Ireland Internship Employment Permit Checklist
The Internship Employment Permit is for full-time students enrolled at a higher education institution outside Ireland who come to an Irish company for an internship that forms part of their course. Based on the official guidance (enterprise.gov.ie), September 2026.
Who it is for
- Full-time students (including postgraduates) at a higher education institution outside Ireland.
- Studying towards a degree or higher.
- Accepted for an internship by an Irish employer to gain work experience and meet a course completion requirement.
Duration and conditions
- Maximum 12 months, not renewable.
- Under section 12(1)(e) you cannot change employer before 12 months of first employment, but within that 12 months you may apply for a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit.
- Remuneration at or above the National Minimum Wage.
- The internship must be part of the course requirements, and at the end you must leave Ireland and are expected to return to your course.
Skills alignment
- The internship role must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL).
- Your course must correspond fully or substantially to that skills shortage.
Employer requirements
- Registered with Revenue (and, where applicable, the CRO or the RFS) and currently trading.
- An employer-employee relationship must exist.
- At least 50% of employees must be EEA nationals at the time of application.
- No Labour Market Needs Test is required.
Family members
Dependants, partners and spouses of an Internship permit holder cannot apply for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply in their own right.
How to apply and cost
- Apply at least 12 weeks before the intended start date, online through Employment Permits Online.
- Three stages; further information within 28 days and a review within 28 days.
- Fee: €500 (up to 6 months) or €1,000 (6–12 months). 90% refunded if not approved.
Coming to Ireland
If you need a visa, apply for an entry visa before travelling, and register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) after arrival. The permit is temporary.
Not published
A specific processing-time figure, the required format of the institution's internship-requirement letter, and the online system's field details are not published here, so none is asserted here.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Internship permit for?
Full-time students (including postgraduates) enrolled in a higher education institution outside Ireland, coming to an Irish company for an internship to gain work experience and meet a course completion requirement.
How long is it valid?
A maximum of 12 months and it cannot be renewed.
What must the internship be?
The internship role must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL), the course must correspond fully or substantially to that skills shortage, and the internship must form part of the course requirements.
Can I stay after the internship?
No. At the end of the internship you must leave Ireland and are expected to return to your course. You may, however, apply for a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit within the 12 months.
Can my family get a permit?
No. Dependants, partners and spouses of an Internship permit holder cannot apply for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply in their own right.
What does it cost?
€500 for up to 6 months, or €1,000 for 6 to 12 months. 90% is refunded if the application is not approved.
Related: the Ireland short-stay visa documents checklist, document translation and copies, and the checklists hub.
Source: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (enterprise.gov.ie), "Internship Employment Permit" — retrieved 2026-09-29. Requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.