Ireland is allowing international students doing their second semester of education remotely to remain eligible for post-study work rights. This is a temporary adjustment of a key immigration policy affecting international students amid COVID-19. This will protect students’ ability to stay in Ireland upon completion of education to work and will discourage students from travelling back to Ireland while the pandemic is still affecting so many.

International students who are studying online and/or remotely in their second semester of an Irish higher education programme will remain eligible for the Third Level Graduate Programme (1G). This programme allows non-EU/EEA students graduating with a degree from a recognised Irish awarding body to remain in Ireland to look for graduate-level employment for a period of up to 24 months depending on their level of schooling attained. They can then apply for a Green Card (work permit) after 24 months. Students studying remotely in Irish “Level 8” or “Level 9” programmes (including honours bachelor’s, master’s, and post-graduate) can apply until 31 May 2021.

Students will have to meet certain conditions to apply for this program- they should have returned to their home countries due to the pandemic or they have not been able to obtain an appointment because of COVID restrictions. They can submit their applications, along with scans of required documentation, electronically to the Registration Office, Burgh Quay, Dublin. They will be required to register in Ireland when they are able to return to the country.

To be eligible, students need:
A letter from their higher education institution stating that they were a student for the academic year 2020/2021; A letter from their higher education institution stating that this course was taught 100% remotely, and that they were not required to attend classes in person. A letter from the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they were enrolled as a student.

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