Ireland Working Holiday Visa for Canadians

For young Canadian people who wish to spend time working and living in Ireland, the Ireland Working Holiday Visa, also known as the Working Holiday Authorisation scheme, might be for you.

If you have any questions regarding the Ireland Working Holiday visa or need assistance with getting one, you can contact our expert immigration lawyers on +1 844 290 6312, or online seven days a week via our live chat.

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    What is the Irish Working Holiday Visa?

    The Irish Working Holiday Visa programme is reserved specifically for young people aged 18 – 35 from certain countries to leave their home country to enter Ireland, for up to one year to experience the culture, travel and visit. The scheme is sought after and highly desired to be enrolled in, and therefore, places for citizens are limited.

    Ireland has a working holiday agreement with ten countries, are the following countries:

    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • Hong Kong
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • USA

    The working holiday programme exists to offer young people the chance to explore Ireland with a working holiday, meaning the young person on the working holiday visa must work in Ireland or study supplemented by a holiday. If you are travelling primarily to work or to study, you should look into other visas.

    Ireland’s working holiday visa permits holders to travel freely around Europe or other countries.

    However, it is imperative to keep in mind the one-year duration does not stop/start when you exit and enter Ireland.

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    How is one eligible for the working holiday visa?

    To obtain a working holiday authorization, there are a number of entry requirements to satisfy the garda national immigration bureau. For the Ireland Working Holiday visa, you have to prove you meet the following requirements:

    • You must be a citizen of any of the ten countries, so Canadians are allowed!
    • You must have a valid passport that’s valid for 30 days from the date of your proposed entry into Ireland
    • It must be your first time participating in the working holiday visas program
    • You must have a clean criminal record from Canada and any other country you have lived in
    • You must have a receipt to show you paid the application fee for the working holiday visa
    • You must hold medical insurance or private medical insurance

    You must have sufficient funds and be eligible to take care of yourself throughout your time in Ireland. To prove you have sufficient funds, you must have a minimum of €1,500 and a return air ticket to leave Ireland or €3,000 without a return air ticket to leave Ireland.

    Depending on which country you are applying from, there may be additional eligibility requirements.

    What are the country-specific eligibility requirements?

    In addition to the general requirements mentioned above, to be eligible for the Working Holiday Visa, there are country-specific rules too. Individuals from Canada must be between the ages of 18-35 and can stay in Ireland for up to 24 months.

    For other countries, the eligibility is as follows:

    • Individuals from Argentina must be between the ages of 18-35 can apply and successful applicants can stay in Ireland for up to 12 months.
    •  Individuals from Australia must be between the ages of 18-35  and stay in Ireland for a total of 12 months but only 6 months with one employer.
    • Individuals from Chile must be between the ages of 18-35 and can stay in Ireland for up to 12 months.
    • Individuals from Hong Kong must be between the ages of 18-30 and can stay in Ireland for 12 months, but only 3 months with one employer.
    • Individuals from Japan must be between the ages of 18-30 and can stay in Ireland for up to 12 months.
    • Individuals from New Zealand must be between the ages of 18-30 and can stay in Ireland for 12 months.
    • Individuals from South Korea must be between the ages of 18-30 and can stay in Ireland for 12 months.
    • Individuals from Taiwan must be between the ages of 18-30 and can stay in Ireland for 12 months.
    •  Finally, individuals from the USA must be 18 years of age or older (there is no upper age limit) and have to show that they are enrolled in full-time post-secondary education or that they graduated in the last 12 months. They can spend a maximum of 12 months in Ireland.

    What is the application process for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa?

    The application process is not overly complicated.

    The first step to getting your working holiday authorization is applying to the garda national immigration bureau for the Ireland Working Holiday visas from the Irish embassy that is located in your resident country before you travel to Ireland. Depending on where you live, it may require you to do some light travel to get to the Irish embassy.

    Should you successfully meet all requirements highlighted above and the quota for your country is not already met, you’ll receive a working holiday authorization.

    While this Irish working holiday visa permits you to work in Ireland for up to a year, there are still steps you must take to enter Ireland.

    The reality is that immigration officials at the border will ultimately make the decision when you’re at the border by looking through your specific paperwork, including the working holiday authorization. The visa paperwork is imperative to have with you, as the immigration officer at border control needs to see it when you enter immigration in Ireland. Be sure to pack it in your carry-on, so you don’t need to stress about it.

    What is the next step after border control for the working holiday authorisation?

    If everything goes to plan and the immigration officials are happy with your documents, a landing stamp will be stamped directly into your current passport. This landing stamp shows that you have been granted permission to enter Ireland and can stay in Ireland for 90 days.

    Why only 90 days? Because the next step is to register at the Garda National Immigration Bureau in Ireland at an immigration registration office as soon as possible.

    If you are living in Dublin City or Dublin county, the location you need to go to is the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin city center. All applicants have to pre-book their appointment in advance to visit the registration offices – you will not be able to register without being registered for an appointment.

    An appointment can be made online up to ten weeks in advance, and you should apply online. You can register for your for an appointment prior to your arrival in Ireland.

    Anyone living outside of Dublin City or county will need to register at the registration office nearest to them.

    After you successfully register, your permission to remain past 90 days in Ireland will be official! If you don’t register in time, it’s possible you may have to leave Ireland.

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      What is the registration process?

      At your appointment, you are required to bring your valid passport and Working Holiday Authorisation.

      At the immigration office, the immigration officials will assess your documents and decide if you qualify or not to have your immigration permission extended.

      In the instance that your registration documents are successful, the immigration officer will provide you with a brand new permission stamp on your original passport and provide you with an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

      Note that registration costs €300 ($409.90 Canadian Dollars).

      What is the Irish Residence Permit?

      The Irish Residence Permit is your permission to be in Ireland.

      The IRP explains to officials the type of permission you have to be in the country.

      We recommend you keep your IRP card with you in your wallet, in case you are ever asked for it.

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        How Total Law Can Help?

        Total Law is an immigration service that supports people around the world with complicated immigration services, including applying for a working holiday visa to grant you entrance to Ireland.

        The team at Total Law is knowledgeable with years of experience, and we love to see our clients successfully go on to enjoy their working holidays in Ireland.

        We encourage you to contact our friendly team today! We are available to support you 7 days a week, either via phone (+1 844 290 6312) or via our online chat.

        Reach out today to find out how Total Law can support you!

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                  Frequently Asked Questions

                  The Irish Working Holiday Visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months (one year) except for Canadian citizens whose working holiday visa is valid for 24 months (two years).

                  An Irish Working Holiday Visa permits holders to work regular, full-time hours, which is up to 40 hours a week.

                  No, the Working Holiday Visas do not count towards citizenship in Ireland.

                  The application period is around 6-8 weeks. However, if your particular application is complicated or there are delays at the immigration center, you may need to wait longer.