The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has confirmed a significant expansion of the Third Level Graduate Scheme — the post-study stay-back provision for non-EU graduates of Irish universities. From January 2026, all graduates of Level 8 (honours bachelor's degree) programs from accredited Irish HEIs are now eligible for the 12-month graduate stay, with Level 9 (master's) and above graduates retaining the 24-month entitlement.
Updated Scheme Details
| Qualification Level | Graduate Stay Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor's) | Not eligible for Graduate Scheme |
| Level 8 (Honours Bachelor's) | 12 months (new — previously not included) |
| Level 9 (Master's) | 24 months |
| Level 10 (PhD) | 24 months |
Graduates must apply for the stay-back permission within 6 months of their course end date. They must also hold valid health insurance and be able to support themselves financially during the stay-back period.
Who Now Qualifies
The expansion primarily benefits graduates from programmes at Technological Universities (such as TU Dublin, MTU, ATU) and DIT that award Level 8 honours bachelor's degrees. Previously, these graduates were only eligible for the shorter 6-month Post-Study Work Extension, not the full Third Level Graduate Scheme.
Implications for Job Seekers
A 12-month stay in Ireland gives honours bachelor's graduates adequate time to:
- Search for employment with Irish companies, particularly in tech, pharma, and finance
- Apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit once a job is secured
- Build professional networks in Ireland's growing tech ecosystem
Ireland remains the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and LinkedIn. For Indian graduates in computer science, data science, and engineering, this expanded graduate scheme is a significant opportunity.
Read our complete Ireland study guide or talk to our Ireland specialist.