Employment in Ireland for Non-EEA Students

For the purpose of International students (Non-EEA) seeking employment in Ireland, it may be possible to stay in Ireland under the Irish 3rd Level Graduate Scheme after completing studies, be it graduate or post graduate,. This scheme exists to allow legally resident non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card or work permit. The permission would be for one year during which a student can work full time (up to 40hrs per week). The permission under this Scheme is non renewable.
It is therefore very important to apply for relevant work before the expiry of this one year permission to apply for a Green card or Work Permit.
The advantages of a Green card over a work Permit are -

• A Labour Market Needs Test is not required.
• Permit holders can apply for immediate family reunification from the INIS and once their spouses / dependants are resident in the State they are eligible to seek any employment and apply to the DJEI for a Spousal / Dependant Employment Permit which is currently issued free of charge.
• Permit holders may apply to the INIS for permission to reside and work without the requirement for an Employment Permit upon completion of the Green Card’s duration.

Present Conditions on Employment Permits:

• Occupations in respect of which a Green Card Employment Permit application may be made must be listed in The Highly Skilled Occupations List with a remuneration between €30,000 and €59,999. 
• For every other occupation not in the The Highly Skilled Occupations List and not falling under Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits, a normal work permit may be applied for. 
• The remuneration must be more than €30,000 and a Labour market test to be undertaken for the vacancy, unless the vacancy falls in
  The Highly Skilled Occupations List or comes with a remuneration of more than €60,000.
• If the annual remuneration is over €60,000, then a Green Card application can be made for all occupations other than those on the Ineligible Categories.