Ireland Working Holiday Visa Requirements and Application Process

University students and recent graduates can go to Ireland and work for up to a year through the Ireland Working Holiday Visa.

Ireland Working Holiday Visa Rules

You can apply for an Ireland Working Holiday Visa if you meet the nationality and age restrictions set below:

• You must have citizenship from one of the eligible countries listed below.
• You cannot stay longer than the duration of the visa.
• You cannot apply for a Working Holiday Authorization more than once.
• You must have valid medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
• You do not need to find a job before travelling – you can look for work once you are in Ireland.
• You must have the necessary financial means to support yourself for the initial period of your stay (while you look for work).
• You are allowed to pursue short-term studies of no longer than six months.
• You can work in full-time up to 40 hours a week.
• If you are from Australia: You cannot work for the same employer for longer than six months.
• If you are from Hong Kong: You cannot work for the same employer for longer than three months.
• Stay for a maximum of 12 months.
• If you are from Canada, you can stay for 24 months.

Ireland Working Holiday Visa Eligible Countries

Ireland has a Working Holiday agreement with ten countries:

Country	Age limit
Argentina	18-35
Australia	18-35
Canada	18-35
Chile	18-30
Hong Kong	18-30
Japan	18-30
New Zealand	18-30
South Korea	18-30
Taiwan	18-30
USA	18-30

Keep in mind: If you are from an EU/EEA member state or from Switzerland, you do not need a Working Holiday visa (or any other type of work permit) to come work in Ireland.

Supporting Documents for an Ireland Working Holiday Visa

When you submit your application for the Working Holiday Visa for Ireland, you must have the following documents:

• The completed and signed Working Holiday Authorization application form.
• The signed and dated agreement to Terms and Conditions.
• The signed and dated Insurance Declaration
• Colored photocopy of your passport, showing your personal details, your signature, and the validity. The passport must be valid for at least one year after you intend to travel to Ireland.
  • If you are from Canada, the passport must be valid for at least 30 months after entry.
• Two recent, passport-size pictures in line with Ireland photo requirements.
• Your current CV.
• At least two references.
• Proof that you are either a full-time, higher education student or that you have graduated less than 12 months from the date of application. For example, school transcripts, an official letter from your university, or your diploma/certificate, as applicable.
• Original bank statements proving you can financially support yourself. You will need to have about €3,500.
• Proof of travel medical insurance, valid for the entire duration of your trip (1 year).
  • If you are from Canada, you must sign a declaration promising to purchase private medical insurance in Ireland for your second year.
  • Medical insurance must cover €29,000 for accidents, disease, and hospitalization.
• Payment of the postage fee.

How to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Ireland?

In order to apply for an Ireland Working Holiday Visa, you have to download the application form for a Working Holiday Authorization (WHA) from the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA). Look for the application form specific to your country. There could also be a Declaration form and Insurance form which you have to print, sign, and date.

You cannot apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Ireland – you must do it from your home country.

Where to Submit the Application for a Working Holiday Visa?

If you are from:	Submit the application at:
Argentina	The Embassy of Ireland in Buenos Aires
Australia	The Embassy of Ireland in Canberra
Canada	The Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa
Chille	The Embassy of Ireland in Buenos Aires
Hong Kong	The Consulate General of Ireland, Hong Kong
Japan	The Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo
New Zealand	The Ireland’s Honorary Consulate in Auckland
South Korea	The Embassy of Ireland in Seoul

Applying from Taiwan

If you are from Taiwan, you have to apply through The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

Download the application form for the Working Holiday Authorization from INIS’s website. Once you complete it, you must gather the required documents and register your interest in the Ireland Working Holiday scheme by contacting Taiwan’s Ireland handling agent via email.

The agent will then contact you back to inform you they have to conduct an initial assessment. After that, you will have to send the application form along with the required documents and paid fee to the address specified on INIS’s website.

Applying from the USA

You can either mail the application form along with the required documents to the address of the specific Irish embassy/consulate or you can drop them off yourself. For details of the embassy/consulate’s working hours or address, you will have to visit their website.

How Long Does it Take to Process the Application?

The Ireland Working Holiday Visa processing time is 6-8 weeks. If your application is accepted, you will receive it via mail to your address.

After that, you have 12 months to actually use your Working Holiday Authorization. The WHA will be activated once you land in Ireland. If you do not activate the WHA within 12 months, it will no longer be valid.

After arriving in Ireland

Once you land in Ireland, you will have to go through Border Control, where the immigration officers will decide whether to grant you entry. Therefore, you will need to have your Working Holiday Authorization and copies of your documents with you.

Once the immigration officers grant you entry to Ireland, they will put a stamp on your passport which states the number of days you are allowed to stay in Ireland.

Before those days are up, you have to register at the Garda Naturalisation and Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and get your residence permit.

Everyone who wants to stay in Ireland for longer than 3 months has to get an Irish residence permit. You have to make an appointment with the immigration office and take your Working Holiday Authorization, your passport, and health insurance documents, as well as any other documents they specify in your appointment email. You will also have to pay a €300 registration fee.