If you are confused about relocating within the European continent, it’s no surprise. The concept of England, the UK, and Great Britain are often difficult enough to comprehend. When you add the European Union and then the Schengen Area to this, on top of the recent Brexit all becomes rather confusing. Let’s begin by clearing a few things up.
Where Do Ireland and Ukraine Sit in This Confusion?
Luckily, Brexit shouldn’t have any impact on relocating from Ukraine to Ireland. This is because though the UK has left, Ireland is still a member of the EU. However, it is not a member of the Schengen Area. This is unfortunate for Ukrainians because as of 2017, despite not being an EU member, citizens could travel for up to 90 days visa-free.
Visa Types to Enter Ireland
Visas are categorized into the following groups:
- Short stay visas (‘C’ visa)
- Long stay visas (‘D’ visa)
- Re-entry visa
- Transit visas
- Multiple entries & single-entry visas
For relocation from Ukraine to Ireland, we will focus on the long-stay visas (for a duration of more than 90 days). There are long-stay study visas, volunteer visas, minster of religion visa, and join a family member visa. There are also three types of employment visas. If you have been offered a job in Ireland, you will need to provide that following documentation along with your application:
- 2 passport photos no more than 6 months old
- A valid passport and copies of previous passports
- A letter of application outlining your reasons to move to Ireland and the details
- Employment Permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise, & Innovation
- Employment contract/letter from the employer in Ireland
- Proof of qualifications and experience in your field
- Bank statements showing transactions over the last 6 months and proof of funds to cover your costs
- Medical/Travel Insurance
- Details of any previous visa refusals
Employment in Ireland
The tech industry is growing rapidly in Ireland with big names like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn moving headquarters there and providing great employment opportunities. It’s also home to biotech and pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson. For more job postings, you can look at Jobs.ie, ie.indeed.com, and JobsIreland.ie.
Accommodation in Ireland
Ireland is the second most expensive country in Western Europe and a single person can expect to have monthly costs of around 2,750€. Rent for a 45m2 furnished apartment can cost around 1,200€ and an additional 91€ for utilities (per person). Naturally, Dublin is a popular area, but you will be able to find cheaper accommodation when you look at cities like Cork and Galway. Rent.ie, Daft.ie and MyHome.ie are good places to start looking for accommodation.
What to Expect in Ireland?
Ireland is an absolutely stunning country, a gem by nickname. The Emerald Island has luscious green landscapes as well as impressive coasts. Giant’s Causeway is a popular attraction, but you can take advantage of the amazing scenes across the whole of Ireland.
As well as the beautiful countryside, you have a national of genuinely beautiful people. The Irish are incredibly friendly and welcoming so you will find it easy to settle and meet new people. Social lives, pubs, and music are all strong parts of the Irish culture, along with Guinness of course.
The Irish language is visually noticeable, and you will see a lot on signs, but it isn’t spoken that often. You will need a good level of English, particularly listening skills as the accent can be quite strong.
