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Overseas students who have secured admission to the universities of Ireland can plan their lives in this island nation after securing a PR in Ireland after study. 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. Individuals with Irish work permits must submit certain documents and registration fees to apply for Ireland PRs. Any PR holder can apply for citizenship after 5 years, which is the validity period of an Irish permanent residency.
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Steps to Get PR in Ireland After Study
To obtain a permanent residency in Ireland after study, 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 Ireland 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 Ireland student visas:
- 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.
- D Study Visa: This visa is given to students who are enrolling in courses that are longer than 90 days. Students often prefer a D Study Visa over a C Study Visa.
To pursue higher studies in Ireland, non-EEA and non-EU 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.
Also Read: Study in Ireland
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
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:
- 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 a PR in Ireland.
- 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.
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.
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 is applicable 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. After submission of the PR application and required documents, the Ireland government usually takes 6 to 8 months to process the PR visa, which is valid for 5 years. A PR visa can be renewed after 5 years or non-EU citizens can apply for citizenship after this time period.
Eligibility for PR in Ireland
Listed below are some of the eligibility requirements to obtain a PR in Ireland after study:
- 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.
- These citizens must have stayed in the nation on student visas.
- They must have Irish residence permits.
- They must have an Irish Employment/Work Permit.
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:
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of employability/work permit
- Copy of residence permit
Also Read: Education in Ireland: An Intellectual’s Paradise
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 the permanent residency is approximately €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 offer to register for PR. Additional registration charges are applicable.
Benefits of PR in Ireland
Here are some of the advantages of a PR in Ireland after study:
- The Irish government considers Permanent Residency holders for tax benefits on their income.
- Children of PR holders will get an opportunity to study in the top-ranked universities of Ireland.
- PR holders can move in and out of the island nation at their will.
FAQs
Ans: Yes. International students can opt for employment opportunities in Ireland after completing their courses. To work in this nation, non-EU or non-EEA citizens must obtain Irish General Work Permits, which are valid for two years. Degree holders after getting their jobs can also apply for work permit extensions for a few years and then apply for a PR in Ireland after study after completing 5 years in total in the country.
Ans: General Work Permit holders are required to stay in Ireland for 5 years to get an Ireland PR, whereas, Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for a PR after 2 years.
Ans: The Irish government usually takes 6 to 8 months to process the PR visa, which is valid for 5 years. A PR visa can be renewed after 5 years or non-EU citizens can apply for citizenship after this time period.
Foreign nationals who have stayed in Ireland for more than 5 years can receive permanent residence in the country.. The permanent residence certificate is not mandatory, Moreover, the continued residence will not be affected by temporary absences from the country. For example, absence of less than 6 months.
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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