Share

The Irish government has announced big news for international students studying Online from their home country. International students will also be eligible for work opportunities in Ireland even if they have been studying remotely in semester two. They will be welcomed to apply for the third-level graduate programme, even if they have been studying remotely from their home country.

Post Study Work Visa Rules is Extended in Ireland for Students Studying Online due to COVID

Post study work opportunities in Ireland

A Stamp 1G visa is granted to international students in Ireland at both undergraduate and postgraduate level for up to two years after completing their study program. The visa permits international students to look for employment in Ireland as part of their third-level graduate programme. Graduates must genuinely put efforts to secure suitable employment by attending job interviews or signing up with employment agencies.

 

A representative from The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science informed that “In order to minimise the number of students arriving in Ireland, and to protect public health, the Department of Justice reviewed the eligibility criteria for the third level graduate permission scheme (1G)”.

Third Level Graduate Programme in Ireland

Third Level Graduate Programme allows non-European students graduating with a degree from a recognised Irish institute to remain in Ireland to look for graduate-level employment for a period of up to 2 years depending on their level of education attained. They can then apply for a Green Card which is a work permit after 24 months. Until now, students had to apply for the programme while they were studying in-person in the universities in Ireland.

 

But now as per new rules, international students who are studying online and/or remotely in their second semester of an Irish higher education programme will remain eligible for the Third Level Graduate Programme (1G). This will be applicable only for a short time as this is brought into force due to Covid Pandemic.

 

Eligibility according to the new Post study work rules in Ireland

The international students need to meet all the existing and new criteria in order to remain eligible for the Third Level Graduate Programme scheme.  Students can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme if one of the following applies: 

  • They have returned to their home countries due to the Covid Pandemic 
  • They have not been able to book an appointment because of COVID restrictions.

 

They can submit their applications, along with scanned copies of required documentation, electronically to the Registration Office, Burgh Quay, Dublin. They will be required to register in Ireland when they can return to the country. To be eligible, international students need the following documents from their higher education institution in Ireland:

  • A letter stating that they were a student for the academic year 2020/2021
  • A letter stating that this course was taught 100% remotely and that they were not required to attend classes in person.
  • A letter stating that they have achieved the award for which they were enrolled as a student.

 

Importance of Third Level Graduate Programme

Ireland’s Third Level Graduate Programme is a key competitive advantage for Irish higher education institutions. This Program attracts many international students. During the years in which the UK tightened its visa and post-study work rights rules for non-EU/EEA students, this Irish program has been the main attraction to those students. The number of new students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) pursuing higher education in Ireland jumped by 45% between 2013 and 2017.

 

International Students in Ireland asked to extend the visa period

A group of international students in Ireland has launched an online petition to ask for further concessions considering the losses due to COVID. They are asking the Irish government to extend the visas of all graduate students for one more year to increase the chances of students being able to obtain employment in Ireland. So, the Department of Justice may extend the visas of thousands of international students who graduated from Irish universities during the pandemic but have failed to secure work in their field of study in Ireland.

 

Conclusion

Ireland has a long-standing reputation for being welcoming to students from across the world. This news of the extension of   Post study work visa rules will give the right to international students across Ireland to enjoy excellent internship and career opportunities in the country. 

 

You may also be interested in the following articles
Stay back and Work Permit after Study in Ireland
Online Degree vs Campus Degree: Which is better?
Corona Virus: Impact on dreams of Indian students to study abroad

Twinkle
About the Author:

Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.

Categories: Ireland

Tags: Study Abroad

Apply Now!