Students from outside of the EEA

As of April 10 2007 legally resident non-EEA third level graduates have been allowed to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card or work permit. Graduates who have received a primary, masters or doctorate degree from an Irish third level educational institution on or after January 1st, 2007 can apply for this scheme.

A person who qualifies for this scheme will be granted one non-renewable extension to their current student permission for a six month period starting on the day upon which they received their exam results. This scheme allows the person to work for up to 40 hours a week under student visa arrangements (Stamp 2) and/or to seek employment and apply for further permission to remain in the state under green card or work permit arrangements.

To apply for this scheme graduates should present at their local Garda Siochána registration office, or at the Garda National immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 with relevant supporting documentation.

During the period of permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme a student can work full time (up to 40 hours per week)

• The permission the student will have will remain that of a student
• The permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is non renewable
• A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme once.
• Once a student has availed of the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme they are not permitted to re-enter full time education and to be registered as a student at the end of the period.

One Year Permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission

To be eligible for a one year permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme a student is required to have studied in Ireland and completed a qualification at Level NFQ 8-10
an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body (overseas accreditation will not be accepted), i.e
Dublin Institute of Technology
Higher Education Training and Awards Council
Institutes of Technology with delegated authority
Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
Universities
Other bodies that have statutory award-making powers in Irish law

 
Six Month Permission under the Third Level Graduate Scheme

A six month permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is available to students who have graduated a course at Level 7 of the NFQ