🇮🇪Visa options for Ireland
Ireland offers 47 visa types across 8 categories — from skilled-worker and study visas to family, investment, digital-nomad, and permanent-residency pathways. 22 lead to PR; 37 don't require a job offer. Here's every Ireland visa tracked by VisaMatch.
47visa types
8categories
22PR pathways
37no job needed
Check which Ireland visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in Ireland
All Ireland visa types
Work (15)
Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) Work - Employment Permit
Short-term contract work and locum professionals (up to 90 days, no permit needed)
Au Pair Visa/Permit Work - Specialized
Au pair childcare work (EU/EEA exempt; non-EU need visa + permit)
Contract for Services Employment Permit (CFSE) Work - Employment Permit
Contracted service delivery work for Irish company (6+ months with contractor)
High-qualification workers on Critical Skills List with degree or higher qualification
Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit (DPSEP) Work - Employment Permit
Family members of CSEP holders (adult children, dependent parents)
Exchange Agreement Employment Permit (EAEP) Work - Employment Permit
International bilateral and reciprocal agreement employment exchanges
General Employment Permit (GEP) Work - Employment Permit
General employment for all occupations (not excluded), 12-month contract required
Internship Employment Permit (IEP) Work - Employment Permit
Student internships and work experience placements (maximum 12 months)
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit (ICT) Work - Employment Permit
Multinational corporate transfers - senior managers, specialists, and trainees
Long Stay D - Employment Visa
Employment in Ireland requiring an employment permit (Critical Skills, General, ICT, etc.)
Minister of Religion Visa/Permit Work - Specialized
Religious workers and clergy from eligible faith communities in Ireland
Reactivation Employment Permit (REP) Work - Employment Permit
Previously documented workers returning to employment in Ireland
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit (SCEP) Work - Employment Permit
Sports and cultural workers, athletes, and performers in Ireland
Volunteer Visa/Permit Work - Specialized
Volunteer work with eligible non-profit and charitable organizations
Working Holiday Visa/Permit Work - Specialized
Working holiday for young people from approved countries (Australia, Canada, NZ, Japan, S.
Residence Permit (10)
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 1
Employment/Business Permission - work or operate business in Ireland
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 1G
Dependent Minor Employment Permission - work for dependent children (16+) of permit holders
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 1H
Full-time Non-Locum Doctor Permission - work for full-time non-locum doctors
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 2
Study Permission - full-time study at eligible Irish institutions
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 3
Visitor Permission - temporary residence (tourism, medical, dependent of permit holder)
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 4
Long-term Residence/Permanent Permission - unrestricted residence, work, and study rights
Irish Residence Permit (IRP) - Stamp 4 EUFAM
EU Family Member Permission - non-EEA family of EU/EEA citizens with unrestricted rights
Long Stay D - General Residence Visa Residence
General long-term residence in Ireland for various purposes
Long Stay D - Retired Person Visa Residence
Retire in Ireland with sufficient independent passive income (€50,000/year per person)
Long-Term Residence Permit
5+ years legal continuous residence in Ireland with stable residency status
Family (7)
Long Stay D - Join Family Visa (De Facto Partner)
Join non-married long-term partner in Ireland (2+ years cohabitation required)
Long Stay D - Join Family Visa (Dependent Adult Relative)
Bring dependent elderly parents or dependent adult children to Ireland
Long Stay D - Join Family Visa (Dependent Child)
Bring non-EEA dependent children to live with sponsoring parent in Ireland
Long Stay D - Join Family Visa (Spouse/Civil Partner)
Join Irish citizen or non-EEA spouse/civil partner in Ireland
Long Stay D - Non-EEA Family Member of EU Citizen Visa
Join EU/EEA citizen family member in Ireland (spouse, partner, child, dependent parent)
Short Stay C - EU Citizen Family Visit Visa
Visit EU/EEA citizen family members residing in Ireland Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available — applicants must sub…
Visit Family/Friend Visa
Visit Irish, EU, or EEA citizen family members or friends in Ireland
Study & Training (4)
Long Stay D - Study Visa Education
Full-time degree courses, diplomas, and academic programs exceeding 3 months
Researcher Hosting Agreement Education - Research
Academic and research work at eligible Irish research institutions
Short Stay C - Exam Visa Education
Sit required professional or academic exams in Ireland Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available — applicants must subm…
Short Stay C - Study Visa Education
Short-term study courses (less than 3 months) at recognized Irish institutions Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer availabl…
Visitor & Transit (4)
Re-entry Visa (SUSPENDED) Travel Document
Previously required for IRP card holders traveling temporarily - NOW SUSPENDED (IRP holders no longer need re-entry visa)
Short Stay C - Transit Visa Transit
Transit through Ireland en route to another country (maximum 48 hours) Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available — appl…
Short Stay C - Visit/Tourist Visa Visitor/Tourist
Tourism, sightseeing, and leisure visits to Ireland for up to 90 days Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available — appli…
Travel Document for Non-EEA Family Member Travel Document
Travel document issued in lieu of passport for non-EEA family members of EU/EEA citizens
Humanitarian & Protection (3)
International Protection/Refugee Status Humanitarian
Asylum and refugee protection for persons fleeing persecution
Irish Born Child Residence Permit Humanitarian
Residence permit for parent/guardian of Irish-born child (primary caregiver)
Permission to Remain (Non-Refugee) Humanitarian
Humanitarian protection on non-refugee grounds (International Protection refused)
Investment & Business (3)
Long Stay D - Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) Visa Business
Establish innovative business in Ireland (€50,000+ funding, job creation target)
Short Stay C - Business Visitor Visa Business
Business meetings, conferences, and negotiations (max 14 days active work permitted) Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer av…
Short Stay C - Conference/Event Visa Business
Attend conferences, symposiums, academic events, and exhibitions in Ireland Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available —…
Special Status (1)
Short Stay C - Medical Treatment Visa Medical
Private medical treatment/procedures unavailable in home country Since 1 June 2026, appeals for rejected short-stay (Type C) visa applications are no longer available — applicants…
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Ireland
How many visa types does Ireland offer?
Ireland offers 47 visa types across 8 categories — covering work, study, family, investment, and permanent-residency pathways.
Can I move to Ireland without a job offer?
Yes — 37 of Ireland's 47 visa types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include points-based skilled visas, investor and entrepreneur visas, digital-nomad and remote-worker visas, study visas, and family-sponsored pathways.
Does Ireland offer a pathway to permanent residency?
Yes. 22 of Ireland's visa types lead — directly or indirectly — to permanent residency. PR typically requires meeting time-in-country, income, language, and eligibility thresholds specific to each visa.
Which Ireland visa is right for me?
It depends on your goal. Employment-based visas suit skilled workers with qualifications and experience; family visas fit those with a spouse or close relative in Ireland; investor and golden visas target entrepreneurs with capital; study visas cover education; digital-nomad and retirement visas suit remote workers and retirees. VisaMatch checks your profile against every Ireland visa in seconds.
How do I check my eligibility for Ireland?
Use VisaMatch's free eligibility checker. Enter your nationality, age, occupation, income, and education, then select Ireland. You'll see every Ireland visa you qualify for, with links to the official government source for each.
Ireland in depth
Air qualityGoodAQI 12
ClimateTemperate maritimeMild and wet year-round with few temperature extremes.
Infrastructure7.5/10Good roads and healthcare; housing and transit are strained by rapid growth.
Cost of living85Index, NYC = 100
SafetySafeLow violent crime, generally very safe.
Internet75 MbpsGood
Political stabilityStableStable parliamentary democracy with strong EU and US ties.
Inflation2.3%Purchasing power index 78
Immigrant friendliness3.9/5The Critical Skills Employment Permit offers a fast, clear pathway for in-demand roles.
Income tax40%Top marginal rate on income above EUR 44,000 (single, no dependent children); higher thresholds apply for married couples
Median salaryEUR 44,816/yr
Healthcare accessMixed public/private (HSE-administered)Conditional — non-EEA employment permit holders who are 'ordinarily resident' (generally intending to stay over a year) can apply for a Medical Card or GP Visit Card, with eligibility income-tested; those not meeting residency/income tests pay for services or rely on private health insurance
Best-performing job sectors
Tech — +6% YoY, EU HQ for major US firms
Pharma — +5% YoY, major manufacturing hub
Finance — +4% YoY, Dublin's IFSC
Curated research pass, sourced per field (tax, salary, healthcare and legal figures cite an official or named source) — not live data. Refreshed periodically, not real-time.
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