Step 2: Gathering the necessary documents

To apply for a blue card, you will need to prepare the following package of documents:

• • Completed blue card application form.

• • Diploma of higher education translated into English and certified in accordance with the established procedure.

• • A contract of employment with an Irish employer confirming the terms and conditions of employment and salary.

• • A criminal record certificate from your country of residence or origin.

• • Health insurance valid in Ireland.

• • Financial documents proving your ability to support yourself and your family during your residency.

Step 3: Submitting an application

The application for a blue card is made through the Irish Migration Service’s online system. During the application process you will need to:

1. Upload all required documents:
   • • Ensure that all documents are translated into English and certified as required by Irish law.

2. Pay the state duty:
   • • The amount of the fee depends on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the application. It is recommended to check the exact amount and payment methods on the official website of the Migration Service.

3. Send the application for review:
   • • Once the application is submitted, the processing of the application begins. It is important to track the status of your application through the online system and to respond promptly to queries from the Migration Service.

Step 4: Waiting for a decision

The processing time of an application can vary from a few weeks to several months. During this time it is important to keep in touch with the migration service and be ready to provide additional documents or information upon request.

Step 5: Obtaining a blue card

If your application is approved, you will receive a Blue Card, which grants you the right to work and reside in Ireland. The Blue Card is usually issued for up to two years with the possibility of renewal, provided you continue to fulfil all the requirements.

Step 6: Arrival in Ireland and registration

Once you have received your Blue Card, you can enter Ireland. On arrival, you must register at your local immigration office and provide the necessary documents to prove your right to stay and work in the country.

Obtaining a Blue Card in Ireland is a process that requires careful preparation and adherence to all established procedures. Compliance with all requirements and the correct paperwork will greatly increase your chances of successfully obtaining a Blue Card, opening up opportunities to work and live in one of the most attractive countries in Europe. The Blue Card provides stability and long-term residency in Ireland for highly skilled professionals.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for a blue card in Ireland?

The Irish Blue Card is an important tool for attracting highly qualified professionals from outside the European Union. One of the key requirements for obtaining this document is to fulfil the established minimum salary level. In this article we will look at what level of income is required to obtain a Blue Card in Ireland and why this criterion is important.

Minimum salary threshold

In order to qualify for a Blue Card in Ireland, a candidate must earn a salary that meets or exceeds a certain minimum threshold. This threshold is based on the national average salary and is reviewed annually. For 2023, the minimum salary required to qualify for a Blue Card in Ireland is:

• • 60,000 euros per year: This is the standard threshold for most professions. Candidates who earn this salary or higher can apply for a Blue Card if their position requires high qualifications.

• • 30,000 euros per year: For some shortage occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, the minimum salary threshold has been lowered to 30,000 euros per year. These occupations include professions such as engineers, IT specialists, medical professionals and other professions in demand on the labour market.

Importance of salary matching

The establishment of a minimum wage threshold has several purposes:

1. Economic stability: This criterion ensures that Blue Card applicants are able to support themselves and their family while living in Ireland. A high level of income allows you to maintain a decent standard of living in a high-cost country.

2. Attracting skilled professionals: The high salary threshold is aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals who can make a significant contribution to the Irish economy and fill scarce vacancies in the labour market.

3. Protecting the local labour market: Setting a minimum wage also helps to protect Ireland’s labour market by preventing the dumping of foreign labour in low-paid positions.

Documents for confirmation of salary level

The applicant needs to provide a number of documents to prove that they meet the salary requirements:

• • Contract of Employment: The contract with an Irish employer must specify the job duties, salary level and working conditions. This document is the main proof of income.

• • Letter from employer: In some cases, a written confirmation from the employer may be required, giving details of the position offered and salary.

• • Bank statements or tax documents: These documents may be required to prove actual receipt of salary, especially if the applicant is already working in Ireland.

Meeting the minimum wage is a key requirement for obtaining a Blue Card in Ireland. It is not only an indicator of a candidate’s qualifications and economic sustainability, but also serves as an important tool for regulating the labour market in the country. Understanding and fulfilling this requirement significantly increases the chances of successfully obtaining a Blue Card, opening up a wide range of opportunities for highly skilled professionals to work and live in Ireland.

What opportunities does the blue card offer in Ireland?

The Irish Blue Card is a powerful tool for highly skilled non-EU professionals wishing to work and reside in one of Europe’s most dynamic economies. It provides access to a wide range of professional and personal opportunities, enabling professionals to realise their potential and develop in an international environment. In this article we will look at what specific opportunities the Blue Card in Ireland offers.

Professional Opportunities

1. Access to highly skilled jobs:
   • • The Blue Card entitles you to work in Ireland in highly skilled positions requiring specialised knowledge and skills. It opens up access to a variety of professional opportunities in sectors such as information technology, finance, biotechnology, medicine and engineering.
   • • Ireland is a European centre for many multinational corporations, particularly in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors, making the country an attractive career destination.

2. Career Development and Training:
   • • Blue Card holders can participate in professional development and skills enhancement programmes. Many companies in Ireland offer their employees access to training and development programmes to support career progression.
   • • The opportunity to participate in international projects and assignments within companies represented in Ireland also broadens professional horizons.

3. International experiences and interactions:
   • • Working in Ireland provides a unique international experience that is valued in the global labour market. It helps professionals develop intercultural communication skills and work in a multinational environment.

Opportunities for families

1. Family Reunion:
   • • Blue Card holders can invite family members to live in Ireland. Spouse and children are entitled to residence and access to education and health services.
   • • The spouse may also be eligible to work in Ireland, which improves the family’s financial situation and allows both partners to develop their career opportunities.

2. Education and parenting:
   • • Children of Blue Card holders can access high quality education in Ireland, both in public and public schools. Ireland offers many educational programmes in English, which simplifies the integration process for children of foreign professionals.

Long-term perspectives

1. Long-term residence and obtaining permanent residence:
   • • After two years of continuous residence in Ireland on a Blue Card, holders can apply for Permanent Residence (PR). This provides stability and long-term prospects for the whole family.
   • • A permanent residence permit provides additional rights such as access to a wide range of social and economic services, as well as the ability to remain in the country without the need to renew a visa.

2. Possibility of citizenship:
   • • In the long term, Blue Card and residence permit holders can apply for Irish citizenship. This opens up access to the full range of rights of European Union citizens, including the right to move freely and work in other EU countries.

Mobility and opportunities in the EU

1. Freedom of movement within the EU:
   • • The Irish Blue Card grants the right to work not only in Ireland but also in other European Union countries after a certain period of residence and work in Ireland. This makes Blue Card holders more flexible and mobile in the European labour market.

2. International Business Relations:
   • • Ireland is an important hub for many global companies, offering opportunities to create and develop international business relationships. Blue Card holders can develop their professional network by participating in international projects and interacting with colleagues from other countries.

The Ireland Blue Card provides highly skilled professionals with unique opportunities to work, live and grow professionally in one of Europe’s most successful and dynamic economies. It not only provides access to highly skilled jobs and international experience, but also long-term prospects for life and career in Ireland. Blue Card holders can not only develop their careers but also provide their families with access to quality education and social services, laying the foundation for a stable and successful future.

Ireland blue card application process

The Irish Blue Card is a work and residence permit designed for highly skilled professionals from outside the European Union. This document provides significant opportunities for professional growth and long-term residence in one of the most dynamic economies in Europe. In this article we will look at the step-by-step process of applying for a Blue Card in Ireland, including the main steps and requirements.

Step 1: Checking compliance with requirements

Before you start applying for a blue card, it’s important to make sure you meet all the requirements:

1. High Qualifications:
   • The candidate must have a university degree from a programme of study of at least three years’ duration or significant professional experience. The diploma must confirm the knowledge and skills required to perform highly qualified work.

2. Labour contract:
   • A valid employment contract or offer of employment from an Irish employer for a period of at least two years is required. The position must be highly skilled.

3. Minimum Wage:
   • Salary levels should be as follows: €60,000 per year for most occupations or €30,000 per year for shortage occupations on the critical skills list.

4. No criminal record:
   • The candidate must provide a certificate of no criminal record from their country of origin or from a country where they have resided for more than six months in the last five years.

5. Health Insurance:
   • The candidate must have valid health insurance covering all medical expenses within Ireland.

Step 2: Gathering the necessary documents

To apply for a blue card, you need to collect and prepare the following documents:

• • Completed blue card application form.

• • Diploma of higher education translated into English and certified in the prescribed manner.

• • A contract of employment with an Irish employer confirming the terms and conditions of employment, job responsibilities and salary.

• • A criminal record certificate from your country of residence or country of origin.

• • Health insurance valid in Ireland.

• • Financial documents proving your ability to support yourself and your family during your stay.

Step 3: Submitting an application

The application for a Blue Card is made through the Irish Migration Service’s online system. The application procedure includes the following steps:

1. Create an account and fill out the questionnaire:
   • Go to the Irish Migration Service website and create an account. Fill in the online application form with all the required information, including your education, work experience and proposed position.

2. Document uploading:
   • Upload scans of all required documents, translated into English and certified as required.

3. Payment of state duty:
   • Pay the state fee for processing the application. The amount of the fee depends on the type of visa and can be specified on the website of the Migration Service.

4. Sending the application for review:
   • Once you have uploaded all documents and paid the fee, submit your application for review.

Step 4: Waiting for a decision

Once the application is submitted, the processing of the application begins. The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the migration services and the completeness of the submitted documents. Usually the process takes from several weeks to several months. It is important to regularly check the status of the application through the online system and promptly respond to requests from the migration service if additional information or documents are required.

Step 5: Obtaining a blue card

If your application is approved, you will be issued a Blue Card, which entitles you to reside and work legally in Ireland. The Blue Card is usually issued for a period of up to two years with the possibility of renewal. Once you have been issued a Blue Card, you will be able to enter Ireland legally and start working.

Step 6: Registration on arrival in Ireland

Once you arrive in Ireland, you will need to register at your local immigration office. When you register, you will need to show your Blue Card, passport and other documents that prove your right to live and work in the country.

The process of obtaining a Blue Card in Ireland requires careful preparation and adherence to all established procedures. Successful fulfilment of all requirements and correct documentation significantly increases your chances of obtaining a Blue Card, opening up new opportunities to work and live in one of the most attractive countries in Europe. The Irish Blue Card offers stability, career prospects and long-term residency for highly qualified professionals.

Where can I get Ireland blue card?

The Irish Blue Card is an important document for highly skilled professionals from outside the European Union, granting the right to work and reside in Ireland. The process of obtaining a Blue Card requires following certain procedures and submitting an application to the relevant authorities. In this article we will look at where and how you can obtain a Blue Card in Ireland, as well as what steps you need to take to successfully obtain this document.

Main places to apply for a blue card

Category	Details
Irish Migration Service online system	For all applicants: Whether you are in Ireland or outside Ireland, applying for a Blue Card is done through the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service’s (INIS) online system. This is the main and most convenient way to apply. Advantages of online submission: The online system allows you to easily and quickly upload all necessary documents, track the status of your application, and promptly respond to queries from the migration service.
Irish consulates and embassies abroad	For applicants outside Ireland: If you live outside Ireland, you can contact the nearest Irish consulate or embassy in your country for information and assistance in applying for a Blue Card. Role of consulates: Consulates and embassies can provide advice on paperwork and help with the application if you have difficulty using the online system.
Irish Immigration Service	For those already in Ireland: If you are already in Ireland on another visa or permit, you can apply for a Blue Card directly through the Irish Migration Service. This may be relevant if, for example, you are in the country on a student visa or temporary worker visa and have received an offer of permanent, highly skilled employment. Personal application: If you need to apply in person, you can visit the Migration Service office for counselling or apply directly. However, as a rule, the application is still submitted through the online system.

Basic documents for application

To successfully apply for a blue card, you need to prepare the following documents:

• • Blue Card application form completed through the online system.

• • A valid passport.

• • Diploma of higher education translated into English and certified in the prescribed manner.

• • A contract of employment with an Irish employer confirming the terms and conditions of employment, job responsibilities and salary.

• • A criminal record certificate from your country of residence or country of origin.

• • Health insurance valid in Ireland.

• • Financial documents proving your ability to support yourself and your family while living in Ireland.

Application process

The process of applying for a Blue Card in Ireland involves several steps: