Ireland : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa or work permit?

Most EU nationals do not need a visa or work permit but citizens of non-EU countries may be required to have these documents.

There is no legal requirement to register with the immigration authorities even if you are staying in Ireland for a longer period of time. Some people choose to register in order to have documentary evidence of their stay when returning to their home country.

In December 2008, the Irish Government announced that from 1 January 2009 it would continue to restrict access to the Irish labour market for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania. Full details on the situation of employment permits for these countries can be found at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

Non-EU nationals will require a visa or work permit, and may need to apply for a residence permit. Further information can be obtained from the Irish embassy in your country.

There are several different types of visa and further information as well as online application forms, can be found at Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

Most EU nationals do not need a visa or work permit. Non-EU nationals will need to obtain a visa and/or work permit. If you are not a UK national, contact the Irish embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to Embassy of Ireland.

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Ireland.

If there is no Irish embassy/high commission available near you, or to download an application form, contact the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation for Ireland (DETI) .

How do I apply for permanent residency?

Non EEA-nationals can apply for permanent residency once they have been a legal resident in Ireland for five years on work permit conditions. An application needs to be made to Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) with a copy of your work permit, certificate of registration (GNIB card), and passport including all endorsements. Current processing time is 14 months.