Can I stay and work in Ireland after graduating from an Irish university?

Yes — Ireland offers a clear post-study work pathway through the Third Level Graduate Programme (previously called the Stay Back scheme):

Third Level Graduate Programme:

Master's or PhD: 24-month permission to remain in Ireland after graduation to seek employment — or to work in any job while looking.

Bachelor's degree (level 8 — honours degree): 12 months permission to remain.

What you can do during this period:
- Work in any job for any employer (no restriction on hours or occupation)
- Look for graduate employment
- This is your time to find a skilled job that qualifies for employment permit

Conditions:
- Must have completed your degree on ILEP
- Must have maintained legal student status
- Apply through INIS (Irish immigration service) before your current permission expires
- Financial self-sufficiency expected

After the graduate period — next steps:
If you find skilled employment in an eligible role, your employer can apply for:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit (most in-demand — for high-skilled roles earning €38,000+)
- General Employment Permit (for roles meeting certain criteria)

Critical Skills Employment Permit is particularly attractive — leads to Stamp 4 (effectively unrestricted work rights) after 2 years, and long-term residence.

Path to Irish citizenship: After 5 years of reckonable residence in Ireland (including student and work permit years), you can apply for naturalisation as an Irish citizen.