Graduate Visa Ireland

The Third Level Graduate Programme, often referred to as the Graduate Visa, is a post study work option for non-EEA nationals holding a Study Visa who have completed an undergraduate or post graduate degree (Level 8 or Level 9) from a recognised educational institution in Ireland.

This programme allows eligible graduates to remain in Ireland after completing their studies and work full-time for any employer or role without requiring sponsorship or a work permit. However, successful applicants cannot be self-employed or operate a business.

Additionally, Graduate visa holders are expected to use the time spent on the programme to seek long-term employment and eventually apply for one of the following work permits:

• General Employment Permit
• Critical Skills Employment Permit
• Research Hosting Agreement

Page Contents

• What is the Graduate Visa Ireland?
• Importance of the Ireland Graduate Programme For International Students
• How Long Does the Irish Graduate Visa Last?
• Eligibility and Conditions for the Third-level Graduate Programme
• What are the Irish Awarding Bodies?
• Documentation Requirements for the Ireland Graduate Visa
• The Third Level Graduate Programme Application Process
• How Long Does it Take to Process an Application for the Third Level Graduate Programme?
• When is the Right Time to Apply for the Irish Graduate Visa?
• Can the Irish Graduate Visa Be Renewed?
• Employment Opportunities with the Irish Graduate Visa
• How Can IAS Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

International students engaging in full-time study in Ireland are typically granted Stamp 2 immigration permission, which has limited working rights. These rights include 20 hours per week of work time during term periods and up to 40 hours weekly during holidays—the permission to work ends once the Stamp 2 immigration permission expires.

Graduates who successfully apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme will receive Stamp 1G permission, which allows employers to hire them full-time without restrictions. Unlike employment permits, the type of job graduate workers can undertake is not limited to salary thresholds or employment categories.

This period allows graduates to gain work experience and industry-specific skills, build professional networks, and explore long-term employment and residency opportunities. Once the graduate obtains an eligible employer-sponsored job, they can apply for further permission to remain in the state and receive a Stamp 1 permission.

The Irish Graduate Visa is valid for 12-24 months, depending on an applicant’s level of qualification.

Visa Duration for Graduates on Level 8 Qualification

Graduates who have completed their studies at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications, which is a bachelor’s degree level, will receive permission for up to twelve months.

However, the combined duration of student permissions cannot exceed seven years. This includes both time spent on Stamp 2 as a student and Stamp 1G under the Graduate Programme.

Duration for Graduates with Level 9 Qualification

Graduates holding a level 9 or above award on the National Framework of Qualifications, typically master’s or doctorate degree holders, and eligible for the programme can get up to a maximum of 24 months’ permission. Their total time spent on Stamp 2 and Stamp 1G must not exceed eight years.

Note that level 9 and above graduates will be granted 12 months’ permission. They may renew their permission for an additional 12 months (subject to the overall eight-year limit) if the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that they have made reasonable efforts to secure suitable graduate-level employment, such as attending job interviews or signing up with graduate employment agencies.

If you are considering applying for the Graduate Programme, here are the conditions you should fulfil:

• You must currently hold a Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card
• You must have been notified in writing by a recognised Irish awarding body or institution on or after January 1, 2017, that you received a level 8 or 9 award for which you had enrolled as a student
• You must apply for the programme within six months of receiving the award notification from the educational institution or awarding body
• You must present evidence of the final award in the form of a parchment or, if your graduation ceremony has yet to occur, an official letter from the relevant awarding body confirming that the award has been achieved
• You must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on your permission as a non-EEA student in Ireland
• If you have previously benefited from the Graduate Programme at a level 8 or above award, you may, on achievement of a higher level award, for example, level 9 or above, re-enter the Programme for an additional period of 12 months, subject to an overall limit of eight years
• Subject to condition 6 above, you will not be allowed to access the Graduate Programme on more than two separate occasions
• You must be of good character and not have come to the adverse attention of the authorities in any way throughout your time in Ireland

Irish awarding bodies are institutions authorised to confer an academic qualification in recognition of the successful completion of a higher education programme, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

The recognised awarding bodies for Third Level Graduate Programme application include Irish universities, such as:

• Trinity College
• University College Dublin (UCD)
• Dublin City University (DCU)
• Technological University Dublin (TU)
• Maynooth University
• Munster Technological University (MTU)
• University College Cork (UCC)
• National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
• University of Limerick (UL)

Other eligible awarding bodies include:

• Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
• Institutes of Technology
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

When applying for the Third Level Graduate Programme, you should provide the following documents:

• Evidence of the qualification you have obtained, with either:
  • A copy of the award granted to you in the form of a parchment or a degree scroll or
  • A letter of confirmation from the awarding body detailing the course you have studied and that you have completed it
• A valid passport or travel document
• Your current Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card
• Proof of medical insurance covering accidents and medical incidents, including hospital stays for the duration of your stay in Ireland. Note that travel insurance will be accepted for Graduate visa applications

If you hold a level 9 qualification and wish to extend your participation in the Third Level Graduate Programme, you must also provide proof of your active job search in the past 12 months. This can include evidence of employment, job interview attendance, emails confirming the job application was received, and interview feedback.

The Third Level Graduate Scheme application process involves renewing your current immigration permission.

You must apply online with the following steps:

1. Sign in or create an account on Immigration Service Delivery’s website.
2. Select the Registration Renewal form.
3. Complete the form.
4. Upload digital copies of your documents.
5. Pay the renewal fee of €300 with your debit or credit card.
6. Submit your application.

Once you submit your application, the ISD will send you an email with a unique application number (OREG number) and a payment receipt. You can use this as proof that you have submitted a request for renewal of your immigration permission to the ISD, particularly if your permission expires while awaiting a decision or your IRP card.

You can expect to receive a decision on your application via email within six weeks of applying. Afterwards, your IRP card will be ready within 10-15 working days.

If you apply online, the ISD will post your new IRP card to the address you provided in your application. If you apply in person, the GNIB will notify you to collect your card from the registration office.

You can apply for the Graduate Visa once you receive confirmation of your degree results. This means you don’t have to wait until you receive your certificate at your graduation or awarding ceremony, which might occur months after your immigration permission expires.

To qualify, it’s recommended that you submit your application within six months of receiving the official confirmation of your results and up to 12 weeks before your current permission expires to allow sufficient time for processing.

Graduates with a level 9 or above award who have not exceeded the 8-year limit on their student permission (Study and Graduate Visa combined) can extend their Stamp 1G permission for another 12-month period.

Visa holders with a level 8 award cannot renew their initial permission. However, if they return to college and obtain a level 9 or above award within the overall 7-year limit for studying in Ireland, they may be able to re-enter the Programme for a new 12-month period.

Under the Third Level Graduate Programme, you can pursue a wide range of employment opportunities, including full-time roles in any field, part-time positions while continuing to search for an ideal long-term role, and graduate-specific programmes or internships that provide a path into permanent positions.

If you secure a full-time role in sectors with significant skills shortages like technology, finance, or healthcare, you may be eligible to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit, both of which offer long-term career pathways in Ireland. You can also apply for the Employment (Scientific Researcher) Visa if you receive a job offer to conduct research under a hosting agreement.

To apply for these long-term work permits, you must meet a minimum income threshold for your job role and have the relevant qualifications to undertake the job. You may be eligible for permanent residency after working for five years in Ireland under an employment permit or a hosting agreement.