Volunteer Permission — religious, youth, health or community support

The work you do as a volunteer must be a structured activity that is undertaken in an approved sector, including (but not limited to): Arts, heritage, culture Out of school education and youth services Religious and faith-based support activities Health support services Sport and physical recreation Welfare and work for the community good, for no financial gain by you, and for the benefit of society, while also bringing benefits to you as a volunteer.

Are aged 18 or older Are a non EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen Have been offered volunteering work by an eligible organisation Can be fully supported financially for the entire duration of your stay by the organisation that is inviting you to Ireland Are qualified and able to do the activities expected of you

You must be invited to Ireland by an eligible organisation . An eligible organisation may be either: A non-governmental, not-for-profit, voluntary or charitable body that is already established and active in the State and listed on the Charities Regulator’s Public Register of Charities or A sports organisation that is already established and active in the State and whose national governing body is recognised by Sport Ireland . The eligible organisation that invites you to Ireland is your ‘sponsor’. Your sponsor has important obligations and is responsible for you in several ways. Sponsorship also means that the eligible organisation undertakes: To cooperate with the immigration authorities to ensure that the volunteer leaves the State on the expiry of his or her permission or By withdrawing the sponsorship if directed to do so by immigration authorities. Failure to cooperate with immigration authorities in this regard will impact on future sponsorship by that eligible organisation. Before you apply, your sponsor must send you a sponsorship letter and supporting documents. You must submit these documents as part of your application. Note: You will not be granted permission if you do not have sponsorship from an eligible organisation, or if you are sponsored by an organisation that does not match the criteria above.

The letter of sponsorship must include the full contact details for the organisation, the name and phone number of a contact within the organisation, the charity number and tax number of the organisation. The letter must also state: Your intended role in the State Why you are needed for the stated volunteer position How you are suitably qualified to volunteer in this role That you have a clean police record

Evidence of your qualifications and/or work/volunteer experience must be provided: Clear colour copies of qualifications should be supplied Letters from previous employers with details of job title, duties, and dates of employment/volunteering should be submitted A CV/resume is not considered evidence of work/volunteer experience.

A description of the type of volunteer work you intend to accept in Ireland, and the locations of this work. You must tell us what you will do in each location Details of your qualifications and previous work/volunteer history and how you are qualified to do this work

Your sponsor will have to provide confirmation that they have obtained Garda Síochána vetting for you if you will be working in a role involving children and/or vulnerable adults. A Garda Vetting certificate will need to be submitted as part of your application. If Garda Vetting is not submitted, then there must be a clear written undertaking from the sponsoring organisation, in the sponsorship letter accompanying the application, that you will have no involvement with children or vulnerable adults during the course of your work in Ireland.

With this permission you cannot: Do paid work of any kind

Rely on public services or claim any state benefits, for example: health services, education

How they intend to support you in the State, with a full breakdown of all payments to you that must include the amount of indirect payments to you (for example, rent/bills) and direct payments (for example an allowance) It must also include a list of the day to day expenses you will experience and who will be covering these expenses (for example, travel, meals, phone, utilities)

You must be financially supported by the sponsoring organisation within Ireland, financial support from sources outside the State will not be accepted as part of this scheme.

If your accommodation is being provided by your sponsor, your sponsor must provide full details of the type of accommodation you will stay in.

13. As a Volunteer you may: 1. work for your sponsor in the activity described in yourapplication; 2. travel abroad for short periods for example holidays, attendingconferences and return to the State subject to re-entry visa requirements where applicable; 3. seek one change of sponsor in any 12-month period - youneed to make an application to ISD in this regard. 14. As a Volunteer you may not: 1. change sponsors more than once in any 12-month permissionperiod while in the State under this Scheme; 2. engage in paid employment in any capacity while in the State; 3 3. claim any State benefits, or rely on public funds for services,including medical, health education or other social services; 4. bring any family members with you; 5. apply to change your immigration status while in the State; 6. spend more than two years on aggregate volunteering in theState; other than when a third year extension is permitted with the same sponsor.

15. Applicants should also remember: 1. The initial permitted period of residence under this Scheme is 1 year (12 months) and the maximum is 2 years (24 months).You may, for example, spend 24 consecutive months in the State or break the period into two separate lots of 12 months each, separated by time. 2. Your application (other than for a change of sponsor) underthis Scheme must be made from outside the State. 3. You must be covered by private medical insurance, from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority for theduration of your time in the State. Your sponsor may include you in their group insurance scheme. Travel insurance may suffice but only during the first year of your stay provided it covers you:- 3.1. for the full period before you arrange medicalinsurance, 3.2. at a minimum of €25,000 for accident and €25,000 forillness and disease, and 3.3. for any period of hospitalisation. 3.4. In addition, it is advisable that applicants have insurance to cover repatriation in the event of seriousillness or unforeseen events. 4. You will not be entitled to claim any State benefits. 5. As a volunteer, you may be eligible for one extension of the period beyond 24 months, to an aggregate total of 36 months.Any application for a third year extension must be made before your current permission expires. It will only be for volunteer service with your current sponsor and will be considered only if your sponsor can demonstrate a genuine need. 6. No further application under this Scheme will be permitted if aperson has completed, or is about to complete in the aggregate, 36 months volunteering in the State. 7. A change of sponsor, if accepted, does not alter the overall maximum period for which permission under the Scheme willbe given. 8. A non-refundable fee, on first application, of €100 applies to this application. This fee is in addition to the fees in respect ofa Visa, if you are from a visa- required country, and in respect of registration. The application fee must be paid by the applicant at the time of application. 9. An application for a change of sponsor during any 12 month period, or for a second year, requires a non-refundable fee of €50.

19. If you are seeking a permitted change of sponsor, or extension (withthe same sponsor) for year 3, you may apply in Ireland.