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.

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

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

Please read this in conjunction with the information in the “eligibility” and “how to apply” tabs.

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?

How long is the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) valid for? Is there a deadline by which I must use it?

Can I extend the 12 month duration of my Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA)?

I am already in Ireland / I am in a hurry to get to Ireland, can I enter Ireland under the Visa Waiver Programme or on a visa and have my Working Holiday Authorisation forwarded to me in Ireland? Can I change my immigration status after entering Ireland?

May I avail of the Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) programme more than once?

If I am granted a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) do I also need to apply for a visa / employment permit / other document?

Why do I need to show evidence of health insurance?

What type of medical insurance is required?

I plan on travelling in Europe before/after my stay in Ireland – do I have to have return airline tickets directly from US to/from Ireland?

It is not possible to purchase a return flight ticket as my intended return date is too far away.

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).