US-Ireland Working Holiday Agreement

The Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and the US allows Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's country for up to 12 months.

In 2008 Ireland and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on a 12 month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Programme (a.k.a. the Working Holiday Agreement) that enables Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's country for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the vibrancy of the modern economic and commercial relationship between our countries.

The Working Holiday Agreement is intended to facilitate US citizens who wish to travel for an extended period in Ireland and to engage in employment as an incidental aspect of their holiday.

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).

This programme is separate to and does not affect the operation of the highly successful Summer Work Travel or Intern visa programmes. For information on these, please consult the website of the US Embassy in Dublin and/or the US Department of State.

Eligibility
How to apply (US citizens only)
On arrival in Ireland
Frequently asked questions
Information for Irish applicants

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)

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 West Virginia)	$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, Ohio, 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 and Puerto Rico)	$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

US citizens who are granted a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) do not need to apply for a visa or employment permit, but they must register with the Garda Naturalisation and Immigration Bureau in Dublin or their nearest Garda Síochána District Headquarters Station as soon as possible after arrival in Ireland, and within an absolute maximum of 90 days of arrival. At time of writing there is a charge of €300 for registration.

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.

What type of “post secondary education” must I be engaged in / have graduated from in order to be eligible for the programme?

I am studying for / have recently graduated with a professional qualification (e.g. nursing, accountancy etc), am I eligible to participate in the programme?

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?

I have graduated from high school within the last 12 months but am not currently in full-time education, am I eligible to participate in the programme?

How is the date of graduation defined?

My course of study requires me to do an internship / professional training (in the USA or overseas). Can I avail of the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) programme to do allow me to do this In Ireland?

Is there an age limit for participation?

Do I need to have confirmed employment when I apply for a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) / in advance of my arrival in Ireland?

Are there any limitations on the type of employment I can take up once in Ireland?

Are there any limits on the number of hours I can work per day/week/month whilst in Ireland under the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA)?

I would like to undertake a full time degree programme lasting more than 90 days in Ireland, can I avail of the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) to do this?