content - ireland

Entitlement to Employment in Ireland

There are many opportunities for international students to work in Ireland both during and after their studies. The opportunities available include part time or holiday work, the possibility of staying in Ireland to develop your experience in the workplace.

EU/EEA nationals have the same entitlement to take up employment as that of an Irish person.

Students from outside the EEA

Only students attending a full time course of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Science will be entitled to take up casual employment defined as up to 20 hours part time work per week or full time work during normal college vacation periods. The course you intend to study must be listed on the internationalisation register. This can be viewed on the website of the Department of Education and Science.

The entitlement to take up employment ceases once your student visa expire.

Following completion of your studies, if you wish to continue in employment, you will require a work permit to do so. Although this entitlement to work certainly eases the financial burden on international students, we would not advise that you rely solely on this source of income during your stay here. The Garda National Immigration Bureau also expects proof that you will have sufficient funds to fund your period of study in Ireland.

Access to employment is denied to all other students. If you are attending a foundation / preparatory course prior to enrolment on a full time course you are not entitled to work until you have commenced your full time course. The concession to take up employment ceases upon the expiry of permission to remain as a student. Having been in casual employment will not, in itself, entitle you to further permission to remain.

Unless you are attending a course recognized by an Irish university, an Institute of Technology or by the Higher Education & Training Awards Council (HETAC) or the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) you should not assume that you will be allowed to access employment during your stay in Ireland.

It should be noted that when applying for your student entry visa, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to cover the entire period of your course, without having to rely on income from a part-time job.

Personal Public Service (PPS) Number:

All employees in Ireland have a PPS number for tax purposes. Your Personal Public Service number is a unique reference number that helps to you to gain access to social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland. If you are planning to take up part-time employment in Ireland, you must apply for a PPS number. Applications are made through your local Social Welfare Office. You can find where your nearest Social Welfare Office is by looking in the Golden Pages directory under the heading 'Government Department - Department of Social and Family Affairs'. It is advisable to phone beforehand to make sure you are going to the correct office.

 Non-EU Students need to take the following with them:

You cannot apply for a PPS Number before your arrival in Ireland. You must be already living in Ireland in order to apply for a PPS Number . You will be asked to produce documentary evidence of identity and residence in Ireland. Different documentary evidence will be required, depending on your nationality.

All employees in Ireland, irrespective of their nationality, experience, expertise, or profession, are protected by the law in Ireland. These laws set down specific rules about minimum rates of pay, working hours, holidays, health and safety, changing jobs and employment rights.

Pay and Conditions of Employment

You are entitled to a written statement of your terms of employment within two months of starting your employment. You are also entitled to a contract of employment

You have a right to a written statement of wages each time you are paid. The National Minimum Wage, which all employers (excluding family members) are obliged by law to pay is:

 National Minimum Wage

€8.65 (per hour) Experienced Adult Worker

€7.79(per hour) In the second year after the date of first employment over age 18 
(whether or not the employee changes employer during the year

€ 6.92 (per hour) In the first year after the date of first employment over age 18

€6.06 (per hour)  Under Age 18

Note: There are specific amounts for people undergoing vocational training or study during normal working hours, and/or where board (food) and lodging (accommodation) is provided.

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has launched an information leaflet for non-EU graduates about working in Ireland. Click here to download