Atypical Working Scheme

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Scheme name	Atypical Working Scheme (AWS)
Stay duration	Typically up to 90 days; select roles longer
Cost	€250 non-refundable application fee
Eligibility timing	Must apply and await decision while outside Ireland
Work rights	Restricted to approved role and host only
Study rights	Specific internships or clinical adaptation only
Medicare / Health benefits	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Single or intermittent entries (up to 90 days)
Citizenship reckonable	Not reckonable for Stamp 4 or citizenship
Family sponsorship	Family members may not accompany the applicant
Visa record / Registration	Registration required if staying over 90 days
Processing time	Minimum 20 working days
Letter of Approval validity	Valid for 90 days from issue

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Purpose and Overview

The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) facilitates specialised, highly skilled employment of a short-term nature (generally 15 to 90 days) that is not supported by standard Employment Permit legislation. It is administered by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in agreement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).

AWS permission cannot be used as a "bridging permission" to remain in Ireland while awaiting decisions on other applications, nor to enter the State to apply for another permission (except for nurses completing clinical adaptation who must transition to an Employment Permit).

Permitted Durations by Category

• General Category (Skill shortages, specialised/high skills, entertainment, biotech, pharma, tech): Maximum 90 days. May be used for intermittent travel up to a cumulative 90 days within a 6-month period. A 1-month cooling-off period applies after the 6-month period before re-entry under a new AWS permission.
• Locum Doctor (Hospital Sector): Up to 6 months.
• Locum Doctor (Primary Care / GP Sector): Up to 90 days.
• Nurse / Midwife (NMBI registration / Clinical Adaptation / RCSI exam): Up to 6 months.
• Paid Internships (Integral to graduation): Maximum 12 months.
• Paid Internships (Beneficial to studies): 15 to 90 consecutive calendar days.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

• Non-EEA nationals outside the State invited by an Irish-based host body registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
• Workers providing specialised/high skills or filling short-term skill shortages (15–90 days).
• Contract Service Providers (CSP) or Intra-Company Transferees (ICT) undertaking assignments of 15–90 consecutive calendar days.
• Locum doctors registered with the Medical Council of Ireland.
• Nurses/midwives accepted for Clinical Adaptation or the RCSI Aptitude Test.
• Third-level students outside Ireland undertaking approved paid internships.

Ineligible Applicants

You cannot apply if you:

• Are already inside Ireland.
• Require entry for employment of 14 calendar days or less.
• Are travelling for standard business purposes (meetings, seminars, conferences, sales trips).
• Propose employment listed on DETE’s Ineligible Categories of Employment.
• Qualify under the Van Der Elst judgment or the Highly Skilled Job Interview Authorisation initiative.
• Hold, are eligible for, or are awaiting a DETE Employment Permit (including Intra-Company Transfer permits in another jurisdiction).
• Would cause the Irish host to breach the 50/50 rule regarding the ratio of EEA to non-EEA employees.
• Seek medical internships or unpaid internships (both are strictly prohibited).

Key Conditions and Salary Rules

• Sole Purpose: Permission is non-transferable and granted strictly for the specified role and host.
• Passport Validity: The applicant's passport must remain valid for at least the entire duration of the permission sought. If residing in a third country, AWS validity cannot exceed the residence permission in that country.
• Salary Threshold: Remuneration must comply with national employment law and meet the salary threshold of the General Employment Permit. Allowable health insurance payments (to an HIA-registered provider) count toward this threshold up to 25% of the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the General Employment Permit threshold.
• No Accompanying Family: Dependants are not permitted to accompany AWS holders.
• Immigration Reckonability: AWS permissions do not count toward Stamp 4 status.

Required Documents

All contracts must be signed in ink and dated by both parties. Digital signatures, insert dates, letters of offer, or unverified handwritten text will not be accepted.

• Universal Documents:
  • Full colour copy of entire passport.
  • Signed and dated Letter of Authorisation (if using an agent/legal representative).
  • Ink-signed employment contract stating duration, job description, and salary (with itemised allowances/benefits).
  • Letter of invitation/offer from the Irish host confirming role, salary in EUR, and contract duration.
• Category-Specific Documents:
  • Skill Shortage / High Skill: Letter of support from a State agency (e.g., IDA, Enterprise Ireland), if applicable.
  • Internships: Letter from the sending third-level institution certifying whether the internship is integral or beneficial to the course and confirming the student will return to complete their studies.
  • Locum Doctors: Proof of current registration with the Medical Council of Ireland.
  • Nurses/Midwives: Acceptance letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), hospital letter confirming adaptation dates or RCSI test booking, and a signed employment contract of at least 2 years' duration.

How to Apply

1. Submit Online Application: Apply from outside Ireland via the INIS Online Application Portal.
2. Pay Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable €250 fee by credit card at the time of submission.
3. Await Processing: Allow at least 20 working days. Applications are processed strictly in date order and cannot be expedited. Do not book travel during this time.
4. Receive Decision:
   • Approved: A Letter of Approval is issued. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
   • Refused: ISD issues a refusal letter stating reasons. Fees are non-refundable.

Entry Visa and Post-Arrival Obligations

• Entry Visas (Visa-Required Nationals):
  • Do not apply for a visa until the AWS Letter of Approval has been issued.
  • Allow at least 8 weeks for entry visa processing.
  • For 15–90 day permissions with approved intermittent travel, apply for a C multi-entry visa.
  • For stays exceeding 90 days, apply for a D long-stay visa.
• Immigration Registration in Ireland:
  • Stays up to 90 days: No domestic immigration registration (GNIB/ISD) is required.
  • Stays over 90 days: Applicants aged 16 or over must register with Immigration Service Delivery / GNIB upon arrival, presenting their passport, Letter of Approval, host letter, proof of medical insurance, and relevant academic/visa documentation.