Working Holiday in Ireland: Step-by-Step Application Guide (Taiwanese Passport)

Since I originally applied for my Working Holiday in Ireland visa back in late 2013, I’ve pieced together this detailed guide based on my fading memories and the most up-to-date information available online. If you spot anything that’s outdated or incorrect, feel free to leave a comment below to help keep this article accurate!

Eligibility

The following information applies to holders of a Taiwanese passport. If you’re applying with a different nationality, please consult the official Working holidays in Ireland website to check your eligibility.

Who Can Apply

1. Must hold a passport from the Republic of China (Taiwan)
2. Aged 18 to 30 (you can apply anytime before turning 31)
3. The main purpose of the visit should be cultural exchange and tourism, with work as a secondary goal
4. No dependents may accompany you unless they also hold a valid working holiday visa
5. A valid outbound flight ticket departing from Ireland + at least €2,500 in funds (not recommended), or
   At least €4,000 in savings to cover both living expenses and a return ticket
6. Must hold private health insurance that covers hospitalization and emergency repatriation for the duration of your stay
7. Must not have previously stayed in Ireland under a working holiday visa
8. Must have no criminal record

Annual Quota

400 participants from Taiwan per year

Length of Stay

12 months

Step-by-Step Application Guide

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in joining the working holiday program in Ireland, the first step is to register by email to secure a spot. Below is a breakdown of the application process:

Register via Email

Send an email to corina.mc.tsai@gmail.com with the following details:

• Full Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number

Each applicant may only register once. The first 400 applicants to successfully register will be placed on the primary list. If any of these applicants withdraw, spots will be offered to individuals on the waitlist, in order of registration.

Registration for the 2025 Working Holiday Visa will officially open on November 1, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Early submissions will not be accepted, so make sure to send your email at the specified time.

Note: Application dates vary each year. Please refer to the Working Holidays in Ireland website for the most up-to-date submission deadlines.

Submit Required Documents

If you’re among the first 400 to register, Corina Tsai will contact you and request that you send your application documents for preliminary review to the following address:

Recipient: Ms. Meiju Tsai
Address: 6F, No. 5, Lane 306, Section 1, Binhai Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City 25172, Taiwan

Please include the following documents (note: none will be returned):

1. Completed Application Form
   Download from the official Working Holidays in Ireland – Application Form page and fill it out in English. Typing is preferred; if handwritten, make sure it is clearly legible. Be especially careful to provide the correct email address.
   • Sign the declaration page (signature can be in English or Chinese) and include the date.
2. Photocopy of Entire Passport
   • Do not send the original passport.
   • Include all pages, including blanks.
   • Passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure from Ireland.
   • Can be in colour or black and white.
   • Print four pages per A4 sheet, double-sided. This helps reduce paper and shipping costs (copy shops can assist).
   • Organize neatly; do not trim or cut pages.
3. Four Recent Colour Passport Photos
   • Must meet passport photo standards.
   • Sign your full English name on the back of each photo.
4. Original Bank Statement (in English)
   • Must show a balance of at least €4,000.
   • If your account is in another currency (USD, AUD, TWD, etc.), ensure the amount is equivalent (around NT$140,000 – check current rates).
5. Visa Application Fee: NT$3,000
   • Non-refundable.
   • Pay by postal money order or cash, included with your application documents.
   • Once your documents pass the initial review, they’ll be forwarded by DHL from Taiwan to Ireland for final processing.
6. Return Envelope (standard mail)
   • Attach NT$8 postage.
   • Will be used to send your receipt, which is required to collect your visa later.

If any documents are incorrect or missing, you’ll be notified to submit the missing items. After completing these steps, you’ll be officially eligible to receive your Irish working holiday visa.

Collect Your Visa Authorization Letter

Once your documents have been received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), they will conduct a final review and issue an Authorization Letter. Once approved, the letter will be couriered back to Taiwan. Ms. Tsai will notify you when it’s ready for pickup.

To collect your Authorization Letter, bring the following:

• Your original passport
• One-way ticket to Ireland
• Proof of health insurance (in English), valid for 12 months starting from your arrival in Ireland

Important Notes

1. All Authorization Letters will be issued and mailed to Taipei by the end of February 2025.
2. The Authorization Letter is valid for 12 months, and participants must depart for Ireland before December 31, 2025.
3. The maximum duration of stay under the working holiday visa is 12 months. Extensions are not allowed.
4. If you stay in Ireland for more than 3 months, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and apply for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP card). A registration fee is required. The IRP allows multiple entries and exits during your stay.
5. You are required to purchase medical insurance, including coverage for hospitalization and emergency repatriation.
6. Upon arrival, you must comply with all local laws and regulations in Ireland.
7. The Irish authorities reserve the right to assess and reject working holiday visa applications.
8. Holding an Authorization Letter does not guarantee entry. You will still need to go through standard immigration procedures upon arrival.
9. The Irish authorities reserve the right to deny entry or deport any visa holder in accordance with immigration law.
10. The program may be suspended or terminated partially or entirely if it is deemed to affect national security, public order, public health, or immigration policy.

Helpful Online Resources

• daft.ie – Rental listings
• 愛爾蘭打工度假交流分享區 – Facebook group
• 背包客棧 (其他打工旅遊) – Backpackers.com.tw
• jobs.ie – Job board
• IRISHjobs.ie – Job board
• Recruit – Job board
• Monster – Job board
• adverts.ie – Classifieds (jobs, goods, etc.)

Salary Reference

Starting January 2025, the national minimum wage in Ireland is €13.50 per hour.

In Dublin, the average hourly wage is approximately €25.

For legal employment, wages are typically taxed at source by your employer in accordance with government regulations.

Estimated Pre-Departure and First Month Expenses

Here’s a breakdown of my personal spending when I joined the Ireland Working Holiday program at the end of 2013. It might serve as a reference for future applicants:

Item	Cost
International courier fee for visa application	NT$300
One-year medical insurance	~NT$4,862
One-way flight to Ireland	NT$22,680
Administrative processing fee	NT$1,000
GNIB (now IRP) registration fee	€300
One-month language school tuition (optional)	€285
First month hostel accommodation	€355
First month transport costs	€20 (I mostly walked everywhere)
First month living expenses	€300
First month phone bill	€20

This wraps up the entire process for applying for the Irish Working Holiday Visa, along with expected salaries and approximate expenses. While finding a job might be challenging due to the current economic climate, we hope everyone pursuing a Working Holiday in Ireland finds the experience both rewarding and enriching!

Travel and Life in Ireland

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