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Internship Employment Permit

Study 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

28-56 days

Application Fee

1,960 EUR

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Overview

Short-term work permit for foreign third-level students completing a required Irish internship on the Critical Skills Occupations List.

This permit is for full-time students at foreign universities to undertake internships in Ireland. The role must be on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List. It is a non-renewable permit valid for up to 12 months.

Fee Breakdown

Permit Fee (Short)	500 EUR
Permit Fee (Long)	1,000 EUR
Visa Fee (Single)	60 EUR
Visa Fee (Multiple)	100 EUR
IRP Registration Fee	300 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

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

Ireland

GEP — General Employment Permit

ValidityUp to 24 months

Processing2-3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Full-time student (including postgraduate) enrolled at a third-level institution outside Ireland

Course of study substantially or wholly concerned with identified skills shortages

Internship must relate to a role on the Critical Skills Occupations List

Internship must be a required component of the course of study

Must return to the institution outside Ireland at the end of the internship

Employer must be registered with Revenue and currently trading in Ireland

Employer must have at least 50% EEA nationals in its workforce at application time

Application must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Income

28,696 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Letter from home university

Employment contract

Proof of enrollment

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Up to 12 months in Ireland for a study-required internship
No Labour Market Needs Test required for internship permits
Hands-on professional experience in roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Lower €500 fee for permits of 6 months or less
Can later convert to Critical Skills or General Employment Permit
Petitioner workload sits with the employer, not the student

Worth Knowing

Non-renewable — maximum 12 months and must leave Ireland after the internship
Requires an internship offer that is integral to your course of study
Employer must be Revenue-registered with ≥50% EEA staff
Apply at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date
Annual income threshold of €28,696 applies
Role is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Not a full-time student at a third-level institution outside Ireland
Internship is not a required component of your course

Application Process

Secure a qualifying internship offer with an eligible Irish employer

Apply at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS)

Pay processing fee (€500 for ≤6 months, €1,000 for 6–12 months)

Respond to any DETE requests for additional information within 28 days

If visa-required, apply for an Irish entry visa via AVATS

On arrival, register with Immigration Service Delivery and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

Application Forms

EPOS Online System

Fill online

Verified Claims (20)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Secure a qualifying internship offer with an eligible Irish employer; Apply at least 12 weeks before…	enterprise.gov.ie
Application Steps	Secure a qualifying internship offer with an eligible Irish employer; Apply at least 12 weeks before…	enterprise.gov.ie
Application Steps	Secure a qualifying internship offer with an eligible Irish employer; Apply at least 12 weeks before…	enterprise.gov.ie
Application Steps	Secure a qualifying internship offer with an eligible Irish employer; Apply at least 12 weeks before…	enterprise.gov.ie
Forms · 0 · name	Employment Permits Online System (EPOS)	enterprise.gov.ie
Forms · 0 · name	Employment Permits Online System (EPOS)	enterprise.gov.ie
Forms · 0 · name	Employment Permits Online System (EPOS)	enterprise.gov.ie
Forms · 0 · name	Employment Permits Online System (EPOS)	enterprise.gov.ie

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