Working holidays in Ireland

Young people from certain countries (see below) can apply for a working holiday authorisation to come to Ireland for up to 1 year (up to 2 years for Canadians).

Ireland’s working holiday agreements with other governments allow young people of both countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work.

Places are limited and you cannot apply if you are already in Ireland.

If your application is successful, you must register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland.

Applications for this scheme are made through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Find out how to apply here : www.dfa.ie

Do not apply via the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) if you are a citizen of Taiwan,

Applications by citizens of Taiwan are dealt with by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).

The period for making applications for the 2025 Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) Programme will open at 09.00 Taipei time on 01/11/2024.

Applications for the 2025 programme will be processed in one batch at the end of 2024, and the following rules will apply:

Applications will be processed in the chronological order in which they are received. The first 400 eligible applications that are received during the application period beginning in November 2024 will be issued WHA at the beginning of 2025. A 2025 WHA will allow you to commence your 12 month working holiday to Ireland at any time during 2025.

Please note: Travel to Ireland should not be booked until confirmation of WHA has been received.

Applications for WHAs for young people who are holders of a Taiwanese passport are being accepted for processing by Irish Immigration Service (IIS). This Working Holiday Programme is intended for use by young adults who wish to stay in Ireland for an extended holiday, and is designed to promote an appreciation of culture and way of life. The initiative provides for an annual quota of 400 WHAs.

The holder of an authorisation is permitted to engage in casual employment as an incidental aspect of their visit to Ireland. The authorisation will not confer the right to seek employment on anyone other than the named holder. The holder is also permitted to pursue short study courses for a period of no longer than six months. Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves for at least the initial part of the holiday or in the event of failing to secure employment. Immigration officials may request evidence of sufficient funds at the point of entry into Ireland. Successful applicants must obtain private medical insurance to cover any costs incurred in the event of an accident or illness while in Ireland.

To avoid any risk of misunderstanding or unrealistic expectations, applicants are advised that the market for short term casual work in Ireland is highly competitive and is adequately supplied from the large number of school leavers and other young Irish and EU nationals looking for work.

Notwithstanding the issue of a WHA, applicants will be subject to normal immigration controls at the point of entry. All holders of an authorisation who wish to remain in Ireland for more than 90 days must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and pay the applicable registration fee. If residing in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick please contact 1800 800 630.

If registering outside of the above mentioned counties, please contact [email protected].