Thinking of leaving Canada for a while to experience more of the world? A working holiday in Ireland could be the perfect opportunity for you.
There are so many reasons to consider making the move to Ireland. One thing is for certain, you’ll never be bored. The island is packed with some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, including world famous landmarks such as the Cliffs of Moher and Skellig Michael.
The social life never fails to disappoint. Irish cities like Dublin and Galway have an incredible friendly atmosphere, as well as the finest pubs, Guinness and whiskey the world has to offer.
Ireland has a long, fascinating history that is showcased by neolithic tombs across the country, as well as the amazing museums – the National Museum of Ireland being a must see.
Along with Gaeilge, English is an official language in Ireland – meaning you will have no language barrier problems at work or when making new friends, but you will have to get used to the Irish accents!
Ireland has a very low unemployment rate, and many of the world’s biggest companies like Google, Facebook, Accenture, PwC and Ebay have head offices in Dublin.
If working full-time in Ireland, you’ll be entitled to at least 20 days of annual leave, along with 9 paid public bank holidays – meaning you’ll have lots of time to explore Ireland, or check out some of Europe’s most popular cities. The likes of London, Paris and Amsterdam are all just a short flight away.
So, if you’re thinking of making the move across the Atlantic, we’re here to help out – here’s everything you need to know about applying for a working holiday visa in Ireland.
Who Can Apply?
To work in Ireland on a working holiday visa, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
- Have a valid Canadian passport
- Have 2500 CAD in your savings
How Long Is The Visa Valid?
Once you have entered Ireland, you are permitted to stay and work there for up to 24 months. You can enter Ireland at any time while your visa is valid, and leave and come back at any time during your stay.
This visa can only be acquired once, making it (literally) a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Do I Need To Organise A Job First?
No. You do not need a formal job offer, a pre-arranged contract of employment, or a formal internship offer before arriving in Ireland.
How Do I Apply?
You can submit your application in person or by mail at the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa.
Applications are accepted either directly to the Embassy or through SWAP Working Holidays. You are well advised to check the latest information on applying for visas as these may change once in a while.
To see the full list of everything you’ll need to apply, click here.
How Much Will It Cost?
When applying with the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, you pay a fee of $150. This does not include the price of travel insurance that is required to obtain the working holiday visa.
How Do I Manage My Finances? What’s the Best Way to Send Money From Canada to Ireland?
When you first move, you will require funds to see you through the period when you are applying for jobs. If you choose to withdraw money from your Canadian card or use your card abroad, you pay high fees and unfair exchange rates to your bank back home.
To avoid these fees and charges, you will have to open an Irish bank account once you move there. One issue people face when opening a bank account overseas is transferring their money over.
Transferring online with your bank or through bank wire transfers sacrifices huge portions of your money in wire transfer fees. These transfers can also take around 5 working days to arrive into your new account.
Some people will opt to send their money using online transfer companies like Transferwise. However, to send the equivalent of CAD $5,000 to Ireland with Transferwise, you pay around $45 in fees! (As per Transferwise website, 02/01/2019).
Thankfully, REMITR is here to save you both time and money. Our service eliminates high fees and guarantees savings, charging a flat fee as low as $5!
REMITR also enables you to send business payments to Ireland to pay suppliers and employees. Businesses based in Ireland can also send payments worldwide without incurring bank wire fees. REMITR Collect allows the same businesses to receive payments from US customers without either of them paying any wire transfer processing fees, while also getting access to the best exchange rates.
REMITR allows users to send and receive money 24/7 to 150 countries worldwide. We offer users the best live exchange rate, no matter what the currency.
If you need to send money, but also want to save money, get in touch with REMITR today.
