Ireland
General visa requirements for travelling to Ireland. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Working Holiday Authorisation)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- Applications open annually (typically November for the following year). First 400 eligible applications are processed.
- Fee
- Free (no application fee)
- Validity
- 12 months (24 months for Canadian citizens)
- Entry
- Single entry
Ireland has Working Holiday agreements with 10 countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA. Each agreement has different conditions. Canadian citizens may stay up to 24 months. Australian citizens can work a maximum of 6 months with any one employer. Hong Kong citizens can work a maximum of 3 months with any one employer. US citizens must be enrolled in full-time post-secondary education or have graduated within the last 12 months. Japanese citizens aged 18-25 (extendable to 30 if in full-time education/employment). Applications typically open in November for the following year. This is a one-time-only programme; applicants cannot re-apply.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Must be a citizen of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, or the USA.
Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (Republic of), New Zealand, Taiwan, Province of China, United States of America
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Age
Generally 18-30 years old. Exceptions: Argentine, Australian, and Canadian citizens may apply up to age 35. Japanese citizens 18-25 (extendable to 30). US citizens must be 18+ with no upper age limit but must be current students or recent graduates.
Max age: 35; Min age: 18
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Purpose of visit
Must be first-time participant in the Ireland Working Holiday programme. Primary purpose should be a holiday with incidental employment.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
How to apply
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Online application
Complete and submit the WHAA1 application form during the annual application window (typically opens November).
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Document gathering
Gather valid passport, proof of health insurance, proof of funds, and any country-specific documents (e.g., proof of enrollment for US citizens).
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Document submission
Submit application and supporting documents. First 400 eligible applications per year are accepted.
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Processing wait
Wait for authorisation decision. Successful applicants receive a Working Holiday Authorisation letter.
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Visa collection
Travel to Ireland with the authorisation letter. Register with immigration after arrival to obtain IRP card.
Work / Immigration visa (Stamp 4 Permission (Post-Employment Permit))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- Varies, typically 4-8 weeks
- Fee
- EUR 300 IRP registration
- Validity
- 2 years, renewable. Leads to eligibility for long-term residency.
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Stamp 4 is an immigration permission allowing the holder to work in Ireland without an employment permit, start a business, and access state services. It is issued to: Critical Skills Employment Permit holders after 2 years; General Employment Permit holders after 57 months; spouses of Irish citizens; refugees and subsidiary protection holders; persons with Irish Born Child residency; and researchers with hosting agreements after 2 years. Stamp 4 holders have unrestricted access to the Irish labour market. This is not a visa per se but an immigration permission/status granted in Ireland.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Non-EEA nationals who have held a qualifying immigration permission in Ireland (Critical Skills Employment Permit for 2 years, General Employment Permit for 57 months, or other qualifying status).
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Employment
Must have completed the required period on a qualifying employment permit or hold another qualifying status (refugee, spouse of Irish citizen, etc.).
Required status: Qualifying employment permit or status
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Criminal record
Must be of good character, free of criminal charges or convictions in any jurisdiction.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash/card at registration office; Amount: EUR 300
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather passport, current IRP card, evidence of qualifying employment period (payslips, P60s, employment permit), and any other supporting documents.
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Online application
Submit application for Stamp 4 permission to Immigration Service Delivery.
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Processing wait
Wait for decision on Stamp 4 application (typically 4-8 weeks).
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Appointment booking
Book appointment at the Registration Office to register new immigration permission.
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Fee payment
Pay EUR 300 IRP registration fee at the registration appointment.
Work / Immigration visa (Critical Skills Employment Permit (Stamp 1))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 5-6 weeks for employment permit. Additional 6-8 weeks for entry visa if visa-required.
- Fee
- EUR 1,000 employment permit + EUR 60 entry visa (if visa-required)
- Validity
- 2 years initially. After 2 years, eligible for Stamp 4 (open work permission with no permit required).
- Entry
- Single entry
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for highly skilled occupations deemed critically important to Ireland's economy. From 1 March 2026, the minimum salary threshold increases from EUR 38,000 to EUR 40,904. For occupations with a salary of EUR 64,000+, a degree or equivalent experience is required. For the EUR 38,000-64,000 range, the role must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List AND the applicant must hold a degree or higher qualification. After 2 years, holders can apply for Stamp 4 permission allowing open access to the labour market without a permit. Family reunification is permitted immediately. Applications must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
Eligibility
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Nationality
All non-EEA nationals. Must have a job offer from an Irish employer.
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Employment
Job must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List (e.g., ICT professionals, engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, finance professionals). Minimum salary EUR 38,000 (EUR 40,904 from March 2026) for listed occupations, or EUR 64,000+ for unlisted occupations.
Required status: Critical Skills occupation
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Financial
Minimum annual salary of EUR 38,000 for occupations on the Critical Skills list (increasing to EUR 40,904 from 1 March 2026), or EUR 64,000+ for occupations not on the list.
Minimum funds: EUR 38,000 - EUR 64,000+
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Online payment; Amount: EUR 1,000 + EUR 60 visa
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
Employer or employee applies online via the DETE Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date.
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Document gathering
Gather employment contract, qualifications/degree certificates, CV, passport copy, and employer registration details.
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Fee payment
Pay EUR 1,000 employment permit fee.
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Processing wait
Wait 5-6 weeks for employment permit decision.
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Visa collection
Collect employment permit and visa. Travel to Ireland and register with immigration to obtain IRP card (EUR 300).
Work / Immigration visa (General Employment Permit (Stamp 1))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 4-8 weeks for employment permit
- Fee
- EUR 500 (6 months or less) or EUR 1,000 (6-24 months) + EUR 60 visa (if visa-required)
- Validity
- Up to 2 years, renewable. After 57 months (approx. 5 years), eligible for Stamp 4.
- Entry
- Single entry
The General Employment Permit covers most occupations not on the Ineligible List of Occupations. From 1 March 2026, the minimum annual salary increases from EUR 34,000 to EUR 36,605. The job must be advertised in Ireland/EEA for at least 28 days before applying (with DEASP/EURES and in national newspapers/online). After 57 months of continuous employment, holders can apply for Stamp 4. Family reunification is available after 12 months. The 50:50 rule applies: at least 50% of the employer's workforce must be EEA nationals at the time of application (exemptions may apply for start-ups).
Eligibility
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Nationality
All non-EEA nationals with a qualifying job offer.
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Employment
Job must NOT be on the Ineligible List of Occupations. Minimum annual salary of EUR 34,000 (EUR 36,605 from March 2026). Job must have been advertised for at least 28 days. At least 50% of employer's workforce must be EEA nationals.
Required status: Non-ineligible occupation
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Financial
Minimum annual remuneration of EUR 34,000 (increasing to EUR 36,605 from 1 March 2026).
Minimum funds: EUR 34,000 (EUR 36,605 from March 2026)
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Online payment; Amount: EUR 500 / EUR 1,000 + EUR 60 visa
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
Employer advertises the position for at least 28 days. Then apply via DETE EPOS online system.
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Document gathering
Gather employment contract, CV, passport copy, proof of job advertisements, employer registration details.
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Fee payment
Pay EUR 500 (6 months or less) or EUR 1,000 (6-24 months).
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Processing wait
Wait 4-8 weeks for employment permit decision.
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Visa collection
Travel to Ireland and register with immigration to obtain IRP card (EUR 300).