We received this email from Irish Immigration in June 2017:
—–Original Message—–
From: Immigpol [mailto:immigpol@justice.ie]
Sent: 01 June 2017 16:42
To: immigpol@justice.ie
Subject: Third Level Graduate Programme 2017 Revision
To whom it may concern
The new arrangements applying to the Graduate Programme from 31 May 2017 onwards are due to be announced on the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) website this evening. I attach the updated policy document for your information which should be read in conjunction with this email.
The following is a summary of the conditions associated with the new programme.
Qualifiying criteria
In order to qualify graduates:
Must have been notified in writing by the relevant awarding body or
institution on or after 1 January 2017 that they have achieved the
award for which they had enrolled as a student.
Must hold a current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an
up-to-date immigration registration card, and must apply within six
months of being notified by the relevant awarding body or institution
that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a
student.
Must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on their
permission as a non-EEA national student in the State.
May, if having previously benefitted from the Third Level Graduate
Programme at a level 8 award or above, on achievement of a higher
level award, e.g. level 9 or above, re-enter the Third Level Graduate
Programme, subject to the overall limit of eight years.
A graduate will not be permitted to access the Programme on more than
two separate occasions, subject to 4) above.
Must, in line with the obligation on any non-EEA national seeking to
renew their permission to be in the State, comply with the laws of
the State. Such persons are expected to be of good character and not
to have come to the adverse attention of the authorities in any way.
Must present evidence of the final award being attained by way of a
parchment or, in circumstances where the graduation ceremony is yet
to take place, an official letter for the awarding body / institution
confirming that the award has been achieved. We will revert with
arrangements for checking with the institutions and further
information, including contact details will circulate in due course.
Categories of award and timelines applying
Graduates with an award of a recognised Irish awarding body at Levels 8
and above on the NFQ may qualify for this programme. The following
are recognised Irish awarding bodies:
The seven Irish universities; i.e. Trinity College, UCD, DCU,
Maynooth Univerisity, UCC, NUIG and the University of Limerick
Dublin Institute of Technology
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Institutes of Technology
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Graduates with an award at Level 8 are entitled to a twelve-month 1G
permission to a maximum of seven years’ student permission overall..
Graduates with an award at Level 9 or above may be granted an additional
twelve-month permission, totalling twenty-four months and to a maximum
of eight years’ student permission overall. . In order to avail of the
second twelve-month permission, the individual must demonstrate they
have made suitable steps to secure graduate level employment, e.g.
attending interviews and / or registering with an employment agency.
Students graduating from May 2017 only are eligible to apply for the
twenty-four month permission, therefore such renewal of Stamp 1G will
only apply from May 2018.
Transitional arrangements
Previously, holders of an award at Level 7 on the NFQ and holders of
overseas-accredited Masters awards were eligible for a seven-month 1G
permission. With the implementation of the new Graduate Programme, such
awards will cease to be an eligible basis for granting this permission.
The following transitional arrangements apply:
Students enrolled, on or before 31 May 2017, on a programme leading
to an award at level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications
may present to their local registration office to renew their period
of residence in the State for a period of six months’ only and will
receive a Stamp 1G. These transitional arrangements will cease to
apply after 31 December 2019. Students enrolled after 31 May 2017
in a programme leading to an award at Level 7 will not be permitted
to avail of the Third Level Graduate Programme.
Students enrolled on or before 31 May 2017 in a programme leading to
an equivalent award at Level 9 of the National Framework of
Qualifications but accredited by an overseas awarding body may apply
for a six months’ permission on Stamp 1G conditions. This provision
will cease with effect from 31 August 2018.
Regards
Immigration & Citizenship Policy