Policy in relation to Employment Permit applications under the Graduate Scheme

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Applications under the Graduate Scheme can only be considered for non-EEA nationals resident in the State who:

• Are pursuing a Degree qualification or higher, and who have obtained their final exam results after the 1^st January 2007, and

• Have obtained prior permission from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to remain in the State in order to apply for an employment permit. This permission will be issued for a period of 6 months dated from the receipt of their exam results.

Having obtained this prior permission from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform then you are free to make an application under the Scheme but all applications must conform to the current guidelines for new Green Cards or Work Permits including the Labour Markets Needs Test.

However, the Department is willing to consider Work Permit applications for a starting salary lower than €30,000 if it can be shown that this is the industry norm for certain graduate occupations.

A cover letter should be enclosed with all applications specifying that they are applications being made under the Graduate Scheme.