You need a visa for Ireland

You need an Internship Visa to come to Ireland as a paid intern. You also need permission to work as an intern. You cannot apply to be an unpaid intern.

Your exact preparations depend on your plans and personal circumstances. Some of the most important are described below. Read this information carefully to make sure you have everything you need.

You are from a visa required country and you wish to become an intern in Ireland for more than 3 months. Change your answers

 

Before you travel

Apply for immigration permission to be a paid intern

You must apply for and receive immigration permission to be a paid intern in Ireland before you apply for a visa.

You must have a job offer or employment contract to apply. You will not be given a visa or allowed to become an intern without immigration permission.

You cannot apply to be an unpaid intern.

Apply for an Internship Visa

After you receive permission to work as an intern, apply for a long stay Internship Visa. All long stay visas are also called 'D' visas.

You will not be allowed to come to Ireland without a visa.

When you travel

Prepare for border control

You will need to prove that you have a valid reason for entering Ireland to an immigration officer at border control.

To do so, you will need your passport, visa, original Employment Permit (or original working permission letter) and several other documents.

If you cannot satisfy the immigration officer, you will not be allowed into Ireland.

After you enter

Apply for permission to stay & register with immigration

After you enter the country, you must apply for permission to stay in Ireland and register with immigration before the date shown by the stamp in your passport.

If you don't get permission and register in time, you may have to leave the country.

During your stay

Bringing your family to Ireland

You cannot bring your family to Ireland (unless otherwise approved).

However, your family members can apply for their own visas independently if they wish.

Travel to Northern Ireland & United Kingdom

You cannot travel to Northern Ireland using an Irish visa. You need a visa issued by the United Kingdom.

If you travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland and then wish to return to the Republic, you must have a Re-entry Visa (explained below).

Leaving & returning to Ireland

If you plan to leave Ireland for a short period and then come back again, you must apply for a Re-entry Visa.

You must have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or GNIB card to apply for a Re-entry Visa.

If you leave without a Re-entry Visa, you will not be allowed back into the country. You will have to apply again for a new visa.

Application conditions

Internships

You must be a third-level student to become an intern in Ireland. In addition, your internship must be:

  • Related to your course of study
  • Integral or necessary for your course
  • Approved by your third level institution, eg university authorities

You must have an official offer of internship or a contract before you apply for an Employment Permit or Atypical Working Scheme permission.

How to apply

When to apply

You should apply for a visa 3 months before you travel.

You may need extra time to prepare documents to support your application, eg to apply for an Internship Employment Permit or Atypical Working Scheme permission.

How to apply

You must apply from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident:

  1. Submit your visa application online
  2. Send your passport and other documents for processing

You will be given instructions where to send your documents when you apply online.

Visa costs

Extra charges may apply for some applications, eg consular fees.

Other costs

To apply for permission (before you apply for a visa):

To register with immigration (after you arrive in Ireland):

Help & information

Visas

Visa Division
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 XK70

Email: visamail@justice.ie

Work permits

Employment Permits Section
Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation
Davitt House
65a Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 TW27

Email: employmentpermits@dbei.gov.ie
Web: dbei.gov.ie

Atypical Working Scheme

Atypical Working Scheme Division
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 XK70

Email: atypicalworkingscheme@justice.ie

Registration

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 XK70

Email: burghquayregoffice@justice.ie (if you live in Dublin)
Email: gnib_dv@garda.ie (if you live outside Dublin)

 

Contact

If you have questions, contact us.

Updated: 6 November 2017

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Page history

6 November 2017

Contact details for DBEI changed from DJEI.

20 January 2017

Page published.