apply from within Ireland
to have your category of visa changed if your circumstances
with regard to employment change. Upon arrival you must register
with the local Garda (police) who will then stamp your visa
and you may then apply for work.
New Zealanders are permitted to work for
the entire duration of their stay with one employer, but Australians
are only permitted to work for one employer for a maximum
of 3 months. They can then work for another employer for another
3 months and so on.
|
Australians can apply for the Working Holiday
Visa through the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin or the
Irish Consulate in Australia whereas Canadians and New Zealanders
can only apply through the Irish Consulate in their home countries.
Irish Business Permit
Business Permits are available for non-E.E.A.
citizens who wish to migrate to Ireland and start or become involved
with a business. To qualify to immigrate to Ireland under the
Business category the applicant must be of good character and
must demonstrate that the business proposal would –
- Be of benefit to the Irish economy
- Have available assets and capital worth at least £300,000
(that will be invested in the business)
- Create at least two jobs for Irish or other E.E.A. nationals
- Be a substantial enough business proposition to successfully
support the applicant and any dependents
If accepted under the Business category,
the applicant is free to enter Ireland for an initial period
of one year to start the business. The applicant will be required
to meet with immigration officials on a regular basis to determine
the continued viability of the business and to ensure that
all other conditions of the applicant’s Business permit
are being met. One month prior to the original permit expiring
the applicant is permitted to request an extension. Assuming
all other conditions have been met the permit will be extended
for a further five years.
Irish Studying Visa:
Non-E.E.A. citizens who wish to undertake
a course of study in Ireland must meet all of the following
criteria –
- Provide their immigration history
- Hold a valid passport that is valid for at least 6 months
past the end of their study course
- Show evidence of the course they wish to attend
- Show evidence that the fees for that course have been paid
in full
- Hold private medical insurance
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration
of their time in Ireland
The student must also demonstrate that they
have paid for the course (or have the funds to do so) and
that they have sufficient funds to support themselves for
the duration of their stay. Before the visa is granted other
factors may be taken into consideration by Irish immigration
officials such as whether the applicant will be able to follow
the course, that the applicant indeed intends to do so, and
that the applicant will leave Ireland at the end of that course.
Documentary proof may need to be shown such as a letter of
acceptance from the teaching institution and financial statements
from your bank.
The visa should be applied for at the local
Irish Embassy or Consul closest to where the applicant resides
normally. The applicant may apply for extensions to the visa
to stay in Ireland as long as the applicant continues to meet
immigration requirements.
Students from a country in the European Economic
Area can enter Ireland freely by showing their passport or
national identity card. A visa is not required. The E.E.A.
consists of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.
Students are permitted to work in Ireland
without the need for a work permit for no more than 20 hours
a week during the school term and full-time during holidays.
Students may not however run their own business or work full-time
in a permanent job. If a student completes their course and
then wishes to continue working in Ireland, they will need
to apply for a work permit.
The information in this article is intended
as a guide only and should not be used as the definitive word
on Irish immigration issues. In all instances you should obtain
professional advice from the relevant Irish immigration authorities.
|
|
|
Home
