Move to Ireland

Ireland long-term study visa

This visa is for people who need a visa to travel to Ireland for study lasting more than three months. A visa permits travel to Ireland, but an immigration officer decides whether to allow entry.

Fee

€60 per person

Decision

About 8 weeks

Ireland graduate permission

This programme lets eligible non-EEA graduates who studied in Ireland remain to seek graduate-level work. It grants Stamp 1G permission for up to 12 months with a Level 8 award, or up to 24 months with a Level 9 or higher award, subject to the programme’s limits and renewal conditions.

Fee

€300 per person

Decision

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Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit

This permit allows a non-EEA national to work in Ireland for the employer and occupation named on it. It requires an eligible job offer lasting at least two years; no Labour Market Needs Test is required.

Fee

€1,000 once

Decision

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Ireland General Employment Permit

This permit allows a non-EEA national to work for a specified Irish employer in an eligible job. It can be issued for up to two years initially and renewed for up to a further three years.

Fee

€500 per person

Decision

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Ireland Hosting Agreement for researchers

This route lets non-EEA researchers carry out a research project with an accredited research organisation in Ireland under a hosting agreement, without a separate employment permit. The agreement can cover a period from 3 months to 5 years.

Fee

€60 per person

Decision

About 8 weeks

Ireland Sport and Cultural Employment Permit

This permit allows a foreign national to work for a specified employer in Ireland in a sporting or cultural role. A first permit may be granted for up to 24 months, depending on the employment contract.

Fee

€500 per person

Decision

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Ireland Stamp 4 upgrade

This is an in-country renewal route for eligible workers and researchers to move from Stamp 1 or Stamp 1H to Stamp 4. Stamp 4 permits employment without an employment permit.

Fee

€300 per person

Decision

—

Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme

STEP allows eligible non-EEA entrepreneurs to establish an innovative business and live in Ireland while working on it full time. Applications can be submitted at any time, and an evaluation committee considers proposals quarterly.

Fee

€350 once

Decision

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Ireland Long Term Residency

This route is for people already living and working legally in Ireland who have completed at least 60 months of qualifying residence. Successful applicants receive permission to live and work in Ireland for a further five years without another employment permit.

Fee

€500 per person

Decision

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Ireland Stamp 5 permission after eight years’ legal residence

This is a permission for people who have completed eight years of qualifying legal residence in Ireland. Stamp 5 allows its holder to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit and is valid until their current passport expires.

Fee

€300 once

Decision

—

NCI Master’s Academic Merit Scholarship

National College of Ireland

An academic merit scholarship of up to €5,000.

DCU Nigerian Talent Postgraduate Scholarship

Dublin City University

One €7,500 award and one €5,000 award, deducted from tuition fees.

DCU Business School International Scholarship – master’s

Dublin City University

€2,000 off 2027/28 non-EU tuition fees.