Hospital-sector locum medical work under the Atypical Working Scheme
Ireland
Ireland sits in Northern Europe. Its immigration system runs 121 distinct routes — led by free movement, family and work, each set out in official law. All 121 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 121across 18 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 121 of 121cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Free movement20 of the 121 routes — see them under Free movement below
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Capital
- Dublin
- Population
- 5,484,367
- Official language
- English, Irish
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC
Immigration routes
All 121 routes, grouped by purpose — 121 of 121 cite an official government source directly.
Work
14 routes
Nursing work and adaptation or aptitude process for overseas NMBI registration
Paid internship in Ireland that is an integral requirement for graduation from an accredited overseas programme
Short-term specialised highly skilled employment not supported by the ordinary employment-permit system
Employment in Ireland to deliver a qualifying contract for services for an overseas contractor
Employment permit for an eligible dependant, partner or spouse where this permit route applies
Employment under a qualifying international exchange agreement to which Ireland is a party
Employment in an eligible occupation under a General Employment Permit
Paid internship in an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List for an eligible overseas student
Temporary intra-company transfer of senior management or key personnel to the Irish branch
Temporary intra-company transfer of a qualifying trainee to the Irish branch
Return to lawful employment for an eligible foreign national who fell out of the employment-permit system through no fault of their own
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Temporary provision of services in Ireland by a non-EEA worker lawfully employed by an EU employer
Investment
1 route
Ongoing administration of an IIP case approved or already under consideration before closure
Business & self-employment
2 routes
Business or self-employment authorised by an individual ISD permission letter under Stamp 1
Residence to establish an innovative high-potential start-up in Ireland
Talent & merit
3 routes
Highly remunerated employment outside the ineligible occupations list
Skilled employment in an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Research employment in Ireland under a valid Hosting Agreement with an accredited research organisation
Study
13 routes
Study an eligible full-time professional award listed for international students
Study an eligible full-time English-language programme in Ireland
Attend an eligible fee-paying private school in Ireland
Complete an eligible foundation programme linked to a conditional higher-education offer
Study an eligible full-time higher-education programme at NFQ level 10
Study an eligible full-time higher-education programme at NFQ level 6
Study an eligible full-time higher-education programme at NFQ level 7
Study an eligible full-time higher-education programme at NFQ level 8
Study an eligible full-time higher-education programme at NFQ level 9
Full-time paid professional accountancy training under a registered training contract
Attend a short course or study programme in Ireland for no more than 90 days
Post-study Stamp 1G permission for an eligible graduate with an NFQ level 8 award
Post-study Stamp 1G permission for an eligible graduate with an NFQ level 9 or 10 award
Family
19 routes
In-State de facto-partner permission for the partner of an Irish or qualifying non-EEA resident
Residence for a durable de facto partner of an Irish citizen
Family residence for a dependent adult child with a serious medical or psychological condition
Residence for a dependent adult relative of an eligible non-EEA sponsor
Family residence for a dependent parent of an Irish citizen
Residence for a dependent parent or other qualifying adult relative of a UK-national sponsor
Exceptional family-reunification consideration for another dependent relative of an Irish citizen
Family reunification for an unmarried minor child of a protection holder
Family reunification for a qualifying partner under the International Protection Act 2026 procedure
Family reunification for a spouse under the International Protection Act 2026 procedure
Residence for a minor dependent child joining a UK-national parent
Residence for a minor dependent child joining an Irish-citizen parent
Family residence for a minor dependent child of a CSEP or Hosting Agreement holder
Family residence for a minor dependent child under the non-EEA family-reunification policy
Residence for the biological parent involved in the upbringing of an Irish citizen child
Family residence for the legally recognised spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
Family residence for the spouse or de facto partner of a CSEP or Hosting Agreement holder
Residence for the spouse, civil partner or qualifying partner of a UK-national sponsor
Family residence for a spouse or partner under the current non-EEA family-reunification policy
Independent means
3 routes
Residence on Stamp 0 for a person supported entirely by independent means
Residence in Ireland in retirement on independent means and Stamp 0 conditions
Temporary residence as a visiting academic paid from outside Ireland
Residence-based status
5 routes
Long-term residence after 60 months of qualifying employment-permit residence
Stamp 4 transition after qualifying employment under a research Hosting Agreement
Stamp 4 transition after the qualifying period of Critical Skills employment
Stamp 4 transition after five years as a spouse or partner on qualifying Stamp 1G
Stamp 5 permission after 96 months of qualifying legal residence
Free movement
20 routes
Derived residence for a child in education and their primary carer after an EU worker's employment
Certification of permanent residence after five continuous years under EU Treaty rights
Derived residence for the primary carer of a self-sufficient EU-citizen child
Dependent direct relative in the ascending line
Dependent direct descendant aged 21 or older
Direct descendant under 21 of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or their spouse
Durable de facto partner seeking permitted-family-member treatment
Other dependent or household member seeking permitted-family-member treatment
Family member requiring personal care on serious health grounds
Retention of residence after the death of the EU/EEA/Swiss sponsor
Retention of residence after divorce, annulment or civil-partnership dissolution
Retention of residence where custody or court-ordered access conditions are met
Spouse or civil partner of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen exercising Treaty rights
Residence based on job-seeking or retained worker status under EU free-movement law
Residence in Ireland as a self-sufficient EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
Residence in Ireland while exercising EU free-movement rights as a self-employed person
Residence in Ireland as an enrolled EU/EEA/Swiss student with sufficient resources and insurance
Residence in Ireland while exercising EU free-movement rights as a worker
Permanent residence card for a qualifying non-EEA family member after five continuous years
Residence, work and study in Ireland as a British citizen under Common Travel Area rights
Youth mobility
11 routes
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Andorra
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Argentina
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Australia
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Canada
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Chile
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Hong Kong
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Japan
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of New Zealand
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Republic of Korea
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of Taiwan
Extended holiday in Ireland funded through temporary work for an eligible young national of United States
Cultural, religious & volunteer
4 routes
Residence to serve as qualifying religious personnel where services are demonstrably needed
Paid employment in an eligible cultural activity under the Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
Unpaid structured volunteering in arts, heritage or culture with an eligible Irish organisation
Unpaid structured volunteering in eligible religious, youth, health, welfare or community activity
Short stay & visit
10 routes
Eligible travel to Ireland using a BIVS-endorsed UK or Irish visa
Eligible short visit to Ireland by a qualifying UK-visa holder under the waiver programme
Carry out work that starts and ends within one consecutive 14-day period
Attend meetings or conduct permitted business activity without ordinary employment
Attend a conference or event in Ireland
Visit family or friends in Ireland for up to 90 days
Tourism or holiday visit to Ireland for up to 90 days
Attend eligible short occupational or professional training in Ireland
Undertake an eligible unpaid internship in Ireland for less than 90 days
Short visit by a non-visa-required national, subject to border permission
Humanitarian protection
7 routes
Recovery, reflection and temporary residence arrangements for a suspected victim of human trafficking
Independent immigration permission for a person whose status depends on an abusive partner
Time-limited labour-market access for an eligible pending international-protection applicant
Statutory consideration of permission to remain within the single procedure
International protection assessment for refugee status
International protection assessment for subsidiary-protection status
Temporary protection in Ireland for eligible people displaced by the war in Ukraine
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a qualifying non-EEA family member of an Irish citizen who has genuinely exercised EU free-movement rights in another member state and is returning to Ireland.
Medical treatment
1 route
Private medical treatment in Ireland for up to 90 days
Sports
3 routes
Paid participation in a sporting tournament or performance where the event lasts no more than 14 days
Unpaid participation in a sporting competition or tournament during a short visit
Paid employment in an eligible sporting activity under the Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
Transit
1 route
Transit through an Irish port or airport where a transit visa is required
Other & special
3 routes
Residence or activity authorised under a case-specific government, diplomatic or official permission
Visit Ireland to marry or enter a civil partnership
Visit Ireland to sit an examination
Official sources
- Ireland Immigration Service DeliveryGovernment
- Immigration Service DeliveryGovernment
- International Protection OfficeGovernment
- [NSO] Central Statistics Office IrelandGovernment
See which Ireland routes you actually qualify for.
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