How to Get PR in Ireland After Study? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Did you know that Ireland has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, making it a top destination for international students seeking PR?. Ireland offers quality education, a thriving job market, and a high quality of life. Getting a Permanent Residency in Ireland comes with a lot of benefits. For example, you will be able to access better job opportunities in Ireland, and it even becomes a pathway for citizenship. 

Non-European Union (EU) or non-European Economic (EEA) citizens who have completed their program in Irish academic institutions on student visas can opt for General Work Permits to fulfil the eligibility requirements to obtain Ireland permanent residency. This blog covers the step-by-step process to bring you clarity on how to get PR in Ireland after studying. You will learn about the required documents, the application process, and tips to increase your chances of getting a PR.

Note: In Ireland, there is no permit called Permanent Residency (based on employment). To Permanently Reside as a non-EU national, you need to apply for a Long Term Residency Permit. It is valid for 5 years.  In this blog by PR, we refer to the Long-Term Residency Permit.

How to Get PR in Ireland After Study? An Introduction 

As an international student, you will not directly get a PR after completing your studies. To get a PR (long-term residency permit ) in Ireland, you need to enroll at an educational institution in Ireland and travel to the country on a student visa. Thereafter, you can apply for a post-study work permit and seek employment. Once you get a job offer, you can apply for a work permit and extend your stay. Thus, you can complete 5 years of required stay in the country and apply for a PR. You will have to meet the additional PR requirements. 

Step-by-Step Process to Secure PR in Ireland (2025)

How to Get PR in Ireland After Study? To obtain a permanent residency in Ireland after their studies, international students must follow the below-mentioned steps and lead a serene and secure life in this island nation.

Step 1: Apply to Study in Ireland

The initial step to acquiring PR in Ireland after study is to enrol in a short-term or long-term course in the universities of Ireland. International students who aspire to study in Ireland and have acquired a seat in any of the Irish colleges/universities are eligible to apply for two types of student visas.

To acquire an Irish student visa, overseas students are required to score the minimum score in any of the approved English Language Proficiency Tests- TOEFL or IELTS. Listed below are two types of Irish student visas:

1. C Study Visa: This is provided to students who are planning to study for less than three months in Ireland. This student visa is approved for overseas students who are enrolling in a training program or 90-day short-term courses.
2. D Study Visa: This visa is given to students who are enrolling in courses that are longer than 90 days. For example, those planning to study in Irish universities. (Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc) Students often prefer a D Study Visa over a C Study Visa. 

To pursue higher studies in Ireland, students need to get a residence permit to stay in the country for more than 3 months. Indian students can apply for residence permits at a unit of the national police force of Ireland- ‘The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)’. Indian citizens have to pay EUR 300 as a registration fee to obtain residence permits in Ireland. 

A C Visa is a Schengen Visa. Understand what a Schengen Visa.

Step 2: Opt for an Internship While Studying in Ireland

Another step for getting a PR in Ireland after studying is applying for an internship in the nation. Ireland allows overseas students to work for 20 hours per week during their program of study and 40 hours per week during semester breaks and other vacations. Students are advised to get an internship in companies they aspire to work for in departments/fields of their choice. 

Also Read: Part-time Jobs in Ireland for International Students

High-Demand Industries for International Graduates in Ireland

An internship in Ireland will help you to fund your living expenses. You can also increase your skill set and prepare for further work opportunities. This will improve your chances of getting a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit. Getting any of these permits is important for getting a PR.

These are some of the high-demand industries where international students can easily secure an internship.

Industry	Top Hiring Comapnies
IT	Information technology giants like Microsoft, Google, and Apple
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer
Engineering & Manufacturing	Arup, PM Group, Kirby Group
Finance & Accounting	Deloitte, JP Morgan
Healthcare & Life Sciences	Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Abbott

Step 3: Obtain a Work Permit

After completion of their courses, non-EU students can apply for post-study work permits in Ireland. They are eligible to apply for the following work permits:

1. Critical Skills Employment Permit: This work permit is provided to practicing professionals who are employed in any of the job profiles included in the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List. Non-EU citizens with critical skills employment permits can easily get PR in Ireland. 
2. Irish General Work Permit: This work permit is valid for non-EU citizens who want to work in Ireland. It is applicable for two years. A non-EU citizen with a valid job offer in Ireland is eligible to apply for this permit. This work permit is provided to students who have completed their degree from Irish universities and have a valid job offer. 

Here is a map of Ireland that showcases the salary in different regions.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Ireland

Step 4: Extend the Work Visa

One of the essential requirements to get PR in Ireland after study is extending the General Work Permit and Critical Skills Employment Permit up to three years after the expiry of the initial time limit. Extension of work visa will enable overseas citizens to complete 5 years in Ireland. 

Work Permit Duration and Renewal.

To meet the period for an Ireland PR, you need to continue working. To continue working, you must know about the work permit duration and the renewal period. The same is provided below:

1. Critical Skills Employment Permit- This permit is valid only for 2 years. Thereafter, you can apply for a Stamp 4 visa. This will allow you to work any job without getting an employment-specific permit.
2. General Employment Permit- This work permit is issued for 2 years. Moreover, it is renewable for 5 more years. After meeting the required duration, you can apply for PR.

To learn about the highest paying jobs in Ireland, watch this video:

Minimum Salary Thresholds

It is important to know that to renew a work permit, you must meet the minimum salary requirement. The salary you would need to renew an Ireland work permit is as follows:

1. Critical Skills Permit– EUR 38,000- EUR 64,000 per year (this can depend on the occupation)
2. General Employment Permit– Minimum EUR 30,000 per year

Additionally, you must ensure that you have a job offer from an employer. You must also apply for a work permit renewal 12 weeks before your current permit expires.

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residency

To apply for permanent residency in Ireland after study, non-EU citizens must have stayed in the island nation for at least 5 years. This time duration includes course duration and work duration in Ireland.

For instance, if the course duration is 2 years and the work permit time limit is 2 years, then a non-EU citizen must apply for a 1-year extension to be eligible for an Ireland PR. This clause applies to Irish General Work Permit holders. 

After receiving a PR from the government of Ireland, non-EU citizens are not required to apply for work permit renewals in the future. The PR is valid for 5 years. A PR visa can be renewed after 5 years or non-EU citizens can apply for citizenship after this period. 

Eligibility for PR in Ireland

Listed below are some of the eligibility requirements to obtain a PR in Ireland after study:

1. Non-EU and non-EEA citizens must have resided in the country for a minimum of 5 years with employability authorization with Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 on their passports.
2. You must have held a valid employment permit/critical skills permit. The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment issues this.
3. You must be of good character and not create trouble for the Police
4. Previously, you must not have broken any conditions to reside in Ireland 
5. You must be legally staying in Ireland at the time of application.
6. You are employed at the time of application and will stay employed after the application process. 

Note: Self-employed applicants cannot apply.

Documents to Apply for PR in Ireland After Study

A non-EU citizen needs to submit the following documents to apply for permanent residency in Ireland:

1. Completed long-term residency application
2. Passport (full-color copies)/IRP cards that reflect your immigration stamps
3. Copy of your employment contract/letter from your employer detailing terms of employment
4. Copy of the GNIB Card and the current Irish Residence Permit (IRP)
5. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment issued employment permit copies
6. Documents to prove that you have been continuously staying in Ireland.For example, bank statements, tenancy agreements, etc

To learn about the cost of living in Ireland, watch this video:

How to Apply for an Ireland PR?

The Ireland PR is called the Long-Term Residency status. To apply for this, you can follow the steps below.

1. Fill out the long-term residence permit application form and send it to the relevant address 
2. Ensure that you attach the relevant documents with your application.
3. Wait for Ireland’s long-term residence application processing 
4. After the visa is processed, a decision is arrived at. You will be informed of the same.
5. Once the application is approved, you will be asked to pay EUR 500 as the PR application fee.
6. Thereafter, you will receive a letter permitting you to stay in Ireland

Particulars	Where to Apply
Ireland Long Term Residence Permit	Long-Term Residence Section, Unit C – Domestic Residence and Permissions Division Immigration Service Delivery Department of Justice 13-14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2, DO2 XK70 Ireland

Ireland Permanent Residency Application Fee

The Immigration service delivery will send a letter to the candidate after the PR application has been accepted. After this, the applicant will have to submit an application fee. The application fee for permanent residency is approximately  EUR 500. The fee has to be submitted within 28 days of receiving the letter. Later on, the candidate is expected to register with the local Ireland immigration office to register for PR. Additional registration charges are applicable.

What are the Benefits of Permanent Residency in Ireland?

Here are some of the advantages of a PR in Ireland after study:

1. You will no longer need a work permit. You can switch to better jobs across industries 
2. You can access the social services of the country. For example, social benefits, healthcare and pension schemes.
3. You will now be allowed to hold properties in Ireland without any restrictions
4. After 5 years of holding a PR, you can apply for Irish citizenship. 
5. You can qualify for low tuition fees to study in any Irish university. 
6. The Irish government considers Permanent Residency holders for tax benefits on their income.
7. Children of PR holders will get an opportunity to study in the top-ranked universities of Ireland.

What is the Ireland PR Processing Time?

You can apply for an Ireland PR after staying in the country for 5 years.  After submission of the PR application and required documents, the Irish government usually takes 6 to 8 months to process the PR visa, which is valid for 5 years. However, the processing time may be impacted by your circumstances. 

How Fast Can You Get Irish Citizenship?

You can get Irish citizenship if you have stayed in Ireland for 5 years or more. Otherwise, you must have legally married or be in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen. The Citizenship Division in Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) processes the citizenship application. To get an Irish citizenship, you must fulfil these criteria-

1. Obtain necessary points on the citizenship scorecard system 
2. Prove that you have legally stayed in Ireland for at least 5 years.
3. You must be above the age of 18 and be able to prove your identity
4. Must be of good moral character
5. Have the relevant residency documents to prove your legal stay
6. Intend to stay in Ireland after you have become a citizen
7. Interested and willing to attend the citizenship ceremony and make a fidelity declaration

How Long Does It Take to Get PR in Ireland?

To get a PR in Ireland you need to stay in the country for at least 5 years. Your stay must be continuous and legal. Moreover, you are required to meet additional PR requirements. Besides this, you need to meet additional PR requirements. For example, you must have sufficient funds to sustain yourself in the country, you must be employed at the time or application, and hold a valid residence permit. Only those who meet the requirements are eligible to apply for a PR.

Can I Get Ireland PR in 2 years?

No. You cannot obtain PR in Ireland in 2 years. You are required to stay in the country for at least 5 years to become eligible for PR. This is the basic requirement for a PR. You need a valid work permit at the time of application. For example, stamp 1 or stamp 4. 

Let’s say you are holding a critical skills employment permit, even then you need tro stay in the country for 5 years.  After 2 years of holding a critical skills employment permit, you can apply for a Stamp 4. Thereafter, you need to stay in the country for 5 years to get a PR. 

However, it is possible to get a PR fast if you are a spouse of an Irish citizen, a researcher staying in the country based on a hosting agreement for 2 years, or are a refugee or visiting Ireland on humanitarian grounds.

Is there an Ireland Citizenship by Investment?

No. Ireland is a country that does not offer the option to get citizenship by investment. Earlier investors could become citizens of Ireland. That is, they could apply for the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP). This pathway offered a residency status in the country. 

The Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) requires you to invest at least EUR 1 million in any Irish businesses, or investment fund. You could also choose to donate around EUR to a public project. This allows you to get Stamp 4 residency. Thereafter, those who stayed for 5 years could get citizenship in Ireland..

Unfortunately, the government stopped this programme in 2023. This means that if you can only obtain citizenship in Ireland by work or by going to study in Ireland and then shifting to work. Family reunification is also another option.

FAQs

To explore study abroad opportunities and learn more about student visas, stay connected with Leverage Edu and Leverage Live. For all abroad studies-related queries, get in touch with our experts at 1800 572 000 for a 30-minute free counselling session. 

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