The type of visa required and the administrative procedures that must be followed by migrant workers coming to Ireland depend on the nationality of the migrant worker, and the nature and skill level of the work they will be doing. To find out more about this, please refer to the "Migrant Rights Centre Ireland"

The majority of non-EEA nationals working in Ireland do so on temporary forms of permission to work. There are currently four types of permissions: The Work Permit and the Green Card (previously the Working Visa/Work Authorisation scheme), spousal/dependant permit and intra- company transfer permit. There are other types of migrant workers in Ireland, for example overseas non-EEA students registered in certain approved courses can work up to twenty hours per week.

The Green Card scheme is restricted to most occupation with annual salaries of over €60,000 or certain specific skilled occupations where workers are in short supply, such as professionals and technicians in Information Technology (IT), professionals in construction, and registered nurses. Non-EEA nationals with Green Cards also require the permission of the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reside in the state and must register with the GNIB. Workers must present their documentation to Immigration to get a residence stamp in their passport. Please refer to the article of "Work in Ireland" on this website.

Rules to obtain a Green Card

You must have a job offer from a company or employer who is registered with the Revenue Commissioners, trading in Ireland and registered with the Companies Registration Office. You must also prove you have the relevant qualifications, skill and experience for the job, and you must be directly employed and paid by your employer in Ireland. Job offers from recruitment agencies and other intermediaries are not acceptable under the scheme. The job offer must be for 2 years or more, the permit has a duration of 2 years and should it will be your and your employee´s responsibility to renew it there after. As a rule, the company who wants to employ you should have no more than 50% of it's companies' position filled with non-EEA nationals.

To know more about this please visit the following link:

Citizen Information

To apply to a Green Card, please visit:

Department of Employment Permits Section

Address: Davitt House

65a Adelaide Road

Dublin 2

Phone: +353 1 417 5333 Local: 1890 201 616

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service

Address: 13/14 Burgh Quay

Dublin 2

Telephone: +353 1 616 7700

International students in Ireland with any queries on their rights and entitlements can contact the "Irish Council for Overseas Students" (ICOS). ICOS is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organisation established in 1970 to promote the general welfare of international students in Ireland. For more information, please visit their official website: www.icosirl.ie

New provisions for employment of Non-EEA Students

The "Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform" determined that with effect from 18 April 2005, new students who are citizens from outside the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau will not be permitted access to employment unless they are attending a full-time programme of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science. The Register of approved programmes compiled by the "Department of Education and Science" for this purpose has been published on the Department's Website: "Internationalisation - Register of Approved Programmes"

Note: Non-EU/EEA students who are allowed to work will have a 'Stamp 2' in their passport. This allows them to work up to 20 hours a week during the term-time and up to 40 hours a week during their term holidays. Students not permitted to work will have a 'Stamp 2A' in their passport, which will stipulate that the student is not allowed to enter employment.

This scheme allows legally resident non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a Work Permit or Green Card. Please check the articles regarding this subjects on this website, or visit DETE'S

Non-EEA Nationals who wish to pursue a business activity (in a capacity other than as an employed person for whom an employer would have to obtain a work permit) must first obtain Business Permission. In order to obtain Business Permission certain criteria must be met, and an application sent to the Immigration Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law reform.