Ireland working holiday visa for US citizens

This page is for United States citizens who are current students or recent graduates interested in a working holiday in Ireland. The data shows the requirements for the Working Holiday Authorisation for Ireland, which allows a stay of up to 12 months. To be eligible, you must be 18 or older and either in full-time post-secondary education or have graduated within the last 12 months. There is no upper age limit specified for this program.

The application fee is $270. You will also need to show access to at least $1,500. After arriving in Ireland, you must register with immigration if staying more than 90 days, which involves a separate fee of €300 for an Irish Residence Permit. The authorisation is valid for entry within 6 months of being issued.

Passport

United States

Age range

18 or older

Stay

Up to 12 months from arrival; must arrive within 6 months of issue

Fee

$270

Funds

Bank statement showing access to at least $1,500

Conditions for US citizens

• Two-stage application to the Irish Embassy in Washington or the Consulate General covering your state (New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco).
• Only for US citizens in full-time post-secondary education or who graduated within the previous 12 months. No upper age limit. Return tickets and health insurance for the stay are needed in stage 2. It can be used more than once, with at least a year between authorisations.

General rules of the program

• You apply from outside Ireland, through the Irish embassy or office listed for your country.
• Non-EU participants staying more than 90 days must register with immigration; the Irish Residence Permit fee is €300.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs notes that short-term casual work in Ireland is highly competitive and a WHA does not guarantee a job.

What stands out

Unlike many working holiday programs for US citizens, Ireland’s authorisation has no upper age limit. However, it has a strict education requirement: you must be a current full-time student in post-secondary education or have graduated in the 12 months before you apply. This makes it different from the programs for Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, which have an age limit of 18 to 30. The data also shows that this authorisation can be used more than once, provided there is at least a year between each one.

How to apply, step by step

1. Find the Irish embassy, consulate or office that handles your nationality (listed by the Department of Foreign Affairs).
2. Check that office's dates, places and document list, since each agreement works differently.
3. Apply from outside Ireland and pay any fee the office lists.
4. After arriving, register with immigration if you stay more than 90 days (Irish Residence Permit fee €300).

Other programs open to US citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for US citizens.

All passports for this program: Ireland working holiday authorisation by country.