International Student RightsYour rights as an International student in Ireland vary depending on your nationality, the duration of your course and also the type of college where you study...
If you are from the EU, you have the same rights as an Irish person regarding your employment. You do not need permission to work in Ireland, but you should apply for a PPS number from your local social welfare office. If you are from outside the EU, you must fulfil a number of conditions to work in Ireland. These are: If you fulfil these conditions, you can then work part-time up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school/college term. During normal holiday periods, you will be allowed to work full-time! However, if you do not fulfil all the requirements, you will not be legally allowed to work in Ireland during your studies. You should also remember that your right to work in Ireland will end when your permission to remain in Ireland for study purposes expires. At this time, you are expected to leave the country unless you have obtained permission to remain for further studies or for some other reason.
As of January 2007, non-EU students who receive a Primary, Masters or Doctorate degree from an Irish third-level institution will be allowed to apply for one non-renewable extension to their current student permission (Stamp 2). This extension is for a six-month period, starting on the date that the person receives their exam results. This scheme allows graduates to seek employment and apply for a Green Card or work permit. During these six months, you are entitled to work full-time.
If you have permission to work in Ireland, you have the same rights in the workplace as every Irish person, regardless of your nationality or immigration status. These include...
If you are a full-time EU student, you are allowed to have your wife/husband and children under 21 living with you in Ireland. In this case, you must have sufficient finances to support your family and you must also have private health insurance for all of your family. If you are a full-time non-European student, you do not have entitlement to family reunification. However, you may apply to Immigration to enable your family to live with you in Ireland. You must also prove that you have sufficient finances to support your family, without requiring help from the Irish government. In addition, you must provide full medical and health insurance for all family members living with you.
If you need to apply for social welfare support in Ireland, you must pass a residency test known as the "habitual residence condition". Anyone who has not been resident in Ireland for two years before making their application may not be entitled to social welfare benefits.
If you are an EU student, you have the right to vote in local and European elections in Ireland if your name is on the Register of Electors. If you are a non-European student and you are resident in Ireland, you are allowed to vote in local elections if your name is entered on the Register of Electors.
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