If you are considering studying in Ireland, you should know about the visa regulations on part-time work for students. Ireland visas are specified by Stamp numbers. Students who are allowed to work part-time during the course session are granted Visa Stamp 2, while those who are not allowed to work part-time at all get the Visa stamp 2A.

Holding a valid stamp 2 means you will be permitted to work for 20 hours per week during the academic session, and 40 hours per week during the months of May, June, July, August and from 15th December to 15th January. These are the vacation times in Ireland so the time allowed to work increases in the vacations.

To be eligible to work part-time, you need to be:

• Registered with local police known as Garda National Immigration Bureau or GNIB
• Accepted to a course recognized by the Minister for Education and Skills
• Enrolled to a full time course at or above NFQ Level 7
• Attending classes between  8 AM and 6 PM per week
• Enrolled to a course with at least one year’s duration

If you are eligible to work part-time in Ireland, need to acquire a PPS Number (Personal Public Services Number). Your employer will be able to pay you only if you have a PPS number. Also you will need to open an account with any Irish bank as the payment can be made only to an Irish bank account. You will be required to comply with the Irish tax laws, employment laws and taxation requirements. 

Remember that your employer may ask for prior work experience. If you don’t have a year’s worth of work experience related to the job you are applying to for e.g. Waiter, Bookkeeper, Barista etc., you may not get any job. So check the job requirements before applying. Minimum wage in Ireland is €7.32 for those who are over the age of 18 and are fresher.

Keeping these things in mind, remember that part-time work can only support your everyday costs, and it can never be enough to fund your studies and stay.

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