US-Ireland Working Holiday Agreement
1. I want to apply to travel to Ireland under a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA). Is it possible currently to do so?
Processing of applications under the Working Holiday Authorisation programme in the US and Canada has now resumed.
2. I submitted a WHA application before the outbreak of COVID19. What has happened to my application?
Applications which have been submitted since March 2020 will be reviewed and you will be contacted once your application has been processed. If you wish to withdraw your application, please contact us. Due to the backlog incurred during the COVID-19 period, we ask for your patience.
3. I am currently in Ireland under the WHA programme. Will my permission to remain be extended?
In light of the uncertainties caused by COVID-19, the Department of Justice has announced several general extensions of all permissions to remain in Ireland, including permissions related to the WHA. On 14 September 2021, the Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, James Browne TD, announced a final temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 15 January 2022. This means that anyone in Ireland on a WHA which expires on a date up until 15 January 2022 will be permitted to remain until 15 January. This extension is also valid for those whose WHAs were previously extended.
The terms and conditions as outlined in the WHA application form state clearly that participants in the WHA scheme must leave Ireland on the expiration of the permission. As such, we strongly advise all WHA holders to make all necessary arrangements to depart Ireland in adequate time in advance of the expiry of their permission to remain. Please note that we are not anticipating any further extension of permission to remain.
4. I was issued with a WHA letter before the pandemic but never travelled to Ireland. Can I still travel on this?
If you received a letter of authorisation but never travelled to Ireland due to the pandemic please contact us and we will re-issue a new, valid WHA. You will need to provide your passport to prove that you did not enter into Ireland.
5. I no longer meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a WHA but I was fully eligible when I originally applied. Will my application be granted?
We will strive to accommodate applicants who were fully eligible when they applied but who may no longer meet the requirements, on an exceptional basis.
6. I travelled to Ireland but then returned to my home country very shortly afterwards due to the pandemic. I did not obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or make full use of my WHA, can you issue me with a new, valid WHA?
We will consider applications from those who are in this situation on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss.
7. I received my Irish Residence Permit in Ireland before returning to my normal country and it has now expired. Can I apply for a second WHA?
Applications for a second WHA cannot be accepted in the case where an IRP was already issued.
8. I applied for a WHA but would like to withdraw my application. Will I be refunded?
The application fee is for processing purposes and is non-refundable. Please notify the relevant mission if you wish to withdraw your application.
9. Can I transition from a WHA to another form of permission?
The terms and conditions as outlined in the application form state clearly that participants in the WHA scheme must leave Ireland on the expiration of the permission, which cannot be extended.
- Eligibility
- How to apply (US citizens only)
- On arrival in Ireland
- Frequently asked questions
- Information for Irish applicants
Eligibility
Eligibility
Any US citizen, over the age of 18, who:
a) is currently in full-time (i.e. not part time or online) post-secondary (i.e. post high school) education, inside or outside the US, leading to an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree, or;
b) is currently in full-time (i.e. not part time or online) post-secondary (i.e. post high school) education, inside or outside the US, leading to certificate/diploma leading to a degree described at a) above, or;
c) has graduated from a programme of study described at a) or b) above within the 12 months prior to receipt of their application by the relevant Consulate/Embassy
may be considered eligible for the programme as long as they meet all other requirements. See “how to apply” tab for further details.
How to apply (US citizens only)
How to apply (US citizens only)
NB These instructions refer to US participants only. Irish citizens who wish to avail of the provisions of the Working Holiday Agreement to travel to the US should consult the websites of the US Embassy in Dublin and/or the US Department of State for more information about the Intern Work and Travel Pilot Program with Ireland (a.k.a. Intern work/travel: Irish).
US citizens wishing to travel to Ireland under the terms of the Agreement may apply for a US Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) directly through the relevant Consulate General or Embassy.
Note: All commercial suppliers of assistance with the application should be treated with due caution. The Embassy and Irish Consulates are not represented by these commercial suppliers and do not vouch for their services.
The application process consists of two stages.
Stage 1:
The applicant must submit the following documentation to the relevant Consulate General or Embassy:
- A completed and signed Application for a working holiday authorisation -WHA
- A photocopy of the applicant’s United States passport valid for at least a full year after ticketed date of entry
- 2 recent identical passport-sized photographs with applicant’s name on the reverse;
- Current CV/résumé (with at least 2 references)
- Evidence that the applicant is currently in full-time post-secondary education, or has graduated within the 12 months prior to receipt of their application (see Eligibility tab) e.g. diploma, or if a degree or diploma has not yet been conferred, applicants can submit another form of proof such as their official transcripts or a letter from their university, to show that they graduated within the 12 months prior to receipt of their application by the Consulate/Embassy, or that they are still studying. In all cases original documents should be provided. These will be returned to you.
- Original bank statement showing that you have access to at least $4,000;
- The relevant non-refundable fee (see below) payable by money order, cashier's cheque or bank draft made out to the relevant Embassy/Consulate only. Please note that the postage costs are based on the average postage costs for the region covered by each office.
|
Office |
Fee |
Return Postage |
Total |
|
Consulate General of Ireland, New York (processes applications from US citizens resident in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North & South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Ohio) |
$339 |
$13 |
$352 |
|
Consulate General of Ireland, Boston (processes applications from US citizens resident in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) |
$339 |
$15 |
$354 |
|
Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago (processes applications from US citizens resident in Alabama, Arkansas, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin) |
$339 |
$13 |
$352 |
|
Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco (processes applications from US citizens resident in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) |
$339 |
$21 |
$360 |
|
Embassy of Ireland, Washington (processes applications from US citizens resident in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Puerto Rico and West Virginia) |
$339 |
$21 |
$360 |
Once the Embassy or Consulate has received and is satisfied with the documentation above, the application will be approved in principle and the applicant notified. The application then proceeds to stage 2.
Stage 2:
The applicant must then submit the following documentation to the relevant Consulate General or Embassy:
- Return airline tickets; [see FAQ tab on airline tickets]
- Certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip (based on dates on tickets) (see FAQ tab on medical insurance)
- The applicant’s original United States passport valid for at least a full year after ticketed date of entry
When the Embassy or Consulate has received and is satisfied with this second stage documentation, the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) will be issued.
You may submit your application documentation to us by post (mail) or in person. If you wish to submit your application by post/mail, we strongly recommend that you use registered (certified) mail or a reputable courier company. The Embassy/Consulates cannot be held responsible for documentation lost in transit. If you wish to submit your application in person, please check the visa section of the website of the relevant Consulate General or Embassy (Our Services/Visas) as some restrictions may apply (e.g. appointment times).
On arrival in Ireland
On arrival in Ireland
The market for short-term casual work in Ireland is highly competitive and adequately supplied by the large number of school leavers and other young Irish and EU nationals looking for work. Getting your WHA is not a guarantee of finding work. If you hold a Working Holiday Agreement you are permitted to work from your date of entry to the State once your passport has been endorsed by an Immigration Officer at a Port of Entry confirming the purpose is to “take up employment under a WHA”.
Immigration controls
Even if you have a WHA, you’re still subject to normal immigration controls when you enter Ireland. As a non-EU national, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureauto stay in Ireland for more than 90 days. There is a fee of €300 for the issue of a Garda (police) registration card. It is a criminal offence to not register within ninety days. Persons seeking an appointment for the purposes of registration may encounter delays in securing an appointment. Working Holiday Agreement holders may book their appointment before they leave for Ireland.”
WHA holders will also need to obtain a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Information on how to obtain a PPSN can be found on the Department of Social Protection.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
This advice refers to US participants only, Irish citizens who wish to avail of the provisions of the Working Holiday Agreement to travel to the US should consult the websites of the US Embassy in Dublin and/or the US Department of State.
I am a US citizen currently studying outside the US, am I eligible to participate in the programme?
I am in high school, am I eligible to participate in the programme?
How is the date of graduation defined?
Is there an age limit for participation?
Are there any limitations on the type of employment I can take up once in Ireland?
Can I extend the 12 month duration of my Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA)?
May I avail of the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) programme more than once?
Why do I need to show evidence of health insurance?
What type of medical insurance is required?
It is not possible to purchase a return flight ticket as my intended return date is too far away.
Information for Irish applicants
Information for Irish applicants
Irish citizens who wish to avail of the provisions of the Working Holiday Agreement to travel to the US should consult the websites of the US Embassy in Dublin and/or the US Department of State for more information about the Intern Work and Travel Pilot Program with Ireland (a.k.a. Intern work/travel: Irish).
Non-Irish citizens
If you want to work during your holiday in Ireland, you need to apply for a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) from your nearest Irish Embassy/Consulate or relevant organisation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our representatives and agents, reserve the right to ask for further documentation and/or to refuse any application for a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA).
Sufficient funds
You must have enough money to support yourself for at least the first part of your holiday or in case you don’t find work. Immigration officials may ask for proof that you have sufficient funds when you enter Ireland.
Medical insurance
We strongly recommend that you get private medical insurance to cover any costs in case you have an accident or fall ill while in Ireland.
Finding work
The market for short-term casual work in Ireland is highly competitive and adequately supplied by the large number of school leavers and other young Irish and EU nationals looking for work. Getting your WHA is not a guarantee of finding work.
Immigration controls
Even if you have a WHA, you’re still subject to normal immigration controls when you enter Ireland. As a non-EU national, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days. There is a fee of €300 for the issue of a Garda (police) registration card. You will be permitted to engage in short-term casual work once you have received the appropriate immigration stamp (Stamp 1).