Non-EEA Doctors Scheme
If you are a non-EEA doctor wanting to come to Ireland to do short-term work at an Irish hospital, you may need to apply for the Atypical Working Scheme. Find out more about the requirements and the application process.
For assistance with your application, call our lawyers today on +1 844 290 6312.
Page Contents:
- What is the Atypical Working Scheme?
- What eligibility requirements do non-EEA doctors need to meet?
- What are the requirements for non-EU/EEA doctors who would like to work under the Atypical Working Scheme?
- How can non-EEA doctors apply for the Atypical Working Scheme?
- How long can I work in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme?
- What is the cost and waiting time for the Atypical Working Scheme?
- How can IAS help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Atypical Working Scheme?
The Atypical Working Scheme is intended for non-EEA nationals who want to come to Ireland to do certain short-term contract work that is not eligible for a general employment permit.
You should apply for the Atypical Working Scheme if you want to come to Ireland to do one of the following:
- Work in a position where a skill shortage has been identified
- To work in a position that offers a high skill to a certain industry or company
- To do a paid internship
- To work as a paid researcher
- To work as a nurse or midwife
- To work as a Locum Doctor
Therefore, the Atypical Working Scheme is an efficient immigration system for migrant doctors who want to come to Ireland to work temporarily.
What eligibility requirements do non-EEA doctors need to meet?
To qualify for the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You hold a job offer from an Irish employer at the time of applying
- You intend to come to Ireland to do short-term work
- You plan to only leave Ireland for a maximum of 14 days during the 90 days that you are allowed to spend working in Ireland
- You are able to provide evidence that proves your eligibility for the scheme
- You have enough money to cover your expenses during your stay in Ireland
- You are able to pay the relevant fees
- You plan to leave Ireland after your permission expires
As part of the application process for the Atypical Working Scheme, you will need to submit a number of supporting documents that prove your eligibility for it. Our lawyers can assess your circumstances and help you determine whether you qualify to come to Ireland under the scheme.
What are the requirements for non-EU/EEA doctors who would like to work under the Atypical Working Scheme?
Non-EU/EEA doctors who would like to come to Ireland to work under the Atypical Working Scheme will need to meet the following criteria:
- The doctor is registered with the General Medical Council of Ireland
- The doctor has plans to work as a locum doctor in the Primary Care Sector
- The doctor does not intend to undertake locum work together with an employment permit
- The doctor is only registered with one agency that is licensed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)
Furthermore, the Irish agency with which the doctor is registered must keep records of all the work the doctor has engaged in while in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme. This record of work must be shown to the Health Service Executive (HSE) upon their request.
How can non-EEA doctors apply for the Atypical Working Scheme?
To apply for the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to complete an online application form in which you provide personal details and give information about your qualifications and work experience. You also have to explain why you want to come to Ireland and what your employment there will be. In the form, you also have to indicate who will be your employer in Ireland and what professional activities you will be undertaking once in Ireland.
The next step is to gather documents that prove your eligibility for the Atypical Working Scheme. The exact documents you have to submit vary depending on your individual circumstances. Most applicants will need to submit the following documents:
- A copy of your valid passport
- A signed letter of authorization that gives your legal representative the right to act on your behalf
- Evidence confirming that you have registered with the Irish Medical Council
- The letter that confirms your job offer in Ireland
- Proof that you have enough finances to pay all relevant fees and cover all the expenses during your stay.
Once you have a portfolio of evidence ready, you have to send it over for processing. If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of approval. After that, you will have 90 days to travel to Ireland.
How long can I work in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme?
If your application for the Atypical Working Scheme is approved, you will be able to travel to Ireland and spend up to 90 days working there. The Atypical Working Scheme allows non-EEA doctors to do short-term contract work in the Irish health service. Nevertheless, after 90 days, you must leave Ireland.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to extend your permission to stay in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme. If you would like to spend more than 90 days in Ireland working as a doctor, you can apply for the scheme again after you return to your home country.
When submitting the new application, you will have to disclose the details of your previous employment in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme. Information you have to provide includes the Irish employer you worked for, the dates, and the locations where you worked as a doctor.
If your second application for the scheme is successful, you will be able to come back to Ireland for another 90 days. Keep in mind that 30 days have to pass after your first short-term stay in Ireland before you can enter the country again.
What is the cost and waiting time for the Atypical Working Scheme?
To obtain permission to come to Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to pay the application fee of €250. You need to make the payment online using the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Keep in mind that the fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected or if you withdraw it. This is why you should hire an immigration lawyer who can help you make sure that your application is as strong as possible.
As for the waiting time, you will have to wait at least 20 working days from submitting your online application to hear the decision. The processing time can take longer if your case is complex or if you fail to include some of the required documents. Once your application is approved and you are issued the Letter of Approval, you will have 90 days to travel to Ireland and start working as a doctor.
How can IAS help?
Applying for the Atypical Working Scheme can be complicated as there are many requirements you have to meet and documents you have to provide. By hiring an immigration lawyer, you can make this process significantly easier.
At IAS, we have a team of experienced lawyers who can guide you through each step of the application process, making sure you understand what is expected from you and what criteria you need to meet.
Your immigration lawyer can go over your application before you submit it to make sure that there are no mistakes and that you included all the necessary evidence. They can also answer all your questions and clear any doubts you might have. Thanks to their help, you can maximize the chances of your application being accepted.
Get in touch today by calling +1 844 290 6312 to find out more about how our lawyers can help.
Last modified on August 17th, 2022 at 6:09 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you come to Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme, you will have to comply with the following rules:
- You have to register with the Medical Council of Ireland to be able
- You commit to leaving Ireland after your 90-day-long permission expires
- You do not have the right to access public services
- You cannot work as a locum doctor if you already hold an Irish employment permit
Breaching these rules can lead to your permission being revoked and you have to return to your home country.
If you violate any of these conditions, your permission might be revoked and you will have to leave Ireland.
The Atypical Working Scheme allows non-EAA doctors to come to Ireland to do short-term work. This is why, unfortunately, those who successfully apply for the scheme do not have the right to bring their loved ones with them to Ireland.
If you would like your family to come to Ireland with you, they need to obtain their own permits such as the Irish Tourist Visa. Our lawyers can explain to you in detail how you can bring your family to Ireland with you.
When applying for the Atypical Working Scheme, you have to complete an online application form in which you provide the following information:
- Your personal details
- Information about your current employer and position
- Information about your proposed employment in Ireland
- Details of your host body in Ireland
If you hire one of our lawyers, they can help you complete the online application form and prepare documents that prove your eligibility for the scheme. We can also provide you with advice about obtaining an Irish Residence Permit once you are in the country.
If you have previously worked in Ireland as a non-EEA locum doctor and you want to come back to Ireland to do it again, you can. However, to be able to do it, you have to leave Ireland and submit a new application from abroad.
In the new application for the scheme, you have to provide information about the type, dates, and locations of your previous Atypical Working Scheme employment in Ireland. You also have to submit evidence of compliance with tax obligations by both you and your Irish host.
If your application is successful, you will be able to come back to Ireland to work as a non-EEA doctor for up to 90 days.
To create a more fair and efficient immigration system for doctors from non-EU/EEA countries to come to Ireland to work in the public health sector without affected doctors being hassled by administrative burden, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has recently announced new changes to immigration permissions granted to long-term doctors in Ireland.
Most doctors from visa-required countries who work in Ireland under General Employment Permits will now be given the same rights as those doctors who are in the country under the Critical Skills Employment Permit. Under these new immigration conditions, General Employment Permit Holders who have been working in Ireland as a doctor for at least 2 years will be given a Stamp 4 immigration permission granting them the right to work in Ireland without preconditions. Stamp 4 will also allow non-EU/EEA spouses to receive a Stamp 1G immigration status, allowing labour market access where they can enjoy full work privileges.
With these new immigration conditions, not only can Ireland better retain medical staff where needed but most non-EEA doctors can now enjoy better career opportunities including better access to Specialist Training Schemes. For more information regarding these new changes, speak with an experienced Irish immigration attorney today.