Non-EEA Doctors Working Scheme Ireland

If you are a doctor who is a citizen of a non-EEA country and you want to come to Ireland to undertake certain short-term contract work, you might be eligible to do so under the Atypical Working Scheme.

To receive assistance with applying for the Atypical Working Scheme, get in touch with our immigration experts on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or +353 19039449.

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When it comes to obtaining an Ireland visa or permit, IAS Ireland immigration lawyers are well-equipped to help you.

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What is the Atypical Working Scheme for doctors?

If you are a doctor from Non-EEA nationals, this scheme might be the best route for you to come to Ireland to work.

The Atypical Working Scheme allows non-EEA nationals to come to Ireland to do certain short-term contract work that is not eligible for an employment permit. There are several types of employment permits you might be eligible for depending on your profession and qualifications. Non-EEA nationals need an employment visa to work in Ireland.

The Atypical Working Scheme is intended for applicants coming to Ireland for the following purposes:

To fill a position where a skill shortage has been identified
To engage in work that offers high skill to an industry, company, or academic institution
To complete paid internship relevant to their course of study
To work as a paid researcher
To work as a Locum Doctor
To work as a nurse or midwife.

How can non-EEA doctors qualify for the Atypical Working Scheme?

Non-EEA doctors who want to come to Ireland under this scheme have to meet the following requirements:

Be registered with the General Medical Council of Ireland
Be working as a locum doctor in the Primary Care Sector
Not intend to undertake locum work together with an employment permit
Be registered with only one agency.

In addition to that, the Irish agency must store all records of work that the foreign doctor engages in throughout the 90 day period of their permitted stay in Ireland. If requested, the agency has to show this record to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Moreover, to be able to host non-EEA locum doctors, the Irish agency has to obtain a licence from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

What requirements must non-EEA doctors meet for the Atypical Working Scheme?

To be able to come to Ireland temporarily to work as a doctor, you have to meet the following requirements:

Have received a job offer from an Irish agency before submitting the application
If you intend to go abroad and come back, only leave Ireland for a maximum of 14 days during the 90 day period that you are permitted to work. The 14 days can be taken consecutively or over several trips
Intend to leave Ireland on the day or before you 90 day work permission expires
Be able to provide supporting evidence that confirms your eligibility for the scheme
Be able to pay the relevant fees and have enough funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Ireland.

If you are not sure whether you are eligible to come to Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme, talk to our immigration lawyers. They will analyse your circumstances and will help you apply.

How to apply for the Atypical Working Scheme?

You have to submit your application for the Atypical Working Scheme outside of Ireland. The first step of the application process requires you to complete an online form where you have to provide your personal details, information about your current occupation, and explanation of what your proposed employment in Ireland will be. You have to state who your Irish host body will be and what professional activities you will be involved in once in Ireland.

After you submit the form, you can start gathering documents that prove your eligibility for the scheme. If you are not sure what evidence to submit, contact our immigration lawyers. They will help you prepare a complete portfolio of evidence.

If your application for the Atypical Working Scheme is successful, you will receive a letter of approval that will remain valid for 90 days from the date of issue. If you fail to use it within this time frame, you will need to submit a new application for the scheme.

What supporting documents to include in the application for the Atypical Working Scheme?

As part of the application for the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to submit the following documents:

A copy of your passport that needs to be valid throughout the 90 day work permission that you are applying for
A signed letter of authorisation that entitles your legal representative to act on your behalf
Proof that you have registered with the Irish Medical Council
A letter that confirms your offer of employment from the Irish agency and that outlines what your tasks, salary, and duration of the contract will be
Proof that you have paid the application fee to the Department of Justice and Equality.

If you forget to include some of these documents, the processing of your application might take longer than it normally would.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance on your British Citizenship case.

Can I extend my work permission under the Atypical Working Scheme?

If you come to Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme, you will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days. It is not possible to extend this period. That means that after 90 days, you are obliged to leave the country.

Nevertheless, if you want to stay in Ireland longer and work, you can apply for the Atypical Working Scheme again after you return to your home country.
When submitting a new application for the Atypical Working Scheme you have to provide details regarding your previous employment under the scheme. You need to prove the dates and locations where you worked as a locum doctor when you were last in Ireland with this permission.

If your application is approved, you will be able to come back to Ireland on the same conditions. It is worth noting that 30 days have to pass after your initial permission expires before you can re-enter Ireland.

What conditions do non-EEA doctors coming to Ireland under the scheme have to comply with?

If your application for the Atypical Working Scheme is approved, you will be able to come to Ireland and work. Nevertheless, you have to comply with the following conditions:

You cannot take up employment and work before you register with the Medical Council of Ireland
You have to leave Ireland on the day or before your 90 day long permission expires
You cannot try to access public funds
You cannot undertake locum work while also holding an employment permit.

Breaching these rules can lead to your permission being revoked and you having to return to your home country.

If you have any questions about your application, our team is happy to assist.

How can IAS help?

At IAS, our highly-qualified Immigration consultants have expert knowledge of Irish immigration law. They have helped many clients successfully apply for various visas and permits to Ireland, including the Atypical Working Scheme.

Our experts can assess your eligibility for this scheme to determine whether it is the right permission for you. If they conclude that you meet the requirements, they can help you submit your application. They will guide you through the whole process to make sure everything is clear. They will also review your application before you submit it to identify any mistakes you should correct.

Thanks to the help of our immigration experts, you can be sure that your application has been completed to the highest standard, thus increasing your chances of a positive outcome.

To find out more about how we can help, call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or +353 19039449.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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Written by Immigration Advice Service

Editorial Team

This content was developed by a team of researchers, editors, and lawyers who provide valuable information to those with immigration queries.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to apply for the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to pay the application fee of €250. The payment is made online by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This fee is non-refundable even if your application is withdrawn or rejected.

Unfortunately, if your application for the Atypical Working Scheme is approved, your family will not be able to accompany you to Ireland. If you want your loved ones to come with you, they need to apply for their own permits. They could, for example, consider applying for the Tourist Visa to Ireland if they just want to visit you and see the country.

Talk to our immigration experts to find out what the best route to bring your family to Ireland with you is.

After you submit your application for the Atypical Working Scheme you will have to wait at least 20 working days to receive the decision. If your application is approved, INIS will send you a Letter of Approval. You will then have 90 days to travel to Ireland and start working under the scheme.

One of the eligibility requirements for the Atypical Working Scheme is to be in receipt of an employment offer from an Irish host body. If your application is approved, you will be able to come to Ireland to work as a locum doctor for this employer. That said, you cannot apply for the Atypical Working Scheme without a job offer.

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