Ireland guide 路 verified 2026-07-04
Working While Studying in Ireland, and Staying After
Working & staying on
Stamp 2 students can work meaningful part-time hours, and Ireland's post-study offer is genuinely strong: the Third Level Graduate Programme gives Masters/PhD (Level 9 to 10) graduates up to 24 months to find qualified work, with a clear route onward to an employment permit.
Work while studying
Conditional20 hrs/week during term; 40 hrs/week during holidays
Holiday periods are standardised as June, September inclusive and 15 December, 15 January. Applies to Stamp 2 holders on full-time courses listed as eligible on the ILEP or, increasingly, the TrustEd Ireland eligible-programmes list as the transition proceeds through 2026.
Third Level Graduate Programme, Level 8 (Honours Bachelors)
Conditional12 months to seek graduate-level work
Single, non-extendable 12-month permission (Stamp 1G) for Level 8 graduates.
Third Level Graduate Programme, Level 9/10 (Masters/PhD)
ConditionalUp to 24 months (12 months initially, renewable for a further 12)
The second 12-month period is granted on showing genuine job-seeking steps (interviews attended, registration with graduate recruiters, etc.), it is not automatic.
Work rights during the Graduate Programme
Up to 40 hours/week, unrestricted by sector or salary
Full work rights while seeking a graduate role and applying for a General Employment Permit, Critical Skills Employment Permit, or a research hosting agreement.
Work part-time within the term/holiday caps
ConditionalStudents may work up to 20 hours/week during term and up to 40 hours/week in the standardised holiday windows (June, Sept; 15 Dec, 15 Jan). Typical jobs: retail, hospitality, campus roles. Exceeding the cap risks the student's immigration status.
Apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme at graduation
RecommendedAs soon as exam results confirming the award are available (apply within 6 months of receiving results), apply for the Stamp 1G Third Level Graduate Programme permission. Level 8 graduates get a single 12-month period; Level 9/10 (Masters/PhD) graduates get an initial 12 months, renewable for a further 12 on evidence of active job-seeking, up to 24 months total.
When: As soon as final results are confirmed; apply within 6 months of receiving themConvert to an employment permit before the Graduate Programme ends
RecommendedWhile on Stamp 1G, work with the student to secure a qualifying job offer and apply for a General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit (or a research hosting agreement for research roles) before the graduate-permission period expires. This is the actual bridge to longer-term residence in Ireland.
Time spent on the Third Level Graduate Programme counts toward Ireland's overall limit on cumulative student-type permission (commonly cited as 7 years, or 8 years for those who use this scheme at Level 9/10), worth knowing for students who may have already used significant time on earlier courses in Ireland.
Where this fits
This is one step of the full Ireland journey: admission, tests, application, visa, money, arrival and stay-back, every figure cited to an official source.
More on Ireland
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This page is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.