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Exchange Agreement Employment Permit

Working Holiday PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 months

Estimated Cost

€360–€400 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

1 year

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Non-renewable 12-month employment permit for non-EEA nationals on prescribed international exchanges such as AIESEC, IAESTE, Fulbright, or Vulcanus in Ireland.

The Exchange Agreement Employment Permit (EAEP) authorises non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland under specific international or reciprocal agreements to which the State is a party. Current qualifying agreements include AIESEC, IAESTE, the Fulbright Programme, the St Joseph's University-UCC/Bord Bia exchange, and the Vulcanus in Europe Programme.

Permits are issued for the length of the placement, capped at 12 months under every listed agreement, and are non-renewable. There is no permit fee; visa-required nationals also pay EUR 60 single-entry (EUR 100 multi-entry) and EUR 300 for IRP registration. Applications go via the Employment Permits Online portal at least 12 weeks before start; current backlog is roughly 12 weeks.

This visa is ideal for students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals selected for a structured placement under a prescribed exchange scheme where the experience is the goal.

Cost Breakdown

Permit Fee€0 EUR

Visa Fee (Single)€60 EUR

Visa Fee (Multiple)€100 EUR

IRP Registration Fee€300 EUR

Total€360–€400 EUR

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

CSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit

Ireland

CSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit

ValidityDuration of contract

Processing2–4 weeks

View Visa Details

Ireland

GEP — General Employment Permit

ValidityUp to 24 months

Processing2–3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Non-EEA national coming under specific international exchange agreements

Must have a valid job offer

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Income

28,696 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Signed employment contract

Evidence of exchange agreement participation

Passport

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No permit application fee under the official DETE fee schedule
Either the foreign national or the employer can lodge the application via EPOS
Holders may transfer to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit within the first 12 months
Facilitates structured cultural and professional exchange under recognised programmes such as Fulbright and Vulcanus
Permit is issued directly to the foreign national, who keeps a copy of the authorisation

Worth Knowing

Capped at 12 months and explicitly non-renewable under every listed exchange agreement
Restricted to the specific occupation and location named on the permit
Current processing backlog is roughly 12 weeks; submit at least 12 weeks before the start date
Visa-required nationals must also obtain an entry visa (EUR 60/100) and register for IRP (EUR 300) on arrival
Not enrolled in a currently-prescribed exchange agreement (AIESEC, IAESTE, Fulbright, UCC/Bord Bia, or Vulcanus)
No signed contract or confirmed placement with an Irish host employer

Application Process

Secure job offer

Apply via EPOS

Apply for entry visa if required

Register for IRP

Application Forms

EPOS Online System

Fill online

Verified Claims (7)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Forms · 0 · url

https://employmentpermits.enterprise.gov.ie/

employmentpermits.enterprise.gov.ie

Max Stay

12 months

enterprise.gov.ie

Max Stay Estimate

type: days, initialDays: 365

enterprise.gov.ie

Max Total Years

enterprise.gov.ie

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":77,"maxDays":84}

enterprise.gov.ie

Processing Time

~12 weeks (current backlog)

enterprise.gov.ie

Renewable

false

enterprise.gov.ie

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Overview

Non-renewable 12-month employment permit for non-EEA nationals on prescribed international exchanges such as AIESEC, IAESTE, Fulbright, or Vulcanus in Ireland.

This visa is ideal for students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals selected for a structured placement under a prescribed exchange scheme where the experience is the goal.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No permit application fee under the official DETE fee schedule
Either the foreign national or the employer can lodge the application via EPOS
Holders may transfer to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit within the first 12 months
Facilitates structured cultural and professional exchange under recognised programmes such as Fulbright and Vulcanus
Permit is issued directly to the foreign national, who keeps a copy of the authorisation

Worth Knowing

Capped at 12 months and explicitly non-renewable under every listed exchange agreement
Restricted to the specific occupation and location named on the permit
Current processing backlog is roughly 12 weeks; submit at least 12 weeks before the start date
Visa-required nationals must also obtain an entry visa (EUR 60/100) and register for IRP (EUR 300) on arrival
Not enrolled in a currently-prescribed exchange agreement (AIESEC, IAESTE, Fulbright, UCC/Bord Bia, or Vulcanus)
No signed contract or confirmed placement with an Irish host employer