For Employers - Universities, other HEI institutions or Enterprises in Ireland

How it works

Research organisations in both the public and private sectors must apply to the Department of Further and Higher Education Research and Innovation for Hosting Agreement- Fast Track Work Permit for R&D accreditation. Once approved, the organisation is then able to offer 'Hosting Agreements' to third country researchers to carry out defined research.

For more information about this process, and/or to apply for the accreditation please contact: Researcher_HostAccred@dfheris.gov.ie

All accredited organisations should contact EURAXESS Ireland for their access to the Hosting Agreement processing system. The office is the Government-appointed central processing house for Hosting Agreements and plays a key role in the official accreditation and immigration process. Hosting agreements are managed by

Head of EURAXESS Ireland

Dr Magdalena Wislocka

Tel: 00-353-1-7996030

Email: magda@iua.ie

EURAXESS Ireland, Irish Universities Association, 48 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

In addition to providing assistance about the scheme via a helpdesk, the office ensures that paperwork is accurately completed and that all relevant information is sent to the Irish Immigration Service

EURAXESS Ireland manages a central online database with details of Hosting Agreement holders and their dependants, which can be accessed by Irish immigration authorities and Embassies worldwide. This fast-tracks the visa application process for researchers and their families. Organisations are granted permission to access the database following accreditation and, once accredited, organisations must contact Magda Wislocka for access details. If you are unable to contact Magda, please contact Marguerita Lardner marguerita.lardner@iua.ie.

There is currently no fee for accreditation of organisations or administration of Fast Track WP for R&D in Ireland.

Eligibility Criteria

Accredited research organisations must ensure that the researcher has sufficient monthly resources to meet their expenses, without having to draw from the national social assistance system. The minimum salary is €30,000 for a researcher with dependants and €23,181 for a researcher without accompanying dependants in Ireland.
A contract of employment issued by the accredited institution for a research position must be in place for a minimum duration of 3 months.

The Process

Contact EURAXESS Ireland to obtain access to the online processing system for Hosting Agreements.
Provide details of a contact person (s) dealing with Hosting Agreements at your institution as well as details of a secretary authorised to sign the agreements and send to Magda Wislocka email: magda@iua.ie
Complete the Fast Track Work Permit for R&D ( Hosting Agreement) using the online procesing system.
Forward an original copy of the Hosting Agreement, generated through the processing online system to the researcher.
Contact Magda Wislocka : Email: magda@iua.ie Tel: 00-353-1-7996030 with any queries regarding the process.

Families of Researchers

Family members (spouses and children) may accompany or join a researcher in Ireland subject to normal immigration rules. Those who do not require a visa will not encounter the Irish immigration system until they arrive in Ireland.
Family members must have a copy of the researcher’s Hosting Agreement if they are not accompanied by the researcher themselves. Dependants may only remain in Ireland for the duration of the Hosting Agreement.
Spouses and eligible dependants of Hosting Agreement holders can work in Ireland freely, and are exempt from a need of any work permit.

Entry Conditions/Residency Rights

Researchers who require an Irish visa must apply for a long term visa for Scientific Researchers before they enter Ireland. Those who do not require a visa will not encounter the Irish immigration system until they arrive in Ireland.
The researcher must bring their original Hosting Agreement with them and be ready to show this to an immigration officer on arrival.
The researcher will then be required to register with their local registration office in order to receive a GNIB registration card.
Hosting Agreements are no longer required after two years on the scheme and researchers can then apply for a Stamp 4 immigration status, which enables researchers to move between sectors and employers without the need for any working permission.
Check the entry conditions details here

Accreditation form scheme_for_accreditation_of_research_organisations_138-1.doc

Other Immigration Schemes for Researchers/Academics from non EU/EEA Countries

Those who are hosting foreign visitors to Ireland for research or academic purposes (paid or unpaid) for less than 14 days do not need to organise any work permissions. However, they should check whether or not their visitor requires a visa.
If a foreign visitor is participating in private, funded or unfunded research, a sabbatical or an academic visit at an Irish institution for a period up to 90 days (or more under certain conditions), and if they do not qualify for a work permit and Hosting Agreement, they may be eligible for the Atypical Working Scheme .

For any additional information please visit the I rish Immigration Service and/or the DFHERIS webiste

FAQs

What is a Visa?

A visa is a paper document attached to a page of the holder's passport. It permits a person to travel to Ireland during the validity period stated on the visa. It does not guarantee entry to the country, and an Immigration Officer at the port of entry has the authority to grant or deny admission, and to decide the duration of a person’s stay in Ireland.

Who needs a permission to work in Ireland ?

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The DJEI’s Employment Permits Section administers the Employment Permits system.The EEA comprises the Member States of the European Union together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. More details on who needs an employment permit.

What is a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D?

A Fast Track Work Permit for R&D (through Hosting Agreement) facilitates the admission of third country researchers to EU Member States for the purpose of carrying out research. As the scheme negates the need for a Work Permit it facilitates the swift and efficient recruitment of world-class research talent.

Who is eligible for a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D?

A Hosting Agreement applies to academic research staff only (it does not cover academic i.e. lecturers, technical or administrative staff). The typical positions it would be applicable for are: Research Assistant; Postdoctoral Researcher; Research Fellow; and Senior Research Fellow. There is a minimum salary threshold for applications of €23,181 for a single person, and €30,000 for a person with dependents.

How long does the application process take?

Although the timeframe for the approval of the application is swift, taking approximately two weeks, host organisations should be aware that other factors can significantly lengthen the application process. These factors would include funding approval confirmation, staff request approval and contract issue, entry visa requirements and international post. Bearing this in mind all new Hosting Agreement applications should be prepared at least 8 weeks in advance of the proposed start or renewal date.

Can a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D be extended?

Yes, if conditions of the researcher’s contract change in terms of ending date, a new agreement showing new employment dates must be issued to the researcher. A copy of the agreement with a copy of the new employment contract must be forwarded to the EURAXESS Ireland office for processing as soon as possible.

What do I do if personal details (eg passport number, salary details, nationality, address) of a researcher on a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D changes?

If personal details of a researcher changes the Hosting Agreement should be amended to reflect the change.The employer should update the hosting agreement using the web based processing system, and issue a new Hosting Agreement original to the researcher.

Note that the old version of the agreemeny will bo no longer valid.

What do I do when a researcher wishes to include a new family member (a spouse, child) under the Fast Track Work Permit for R&D?

Please issue a new agreement with details of new dependants inserted into Section 2 of the form editing the latest version of the agreement in the web based processing system. Make sure the researcher receives his/her new original copy.

Do not post or forward any hardcopies or soft copies of the agreements to EURAXESS/IUA.

What do I do when the researcher's contract terminates before the end date intially specified in the contract/agreement or the researcher never takes up the position?

The Hosting Agreement will automatically lapse when the researcher is not admitted or when the contract of employment between the researcher and your organisation is terminated.

Please promptly inform Magda at EURAXESS Ireland of any cancellations by submitting a cancellation request via the online processing system. The researcher should return his/her original copy of the agreement to you.

How much does a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D cost?

There is currently no application fee required for a Fast Track Work Permit for R&D.

What are the benefits?

The key provisions and benefits of the Hosting Agreement Scheme are as follows:

Linked to the contract of employment offered by the relevant employer
Allows for immediate family reunification, i.e. a researcher can bring his/her family to Ireland from the start of his/her employment
Spouses and de facto partners of Hosting Agreement holders can work in Irleland without any work permit
Application process is swift (excluding VISA application process)
After two years an individual can apply for Long term residency/ GNIB card Stamp 4
No application fee involved.

Can an emploee qualify for a stamp 4 if I worked on a combination of the Critical Skills Work Permit and the Hosting Agreement permit in Ireland? What is the procedure?

Yes you can. A reconable time spent on the HAS along with time on a CSEP will be included to calculate an employees time for a Stamp 4 Support Letter issued by DETE.

Generally DETE will ask for a letter form the employer stating the date the employee started working. A P60 for the last 2 years, three payslips from the previous four months are also required.

In terms of those who had previously worked on a HA, DETE will require the above along with a letter from the Research Organisation stating the date that the researcher actually started working in the organisation. P60’s will also be required for the time served on the HA.