New visa rules for foreign third-level students

FOREIGN students who complete third-level degrees in Ireland will no longer have to leave the country upon graduation, Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin has said.

Until now no-EU students who studied at graduate or postgraduate level in Ireland have been required to leave once they have completed their studies. If they wish to work here, they have had to apply for work permits from abroad.

Mr Martin said he will add amendments to the Employment Permits Bill 2005 when the legislation reaches committee stage in early 2006. This will permit the granting of visas within Ireland to foreign students who have graduated from Irish universities and third-level institutions.