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Work Ireland

Working holidays in Ireland

Visa processing + arrival set-up

Led by our in-country Irish team – kickstart your Ireland working holiday with your first night in Dublin included, job support, and help sorting all the geeky tax and bank account essentials.

LET’S TALK
Friends share a pint in Dublin sun
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Dublin city street in the sun
Friends share a pint in the sun
IMPORTANT: There's currently an 8 week wait time for work authorization (SIN equivalent) appointments

Swap craft beers for pints of Guinness

Why should Canadians do a working holiday in Ireland?

Need to know

What is Work Ireland?

ASK US ANYTHING

At a glance

Price tag icon

$725

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18-35 year olds

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24-month visa (worth $150)

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Depart year-round

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Casual or career work

Accomodation icon

1 night in Dublin

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Irish team on the ground

Why work and travel in Ireland?

Irish charm

Job flexibility

Solo travel

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Old country bridge and pink house
Beach and hills on clear evening

Visa + cost

Ireland working holiday requirements

Am I eligible for a Ireland working holiday visa?

  • You must be 18-35 years old (you must apply after your 18th birthday and be issued your visa prior to your 36th birthday)
  • You can stay in Ireland for up to 24 months
  • Once your visa is approved, you have 12 months to enter Ireland
  • You need to have savings of at least CAD $2,500 on arrival into Ireland
  • You must have no criminal record
  • Health insurance is required for the duration of your stay
  • You can start at any time of the year

Deposit


$100

Second payment


$625

Total

$725

Secure your spot with a $100 deposit
  • Ireland working holiday visa (worth $150)
  • Processing and shipping of your visa
  • Digital handbook packed with pre-departure tips, guides + local knowledge
  • Pre-departure video call with our Dublin team to get trip-ready
  • 1 night's hostel accommodation in Dublin (extra nights can be arranged)
  • Half-day orientation with our Dublin team to cover red-tape issues, accommodation and employment assistance – including local employer contacts and resume reviews
  • Assistance setting up your Irish bank account + tax number
  • Mail holding + forwarding services
  • Irish Discord group to connect with other Canadians

Travel insurance

We recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book

Flights

We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved

Balancing profit with purpose, SWAP only works for us if it works for others too. As part of the JENZA Travel Group, we donate 5% of profits to our JENZA Youth Access Scholarship Fund – helping 18-30s from under-represented groups and lower-income backgrounds to experience a SWAP working holiday or overseas internship. Find out more and apply for scholarship funding.

Swapportunities

What jobs can Canadians do on an Ireland working holiday visa?

Ireland in numbers

7,000

Number of Irish pubs in the world

1759

Date the Guinness factory opened in Dublin

7

Number of Eurovision Song Contest wins

4.5

Million Canadians have Irish ancestry

Reasons to do a working holiday in Ireland

Swap it like it's hot

1

European trips

Man looks around the inside of courtyard

European trips

Paris, Rome, Ibiza
One of the best things about living in Ireland is the budget airlines that zip across to Europe. You could literally finish work on a Friday and be eating your body weight in cheese in Paris, exploring ancient ruins in Rome, or clubbing in Ibiza within a few hours. And still be back to work for Monday morning. Plus, the UK and its world-famous festival circuit is a quick ferry or flight away.

1

Man looks around the inside of courtyard

European trips

Paris, Rome, Ibiza
One of the best things about living in Ireland is the budget airlines that zip across to Europe. You could literally finish work on a Friday and be eating your body weight in cheese in Paris, exploring ancient ruins in Rome, or clubbing in Ibiza within a few hours. And still be back to work for Monday morning. Plus, the UK and its world-famous festival circuit is a quick ferry or flight away.
Dublin city street in the sun

Dublin

Culture, music, sport
Dublin is a UNESCO city of literature, with Ireland having more Nobel Prize literature winners per capita than anywhere else in the world. Within seconds of arriving in Dublin, it will be easy to see why it's so inspirational. Famed for its historic universities, legendary nightlife and traditional pubs – you'll find live music and bonhomie everywhere. Plus, the Irish are serious about their sport. Two things you can guarantee from a Dublin pub. There will be Guinness and there will be either Gaelic football, racing or rugby on the TV.

2

Dublin city street in the sun

Dublin

Culture, music, sport
Dublin is a UNESCO city of literature, with Ireland having more Nobel Prize literature winners per capita than anywhere else in the world. Within seconds of arriving in Dublin, it will be easy to see why it's so inspirational. Famed for its historic universities, legendary nightlife and traditional pubs – you'll find live music and bonhomie everywhere. Plus, the Irish are serious about their sport. Two things you can guarantee from a Dublin pub. There will be Guinness and there will be either Gaelic football, racing or rugby on the TV.
Girl stands in front of cliffs

Country and coast

Cork, Galway, Cliffs of Moher

There's a reason Ireland exports so many literary greats, beauty is all around. The green countryside, the dramatic coast, the pastel-painted towns.

Cork is smaller than Dublin, surrounded by beautiful coastal villages. It's got a growing creative scene and a strong community feel. It's also home to Apple and Pfizer. Galway is even smaller, with a younger population who prioritise lifestyle and outdoor access over corporate career acceleration. And is good for weekend trips to the Aran Islands and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher – of Game of Throne's fame and the highest cliffs in Europe.

3

Girl stands in front of cliffs

Country and coast

Cork, Galway, Cliffs of Moher

There's a reason Ireland exports so many literary greats, beauty is all around. The green countryside, the dramatic coast, the pastel-painted towns.

Cork is smaller than Dublin, surrounded by beautiful coastal villages. It's got a growing creative scene and a strong community feel. It's also home to Apple and Pfizer. Galway is even smaller, with a younger population who prioritise lifestyle and outdoor access over corporate career acceleration. And is good for weekend trips to the Aran Islands and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher – of Game of Throne's fame and the highest cliffs in Europe.

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Got questions?

Find out more about Ireland work and holiday

SWAP have been doing working holidays for Canadians for 50+ years. We know our stuff and we love talking travel. So, if you still have questions about working holidays in Ireland – visa requirements, types of jobs, where to get the best pint of Guinness – give us a call. We'll figure it out together.
BOOK A CALL

How it works

How and when to apply

Countdown to Ireland

  • Check your eligibility in the visa + cost section above. Then hit ‘Book now’ to create your online account and pay your deposit. You can then access your account anytime at the top of this page.

    1 day

  • We'll then grab all the details we need from you to apply for your Ireland working holiday visa. Your visa will then be shipped back to you.

    1-2 weeks

  • Once your visa is issued, it’s safe to start ticking off your to-do list and book your flights and travel insurance. Make sure you let us know your flight details so that we can book in your hostel night. If you’re arriving early and want any extra nights adding, just let us know.

    1 day

  • Your balance is due eight weeks before you fly. We'll also arrange for you to have a pre-departure video call with our Ireland team to go over all your arrival information, what to expect from a working holiday in Ireland, and answer all your questions.

    1+ days

  • Work Ireland includes one night dorm accommodation in Dublin when you arrive – let us know if you need extra nights adding. You'll then meet the Dublin team at their USIT offices to have your in-country orientation on the departure dates outlined on this page.
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Get it for free (ish)

Earn back your adventures

We know the most authentic voices come from our community. Whether you want to come on board as an ambassador, roadtester or as a one-off collaborator for blogs, vlogs or images – earn some extra $$ on the road with a content side hustle.

Read the SWAP blog

Inspo from around the world

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Guy walks into sunset with green hills and stone walls
Girls float motionless in the sea
Girls at a Japanese train station platform
Girls pose for selfie on bridge in London
Couple sit by a blue river in New Zealand
Girls lay in the sun on the grass by the sea
Couple stand before the Cliffs of Moher
Friends enjoy picnic in the sun

Got questions?

We’ve got answers

Not found what you're looking for? Hit 'Ask a question' below and one of our SWAP Support Squad will come back to you.
Guy beneath tree in Autumn.

Talk to us

Ireland experts
Call us for all the intel on who can go, when to apply and what jobs you can do.
CONTACT US
  • If you're 18-35 and a Canadian passport holder, you can apply for a Republic of Ireland working holiday visa, known as the two-year Working Holiday Authorization (WHA).

  • This is an open work permit allowing 18-35 year olds from Canada and other countries to live and work in Ireland for up to two years doing most types of work.

  • A 24-month Ireland working holiday visa, also known as a Working Holiday Authorization, is currently CAD $150 for Canadians. This is included in your SWAP program so there is no additional fee to pay.
  • We support you every step of the way to getting your Ireland working holiday visa approved. The visa cost is included, and our program experts review your application to make sure it’s perfect before sending it to the Irish Embassy on your behalf. We take care of everything and will ship out your visa to you once approved.
  • Canadians must be 18-35 (inclusive), meaning you must apply and be approved before your 36th birthday, to be granted the Ireland working holiday visa.

  • You can work in most professions (other than as a professional sportsperson and in some medical professions), and for one employer for the full 24-months of your visa.

    Alternatively, you can do more casual work. Typical backpacker jobs include bartending, waiting staff, admin roles, retail, temp jobs and childcare (nannying or au pair).

  • No, you can't extend beyond the 24 months.

  • Ask your question here and one of our team will come back to you.

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