O. R. SalahudeenOften time immigrants from non-EU countries equate or confused the Republic of Ireland with the UK and base their judgements on happening or system in the UK with Ireland. How wrong they are because the system of doing things in Ireland is uniquely different and separate from that of the UK. In this write-up – living and working in Ireland non-EU citizens – we shall get you started on the ways to realise your dream of relocating to Ireland as a citizen of non-EU countries.
WHERE IS THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND?
According to multiple authorities, the Republic of Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.
LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND NON-EU CITIZENS
WHY CHOOSING IRELAND
Quite a while Republic of Ireland has been immigrants preferred destination due to divergent of reasons:
1. No language barrier: due to the fact that English is the official language most immigrants coming from Commonwealth countries prefer Ireland for studies or relocation.
2. Friendly atmosphere: People here are generally friendly, they make you feel welcome, thereby making your stay and daily interactions enjoyable.
3. Safe environment: One of the biggest advantages of living and working in Ireland is the fact that the country is considered one of the safe place in the world, where you go about your daily activities with peace of mind.
4. Excellent in education: If you studied in Ireland, you have the benefit of going away with credentials that are recognised and acceptable anywhere in the world, because education in Ireland is of a world-class standard with world-class facilities.
5. The best of technological innovation and development: When searching for a country to obtain the best in technological advances choose Ireland because everything you need in technology is awaiting you. This is an advanced country where everything is done with technological accuracy.
7. Centre of leading Global companies: More than a thousand FDI leaders in information communication technology, Social media, pharmaceuticals and Finance choose Ireland as the centre of their European activities. Big companies such as Google, HP, Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pfizer, GSK and Genzyme are operating in Ireland.
LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND NON-EU CITIZENS
Any non-EU immigrants willing to live and work in Ireland should bear in mind that relocating to Ireland could be very tough indeed unless you’re one of the few highly skilled professionals. In order to be eligible to work, you must have Employment Permit. Furthermore, to qualify for Employment Permit certain eligibility criteria must be met.
In order to realise your dream, there are two possible options you can adopt.
1. Obtain a work visa
2. Using the famous study to stay approach.
GETTING A WORK VISA
As stated above, getting a work visa as a non-EU citizen is a herculean task because there are so many obstacles on the way.
If your intention is to relocate and work in Ireland, it is a must to process a work visa before departing your country of residence. Currently, there is no viable alternative, therefore you should commence the process of processing the Ireland work visa vigorously.
HOW TO PROCESS IRELAND WORK VISA.
1. Search for a job that is available for non-EU citizens. Please note that it is when an Irish or citizen of the EU cannot fill a vacancy that a non-EU citizen is employed into a position.
In searching for a job, there is numerous system you can use.
1. Search through the Web: There are various websites that specialise in job searching such as ie.jooble.org, hays recruitment, sigma recruitment, Linked In, Irish jobs, Indeed, Careerjet
2. Engage professional job recruiters: As long as you don’t employ fraudulent job recruiter, this is the right way to get a job nowadays, due to the fact that they’re abreast with current happening in Ireland or elsewhere, they are in a better position to assist in getting the right job.
Often time, job recruiters don’t fancy applicants residing abroad, however if you forward your curriculum vitae and it is rich enough, nothing stopping you from been considered.
3. Contact a relative or friend currently living in Ireland or an adjacent country to assist in securing a job offer for you. Because they’re familiar with the terrain, a reliable relative should be able to know the existing vacancies in his area and assist you in processing a job that you’re qualified for.
LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND NON-EU CITIZENS – SECURING A JOB OFFER
After much effort in job searching, if you’re able to secure a job offer from a company or organisation in Ireland, the next step is to apply for a work visa before departing for Ireland.
HOW TO GET IRELAND WORK VISA
Because getting a work visa is a prerequisite for getting Employment Permit, it’s a must to process a work visa before living in your country of residence.
This is how to do it.
1. Get a job offer from a company or organisation in Ireland
2. Obtain an online work visa application form or approach the Ireland Embassy in your country of residence for a directive.
Carefully read and complete the online visa application form
Attach the following documents:
1. The original job offer.
2. Your International passport with at least 12 months validity and unused visa pages.
3. Photocopy of the data page of your passport.
4. Two recently acquired passport-sized photographs with white background.
5. Evidence of accommodation arranged by you or your employer.
6. Evidence of flight booking and return ticket.
7. Evidence of Basic travelling allowance.
8. Proof of travel health insurance cover from a reputable insurance company.
9. All the documents used in processing the job applied for.
10. Your reasons for relocation.
11. Photocopies of the previous visa in your passport (if any)
SUBMISSION AT THE EMBASSY
After the compilation of the above-mentioned documents, you should submit them personally at the Irish Embassy in your country of residence.
Please note the following at the point of submission:
1. Pay the required visa application processing fee
2. Do the biometric fingerprint scans
3. Enquire about the possible date of the interview before living.
STILL ON LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND NON-EU CITIZENS
THE STUDY TO STAY APPROACH
In their quest for living and working in Ireland, non-EU citizens are realising that obtaining a work visa is increasingly difficult, therefore we’re providing a viable option that we believed is realizable if pursued vigorously.
STUDY TO STAY APPROACH
If your intention is to relocate to Ireland, it is better to consider the option of study to stay approach, which is a win possibility.
BENEFITS OF STUDY TO STAY APPROACH
One of the many benefits of this approach is that in Ireland, foreign students under-going full-time study of one academic year duration, presently do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.
2. After graduation, there is a Post Study Part ways scheme for foreign students that studied in Ireland that make it possible to stay and search for work after studies.
3. Under this scheme, a student is permitted to work full-time.
4. While studying you will have the opportunity of getting familiar with how the Irish manage their system.
5. Because you are engaged in full-time studies, you will have time to move around and make friends which may be of immense benefit in the future.
6. It’s possible to master the local language within the period.
7. You will get used to the weather.
Please note:
These benefits can only be enjoyed if you engaged in full-time studies
Furthermore, you cannot spend more than 7 years studying for a degree.
HOW TO GET THERE
If you choose to study to stay approach, the first step is to search for a degree awarding Institution in Ireland
You’re free to select one of the following:
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
National University of Ireland, Galway
Trinity College Dublin,
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Limerick
Institute of Technology Tallaght
University of Limerick
SECURING A LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
When you secured a letter of acceptance from a University of your choice, the next step is to start the process of obtaining a student visa from your country of residence.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN IRELAND STUDY VISA
1. Obtain an online visa application form.
2. Carefully read and complete the online application form
(Please note that it’s compulsory to use the online visa application facility which is available worldwide. Get started by using the AVATS online facility)
Attach the following documents and forward them to the Irish Embassy in your country of residence:
1. Original copy of a letter of acceptance from a University of your choice in Ireland.
2. Your International passport with at least 12 months validity and unused visa pages
3 Two recently acquired passport-sized photographs with white background.
4. Proof of payment of school fees as stipulated by the University, such as proof of payment of at least €6,000 in Electronic Transfer of Funds to the Irish Bank sent by the University.
5. Evidence of IELTS of 6.5 scores.
6. Photocopies of all documents used in processing the admission.
7. Evidence of financial capabilities, such as scholarship, a sponsorship that you have access to sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and costs of living expenses.
8. A comprehensive statement of your bank account or your sponsor.
9. Evidence of health insurance taken out by the University on your behalf, or the one you arranged personally.
SUBMISSION AT THE EMBASSY
After the collation of the required documents, you’re to submit them personally at the Irish Embassy in your country of residence
Please note at the point of submission
1. Pay the student visa application processing fee
2. Do the biometric fingerprint scans and other formalities as required by the embassy.
3. Allows a minimum of 8 weeks for visa processing.
4. Enquire if you require a visa interview.
STILL ON LIVING AND WORKING IN IRELAND NON-EU CITIZENS
Because your intention of studying in Ireland is to work after graduation, be sure you choose a course of study that guaranteed employment after graduation. Do not study anyhow course that leads to nowhere. The best anyhow course can give you is underemployment.
Various aspects of Information Technology are in vogue currently, search, study, and specialise in some of them, definitely, you’re on your way to success.
STAYING AFTER GRADUATION
Please note that there is a system called the ‘Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme’ that allows a legally resident non-EU third level graduate to stay in Ireland to search for employment or apply for a work permit.
Furthermore, the Revised Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission allows non-EU citizens that graduated from an Irish University to stay for 24 months to look for a job.
DEPARTMENT OF JOBS, ENTERPRISE, AND INNOVATION
For any graduate who wants to seek employment, it’s important to get details about how permission to work is granted from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation prior to making a decision.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE THIRD LEVEL GRADUATE SCHEME
Because you have made a decision to stay and look for a job, the next step is to apply for the third-level graduate scheme.
This how to do it immediately your University result is out:
1. Make an application to the GNIB Department,
2. Present a valid international passport
3. Present your GNIB Card.
4. Present a letter from your University stating that you have acquired your results and are eligible to graduate.
When you obtained the Scheme you have the freedom of applying and working in Ireland. And it is a good starting point in your quest for living and working in Ireland as a non-EU citizen.
That’s all on living and working in Ireland non-EU citizens.
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