How To Get PR In Ireland After Study - Step-By-Step Guide

When it comes to foreign education in European countries, Ireland is one of the leading destinations for international students. Firstly because Ireland is an English-speaking country with almost 98% of the population using the language for daily use. Secondly and more importantly, the country is hailed for its higher education system comprising internationally recognized universities offering a wide array of courses. Incidentally, the IT sector of Ireland holds a special place in the global market with the likes of Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and more setting up their offices in the country. In fact, the IT and Pharma sectors alone contribute more than 50% to Ireland’s annual GDP.

Almost all the international students aspire to build a strong career and eventually settle permanently in the countries they go to study in. But a lot of them are still unaware of the PR process and hence, spend a lot of time in confusion. In this blog, we will discuss in detail, the entire process to apply for permanent residency in Ireland.

1. Apply To Study In Ireland

Step number one is to apply for an Ireland student visa. As mentioned earlier, Ireland boasts an excellent higher education system with top universities and numerous courses to choose from. There are two types of student visa available for Ireland:

1) ‘C type study visa’ for those students who want to pursue a program that lasts for less than 3 months and

2) ‘D type study visa’ for those students who want to pursue a program that lasts for more than 3 months.

In order to acquire a student visa, it is mandatory for you to provide proof of your proficiency in the English language through an internationally recognized certificate. The certificate will be considered valid only if it has been issued within two years of the expected start date. Some of the accepted exams include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. Moreover, Irish universities also accept the Duolingo English Test as the basis of admission.

Once you clear the eligibility test, you can freely choose the program and university of your desire to study in Ireland.

Acquiring admission is the first step towards permanent residency.

As mentioned earlier, Irish universities offer a two-years PSW which brings us to our next step.

2. Acquire A Work Permit

While studying in Ireland, you can apply for an internship that is closely related to your field of interest. Besides practical exposure, these internships serve as a great medium for earning additional income in foreign currency. As per the established rules, a student can work part-time i.e. up to 20 hours/week during the semester, OR full-time i.e. 40 hours/week during scheduled holidays.

As soon as you pass out from the university, you become eligible for the work permit. There are 2 kinds of work permits:

1) The Irish General Work Permit: Under this employment permit, a non-EU citizen is allowed to work in Ireland. The permit is originally offered for two years and the applicants are given a job offer.

2) Critical Skills Employment Permit: Under this employment permit, all the individuals practicing a profession that’s included on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List, which includes jobs in the tech sector, are given a work permit. Acquiring this permit streamlines your process of getting a permanent residency.

The fees of acquiring any of these permits are quite nominal with €500 fees for a permit of 6 months or less, and a €1,000 fee for a permit of 6 months to 2 years. No need to worry if the process is unsuccessful because 90% of the fees will be refunded to you.

It should also be noted that for a migrant to receive a work permit, he/she must earn a minimum of €30,000 per annum.

3. Extension Of Work Visa

Typically, the Irish government grants a work permit for the duration of your stated purpose. This includes both, the general work permit holders and the critical skills permit holders. Generally, the employment permit is issued for a time duration of 6 months to 2 years and it can be extended up to a further 3 years.

4. Apply For Permanent Residency

An individual is eligible to apply for a permanent residency in Ireland only after he/she has legally stayed in the country for at least 5 years. This rule applies to all the general work permit holders. As a student, if you apply for a 2-year master’s program and get a work permit under Two years PSW, you can further extend your work permit for just 1 year and be eligible for permanent residency.

However, if you acquire the critical skills employment permit, you are eligible for permanent residency after just 2 years. This makes Ireland a very lucrative option for international students aspiring to pursue a professional career in the IT sector.

Once you adequately receive a permanent residency from the Irish government, you won’t have to apply for further renewals for your employment permits.

We Offer Comprehensive Assistance To You At Each Step

With a decade long experience in the field of foreign education and a dedicated team of expert counselors, Edugo Abroad strives only for the best and positive results in connecting the students with their dream destination.