About this visa
6 Easy Steps to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Ireland
Live in beautiful green Ireland for up to one year if you are young travelers from Australia and New Zealand. Young Canadians have the opportunity to work and travel up to two years!
COVID-19 UPDATE:
EU countries are starting to reopen their borders to international travelers. However, before heading off to Europe be sure to double check with the country's Embassy or Consulate in your home country as the EU countries are not legally bound to follow this new EU recommendation.
Participating countries
Ireland has made Working Holiday visa agreements with the following 3 participating countries:
If you are a Citizen of Ireland and are considering a Working Holiday experience in one of the participating countries above, contact the Embassy of the country in question for more information.
With this visa you can
This visa allows you to:
- Live in Ireland up to one year (two years if you are Canadian)
- Work for one employer for 6 months
- Visit other European countries within the Schengen Zone
- Re-enter after travelling overseas
Things to note
You must remember to register for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Registration Card. You should apply for this card as soon as possible after arrival, either through the GNIB office at 13/14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 (for residents of Dublin) or through your local Garda (police) station outside Dublin.
Conditions
- Be aged between 18-30 years old (18-35 years old if you are Canadian)
- Have a valid Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport
- Pay the processing fee
- Have a travel insurance which covers the length of the visa
- Proof of enough fund to support your stay (Min CAD$2,500 for Canadians, NZD 3,000 for New Zealanders and AUD 5,000 – or AUD2,500 if you have a return ticket to Australia)
- You must not be accompanied or joined by a spouse or dependents
Note: The visa conditions outlined above are subject to change without notice.
How to apply
- Normal processing time: 10 working days
- Visa fee: 95 AUD (195 AUD for 5 days processing period) For Canadians the fee is $150
- Collect the required visa documents. See the checklist for Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians
- Fill in your application form
- The completed form, with supporting documents, fee and photos, should be sent by registered mail or courier to the Embassy of Ireland, 20 Arkana St, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (For Australians) Canadians must apply directly to Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa. Applications from New Zealand citizens are processed through the Honorary Consulate General of Ireland in Auckland
The immigration authority in Ireland for processing Working Holiday visa's is Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland.
Go to: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland
Need more help?
If you are seeking advice about Working Holiday visa's drop a comment below and we will be happy to answer any Working Holiday & Youth Mobility visa question you have! We are travellers too! 🙂
I am a New Zealand citizen age 34 . Can I qualify for Ireland working authorization program. Thanks
Hi! I am a New Zealander looking to do a working holiday in Ireland however I know that with Covid, Ireland isn’t accepting visas from everyone yet. Is there a way of knowing when Ireland will begin accepting visa applications from New Zealanders again? Thanks!
Ho, I am an Italian citizen currently working in Canada. My husband is Canadian and we would like to move Ireland. He is currently 33. Does he qualify to the this visa? What does ‘You must not be accompanied or joined by a spouse or dependents’ mean? He can’t be married or we should enter the country separately? thank you
Hi Gaia,
Thank you for your question. We are sorry about the late reply!
Yes, your husband is eligible for the working holiday visa. The max age for applying is 35 years old.
Regarding the comment ‘You must not be accompanied or joined by a spouse or dependents’ it means that only he can use this visa.
As you are an EU citizen, you can live in Ireland without a visa. You can travel together into the country 🙂
Cheers,
Maria
Hi. I’m actually already in Ireland with my Working Holiday VISA, from Australia. I was just wondering why we are only allowed to work for an employer for only 6 months and is that a strict rule?
Thanks (: