Carrie

I just got back from a 2 1/2 month trip to Europe, spending the last 2 weeks in Ireland. We met several people there who told us how much work is needed there and how easy it is to get a job... Does anyone have any info on where to look and what kind of requirements there are for U.S. citizens in terms of work visas and such... Since the tourist season is well on its way... I think it would be nice to do that for a couple weeks this summer.

Kathleen

It's actually pretty hard for an American to get a work permit for Ireland. I asked around while I was there, and did some checking on my own. If you are a nurse, an architect or in the IT field, your have a better chance of getting a visa. Working 'under the table' doesn't work either--the government keeps a close eye on businesses. Go to 'local.ie' or 'ireland.com' and follow links to the government sites that have more details. Good luck, and if you find a way, let me know!

Kathleen

The website for Ireland government: <BR>www.irlgov.ie

stacey

Try contacting some of the recruitment agencies in Ireland. The only one I know of offhand is www.HRM.ie

Cathy

Carrie, <BR> <BR>The procedure for getting a visa in Ireland is difficult and complex, but here is a brief outline of what you need to do. First of all contact FAS - the government agency responsible for recruiting people to come and work in Ireland. They have a web site accessable via www.irlgov.ie. <BR> <BR>2) Never ever lie on any form. I had a friend who had an idiotic of a girlfriend who did and on her return to Ireland from a European holiday she was told by immigration - out in 30 days please. She had been economical with the truth on her first application some years previously and the Dept of Environment and the Dept of Justice were not happy to be taken for fools and were tracking her. It was only a minor point of truth but enough to annoy the officals. <BR> <BR>3) The procedure is complex in that you must get a job offer first before you can get a visa. The job must have been advertised and the employer must state in support of your application that they could not fill the vacancy with not only an Irish person but an EU citizen. A work permit may only be applied for by an EMPLOYER on behalf of a prospective <BR>employee. You do not apply yourself. This puts a lot of work onto the employer or rather the potential employer - and they will only go to that trouble if you have great qualifications ie your are a Nurse or have great IT qualifications. From receipt of a work permit application, it takes approximately 4 weeks to process an application for a work permit.Once the application has been fully considered a decision will be taken either to issue or refuse in the case concerned. The duration of a work permit can be between one month to one year. The period of validity of a permit will normally begin on the date of commencement of employment and in any case, not exceed one calendar year. Applications for renewal of permits can be made on the expiry of the relevant period. If you change jobs during the year your new employer must apply for a permitt as the first one only applies to your first job. <BR> <BR>You can not work while waiting for a work permit. It must be issued to an employer before the prospective employee can take up an offer of employment. Entering the service of an employer in the State without having a <BR>valid work permit is an offence under Irish law. <BR> <BR>So really the procedure for getting a work visa is complex and difficult and does not encourage people coming for short periods of time. The Gov Dept responsible for issuing the work permitts/visa in the first instance is the Dept of Environment and then if there is any questions or problems further down the line it is the Dept of Justice. <BR> <BR>4) The American Embassey in Dublin (postal address Ballsbridge Dublin 4) is the used to answering queries re working in Ireland. Also contact the Irish Embassey in your own country as they are working with FAS and the Irish Government on recruiting people to come and work in Ireland. <BR> <BR>5)Avoid the recruitment agencies unless you have an IT wizard as they are not interested in going thro'the process for summer/short term work. Best try is via FAS. <BR> <BR>6) Remember living in Dublin Galway etc is very expensive with high rents and a high cost of living. <BR> <BR>Good luck <BR> <BR>Cathy <BR> <BR> <BR>

Cathy

To the top for person asking about working in Ireland, cann't find the post <BR> <BR>C

Ann

There are options, although it's too late for this summer, I believe. Carrie, if you are a student or recent college grad, check out www.ciee.org. It has information on temporary work visas for students in most European countries. I worked in England for one summer with one of their visas. Pretty straightforward application process, as long as you're a student or recent grad. <BR> <BR>The other option is, if you want to go for longer term, is to check out your roots. Ireland offers citizenship to any American with a grandparent born in Ireland (or in Northern Ireland before 1922). It's a long process, so obviously not something you'd do for a summer job, but an Irish passport can be invaluable, as it also allows you to work anywhere in the European Union. I understand the process can take up to a year. <BR> <BR>The Irish Embassy in D.C. will send out the forms you need and answer any questions.