Ireland - flag Ireland - Work Skills & Ancestry - Green Card (Highly Skilled Visa)

Applying for an Irish green card permit is one of several employment based immigration services which enable foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to immigrate to Ireland in order to undertake positions of employment.

In Ireland, green card applications are designed for those entering the country with valuable skills, qualifications and experience or to work in specific sectors in which a skills shortage is identified.

Immigrating to Ireland through this Irish work visa service is based upon candidates working in a pre-arranged position for at least two years, for a specific employer.

Irish green cards are granted for a period of two years, which is renewable, however after two years an application for permanent resident status can normally be made. In addition, like a working permit, holders must work in the specified position for the named employer for 12 months after which a change of employment is permitted but only if a new application is submitted.

The popularity of immigrating to Ireland continues to grow and the country offers a comparatively uncomplicated system of immigration visa services. The Irish system offers a small number of clearly defined routes from the temporary Irish tourist visa to making an application for permanent residency in Ireland.

Visa Benefits

The Irish system does not have a points based immigration service in place and no points assessment is necessary when migrating to Ireland. In Ireland green cards are the highest level employment based route for those who wish to live and work in Ireland, and unlike work permits, they offer the possibility of applying for permanent residence after two years.

Also, when applying for a green card, no labour market needs test has to be undertaken. This means that a foreign national can be offered a position without the employer needing to demonstrate that there is no local who can fulfill the position. This Irish visa service can be applied for by either the employer or the employee.

Eligibility

In Ireland, immigration through this route falls into two streams, based primarily on salary, as follows:

  • An application can be made where a specified position offers a salary of €60,000 or more. In this category, immigration to Ireland is available for any occupation except those considered to be contrary to the public interest.
  • Applications may also be made where the salary on offer is in the range of €30,000-€59,999. In this category, applications are restricted to strategically important occupations including certain positions in IT, finance, healthcare, construction and engineering.
  • In both streams, applications for Irish visas will take into account whether or not the applicant has the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to fulfil the position on offer. In addition, applications will need to include documentary evidence of a job offer which details the requirements of the position, the salary being offered and the proposed start date of the candidate.

Employer Requirements

  • In Ireland, visas for work of this class also require the employer offering the position to fulfill the following criteria:
  • An employer must be a registered company trading in Irish territory.
  • Employees who migrate to Ireland through this route must be directly employed by the company in question; this excludes agencies, companies who subcontract employees or any other intermediary organisations.
  • Companies will not be permitted to bring foreign nationals into the country if their presence would result in more than 50% of a firm’s employees being from outside the EEA.

Dependents

As a green card visa for Ireland can be renewed and may lead to a grant of permanent residency in Ireland, it is likely that successful candidates will be living and working in Ireland for some years if not permanently.

As a result, spouse and dependent immigration are provided for and the spouse and/or dependents of a candidate may join them in the country. In addition, dependents entering the country under this family immigration service will be permitted to study in Ireland and to work upon securing a spousal or dependent work permit.

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Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.