The Big Picture: Why This Matters for Indian Students
In a significant policy shift that has largely flown under the radar, Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced changes to employment permit salary thresholds that will come into effect in March 2026. The headline change: a new "Recent Graduate" category with a lower salary requirement.
This announcement comes at a pivotal moment. While the UK has been progressively tightening its immigration policies—raising the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024—Ireland is moving in the opposite direction, making it easier for international graduates to transition from study to work.
The Numbers: Ireland vs UK Salary Thresholds 2026
| Visa Type | 🇮🇪 Ireland 2026 | 🇬🇧 UK 2024 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Work Permit (Standard) | €38,000 (₹33.5L) | £38,700 (₹41L) | Ireland ₹7.5L cheaper |
| Recent Graduate (NEW)Within 2 years of graduation | €35,000 (₹31L) | N/A | Ireland ₹10L cheaper |
What This Means for Indian Students
For Indian students graduating from Irish universities in 2026 and beyond, this policy change is significant:
- ✅ Easier Work Permit: Entry-level roles at €35,000+ now qualify for Recent Graduate permit (vs €38,000 standard threshold)
- ✅ Competitive Advantage: Ireland becomes more attractive than UK for post-study work opportunities
- ✅ Path to PR: After 2 years on Critical Skills permit, apply for Stamp 4 (unrestricted work rights)
- ✅ EU Citizenship: After 5 years, apply for Irish citizenship which grants EU citizenship