Non-EEA Doctors Working Scheme Ireland

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.

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.

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.