Irish Immigration Schemes

In the past couple of years Ireland has introduced few very attractive immigration schemes to attract foreign (NON EU) investment and skills. I will update the pathways for the students already in Ireland or perspective students planning to move to Ireland for Third level or higher education. 

1. Green Card Scheme
2. Highly Skilled Job Interview Authorization
3. Atypical Work Scheme
4. Scientific Researcher
5. Immigration Investor Programme
6. Start-up Entrepreneur Programme

Schemes 1 - 4 are work professionals / researchers to work in Ireland and 5-6 are for the purpose of Business. The details of these schemes can be found on Irish Naturalization and Immigration Services website, I will just provide a brief summary for each.

1. Green Card Scheme

         The scheme is best suited for the professionals who have the required qualifications and skills to match the Skills Shortage List or Highly Skilled Job List published by the the department of jobs and enterprise.Key features of this scheme are;

• No need for Labour Market Test for Green Card Applications i.e. (The Labor Market Test bounds an employer to publish a vacancy with public employment services for atleast 2 weeks and a national newspaper for 3 weeks, also in a local newspaper and job website for 3 days. If a suitable Irish or EU/EEA candidate has not been identified by the employment services only then (after a review) the employer will be allowed to hire a NonEU/EEA national.
• The candidate need to have a job offer with a title which is mentioned in the Skills Shortage List, 24 months contract and a salary of atleast €30,000.
• The application can be forwarded either by the employer or the employee and there is a fee of €1000 for a period of 2 years if the application is successful.

Best suited for Tech companies and Tech professionals. Its hassle free once you have all the required documentation.

    2.  Highly Skilled Job Interview Authorization

This is a new scheme effective from July 2013. The purpose of the scheme is to enable the employers to conduct an Interview of a Non EU national in the state for a Highly Skilled Job position. Key features and benefits of the scheme for employers and candidates are;

• Employers can meet and have a face to face interview with the perspective candidate.
• The interviewee/candidate entering the state will have a permission to remain for 90 days.
• An Interview Invitation is required from an employer in order to enter the state.
• If the interviewee is successful, an application for Green Card can be launched, the successful candidate does not have to leave the state.(however, the application should be launched within the 90 days of the date of entry of the interviewee / candidate)
• Documentation: A Valid passport, invitation letter from employer,proof of sufficient funds for the stay and medical insurance is required for the visa application under this scheme.

    3.  Atypical Work Scheme

This scheme is introduced to facilitate the requirement where there is a requirement for temporary / short term employment in sector mentioned in the Highly Skilled Occupation/Job List. Key features of this scheme are;

• Applies to Non EU nationals
• Applies where a company based in Ireland requires work for a position from a Non EU/EEA national where skill shortage has been identified.
• Applies where an Non EU individual has to provide specialized or high skilled training to an Industry, business or academic institution.
• To facilitate internship/short term employment for students undergoing a 3rd Level Course outside the state. ( The course and internship should be relevant to Highly Skilled Occupation List).
• Documentation: A valid passport and letter of approval from INIS.

    4.  Immigrant Investor Programme

The programme is for NonEU individuals and their families. The key features of the Scheme are ;

• A once off endowment of a minimum of €500,000 to a public project benefiting the arts, sports, health, culture or education. (The endowment figure is reduced to €400,000 per person where 5 or more individuals pool their endowment for one appropriate project).  
• A minimum of €500,000 in a new or existing Irish Business.
• Successful investors will get a residence permission for 5 years.(Initially 2 and then 3 years)

   5.  Start-up Entrepreneur Programme

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme is for the Non EU residents who have High Potential Startup Plan (HPSU) or business. The Key features of this immigration scheme are;

• A High Potential Startup Business Plan or existing business.
• The business plan will be reviewed by the experts in Ireland to analyse the potential of the plan
• Show proof of a funding worth €75,000.
• The business should be capable of creating 10 jobs and €1 million sales withing 4 to 5 years of the startup.

There are more details to these immigration schemes. One of the most import thing in applying for any type of visa is the DOCUMENTATION. The documents should be valid and complete. An analysis shows that most of the visa applications are refused due to the carelessness in the supporting documentation.