In recent years, Ireland has boomed into a buzzing study-abroad destination for Indian students. Some of the reasons why Indian students prefer going to Ireland for higher studies are the excellent quality of educational institutes, the huge scope for research programs, the opportunity to work while learning and so much more. The quality of life in Ireland is also very high, which makes Ireland even more attractive for international students who wish to study and later on, settle in Ireland. In addition to that is very easy to get an Ireland permanent residency. Here is a complete roadmap to getting an Ireland permanent residence status.
Advantages Of Ireland PR After Study for International Students
Obtaining permanent residency (PR) in Ireland after completing your studies opens up a world of opportunities and advantages, making it a truly rewarding experience. Here are the various benefits that await international students with Ireland PR:
- Seamless Business Establishment: Ireland’s PR status empowers you to venture into entrepreneurship with ease. As a PR holder, you gain the privilege of conducting business transactions across the 28 member states of Europe effortlessly. This access to a vast market enhances your business prospects and growth potential.
- Favourable Tax Regime: One of the standout benefits of Ireland PR is the country’s highly attractive tax system. Among European nations, Ireland boasts one of the lowest corporate tax rates, making it an alluring destination for both businesses and individuals seeking to optimize their financial endeavours.
- Enhanced Educational Opportunities for Children: If you have a family, Ireland PR provides your children with exceptional educational benefits. EU students under the PR status can enjoy advantages such as exemption from undergraduate program fees and other perks not available to non-EU students, creating a favourable environment for their academic pursuits.
- Unrestricted Travel Privileges: With Ireland PR in hand, you gain unrestricted travel rights, allowing you to explore the world freely. There are no limitations on the frequency of your visits, granting you the freedom to travel anywhere and return to your cherished Irish home without facing any hindrances or restrictions.
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for PR in Ireland
To be eligible for Ireland permanent residency after your student visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Five-Year Stay: Non-EU students seeking PR in Ireland must have resided in the country for a minimum of 5 years, encompassing both their educational and employment periods.
- Valid Work Authorization: During your stay in Ireland, you should have possessed a valid work permit, Stamp 1, or Stamp 4, as this is essential for any employment in the country. Make sure to have applied for and retained proof of your work authorization.
- Irish Residence Permit: It is crucial that you had a valid Ireland residence permit at the time of applying for PR. Failure to meet this requirement can complicate the process.
- Stable Employment Status: Securing PR in Ireland relies on having a stable and long-term employment position.
- Good Behavior & Character: As a resident of Ireland, it is important to demonstrate friendly and exemplary conduct, reflecting the peaceful nature of the country.
Documents Required To applying For Ireland PR After Study
To successfully apply for Ireland PR after completing your studies and meeting the eligibility criteria, you will be required to submit the following essential documents:
- Copies of all relevant work permits obtained during your stay in Ireland.
- A copy of your GNIB card or Irish residence permit, validating your legal residence status in the country.
- A coloured copy of your passport, including all relevant entry/exit stamps and personal details. (For individuals with a new passport, it is crucial to submit the previous passport containing the mentioned information.)
Application Process For Ireland Permanent Residency After Student Visa
To successfully apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Ireland as an international student, follow these two distinct parts of the application process:
Step 1: Study & Post-Study Work Permit
- Apply to an Irish University of your choice.
- Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your educational expenses and living costs.
- Successfully pass an English proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.
- Apply for part-time work (up to 20 hours per week during classes) or full-time work (up to 40 hours per week during specified holidays).
- Apply for a residence permit, allowing you to stay in Ireland for 12 months (mandatory for courses lasting more than 3 months).
- Obtain a work permit, such as an Irish General Work Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Step 2: Submission of PR Application
- Submit your PR application via email to the Long-Term Residency Division of INIS (Irish Naturalization & Immigration Services).
- Ensure all required documents are included with your application. In case of unsuccessful PR approval, you will be notified within a week.
- If your application is approved, you will receive an approval letter from INIS, stating that the PR fee (€500) must be paid within 28 days.
- Pay the PR fee using bank drafts or postal orders made payable to the Secretary-General of the Department of Justice and Equality.
- Upon receiving your payment, INIS will issue a letter granting you a Long-Term Residency in Ireland on a Stamp 4 visa, valid for a duration of 5 years.
Important exams for Ireland Permanent Residency status
Your first course of action to get an Ireland permanent residence status is to get into an accredited Irish university. To do this, you must take exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, GAMSAT etc to get admitted to top universities in Ireland. We recommend that you collect as much information as you can on universities and their Ireland PR requirements such as eligibility criteria, application procedure, statement of purpose, etc. Make sure you have a valid passport before you start your admission process. Also, take care to see you meet all the university deadlines.
Proof of funds for Ireland PR Process
In order to get an Irish student visa, you will need to provide proof of funds. This is why an education loan to Ireland is so important. An abroad education loan plays a crucial role in fulfilling the amount of money required to study abroad. For any assistance related to education financing, you can contact UniCreds and get free education loan assistance and the best options for abroad education loans.
Student Visa for Ireland permanent residency Status.
The first step in Ireland PR process is getting your student visa is identifying which type of is applicable to you.
- ‘C type study visa’ – for any study program/course that lasts less than three months.
- ‘D type study visa’ – if you applied for a course that lasts longer than three months.
Test for English Proficiency.
While applying for your student visa, you will be required to provide proof of English language proficiency through an internationally recognized certificate that has been issued within two years of the expected start date of the course to be considered valid. Accepted English exams include PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
Internships.
The main way to get Ireland permanent residence is to secure employment in Ireland. In order to facilitate work, it is recommended that you first secure an internship in Ireland. Internships drastically increase your chances of a full-time job in Ireland. Other than that, internships also provide you with practical experience, as well as an opportunity to earn some extra money. You can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week during semesters) or full-time (40 hours per week during scheduled holidays).
Know About Ireland’s Education Loans
Irish residency Permit.
If you are enrolled for a degree that lasts more than three months, you will need to register at the local GNIB as soon as you arrive in Ireland. A residence permit allows you to stay in the country for up to 12 months. You will also receive a Certificate of Registration (known as a Green Book), which must be renewed before it expires.
Work Permit.
To get a permanent residency in Ireland through a work permit is one of the most important steps in getting an Ireland permanent residence status. You need to first identify which work permit applies to you.
- The Irish General Work Permit
This is an employment permit which allows a non-EU citizen to work in Ireland. The permit is initially granted for two years. This employment permit is granted to applicants with a valid job offer.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit
This work permit is open to those employed on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List, which includes the tech industry. Getting this permit means that your quest for permanent residency is fast-tracked.
Note that a minimum remuneration of €30,000 is required for work permits. In exceptional circumstances, work permits may also be considered where the remuneration is less than €30,000.
Here is the fee structure of the work permit –
- €500 for a permit of 6 months or less.
- €1,000 fee for a permit of 6 months to 2 years.
If your work permit gets rejected, 90% of this fee will be refunded to you.
Know More About Credence Education Loan
Apply For Permanent Residency.
In Ireland, you can apply for permanent residency only after legally living in Ireland for 5 years. This includes General Employment Permit holders. However, individuals employed in the tech industry – Critical Skills Employment Permit, get a nice advantage as they can apply for permanent residency after only 2 years! On receiving your permanent residency, there won’t be a need to acquire further employment permits.
Getting Irish Citizenship.
You can apply for Irish Citizenship after spending five years of residency and supporting yourself in Ireland. Being an Irish citizen entitles you to apply for a new Irish passport as well as to vote in all Irish elections and makes you a citizen of the EU.
FAQs
1. Is it difficult to get PR in Ireland?
Obtaining a student visa is not the only requirement for obtaining permanent residency in Ireland. In fact, international students should concentrate on building a strong academic and professional profile so that they can easily obtain PR in Ireland.
2. Is Ireland good for PR?
Foreign nationals who have lived in Ireland for five years with a type of work authorization are qualified for the Ireland Permanent Residence Permit. Foreign nationals who obtain permanent residency in Ireland will receive a Stamp 4 on their passport, which is valid for 5 years and is renewable.
3. How can I get permanent residence in Ireland?
Foreign nationals residing in Ireland with specific work authorization for five years become eligible for the Ireland Permanent Residence Permit. This permit, known as Stamp 4, is valid for 5 years and can be renewed
4. Is IELTS required for Ireland PR?
The Irish immigration service mandates a minimum IELTS band score of 5.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog on ‘Ireland Permanent Residency: Unlock Opportunities’. Do check out our other blogs!
Recent Posts