LPLandingPad Ireland

Your complete student landing guide

Move to Ireland.
Land with a plan.

Research permit-friendly employers, find housing, discover part-time work, organise essential documents and learn how to get around Ireland from one practical starting point.

Official permit statisticsLegal housing gatewayStep-by-step arrival guides
Ireland arrival snapshot 2025 data
31,044permits issued
8,330employer records
6housing hubs
21store locations
Dublin Cork Limerick Galway Maynooth Waterford
6 student hubsExplore jobs, homes and essentials

Why LandingPad?

The questions students ask before and after they arrive, answered in one place.

Employment permit intelligence

Know where the opportunities are.

Official 2025 DETE release Updated 8 Jan 2026
Permits issued31,044across Ireland in 2025
Employer records8,330searchable companies
Top countyDublin14,878 permits issued
Top sectorHealth & Social7,948 permits issued

Company permit finder

Search employers that received permits

Explore permit analytics

County and sector statistics come from official 2025 DETE tables. Company sponsorship history is shown separately because the published files do not link individual employers to county or sector.

Showing top employers

Permit history is an indicator, not a promise of a current vacancy or sponsorship. Always confirm details with the employer.

Part-time work gateway

Find work that fits around study.

Students can browse part-time opportunities by city, then continue to Indeed.ie to view the current jobs and apply.

Live jobs integration

Part-time jobs from Indeed

Powered by Indeed
Indeed Publisher access required

Once LandingPad is approved by Indeed and served over HTTPS, matching Indeed job cards will load here inside the platform. Each job will link to Indeed for the full listing and application.

View the live search on Indeed.ie ↗

LandingPad links to live Indeed searches and does not copy Indeed job advertisements. Confirm your own immigration conditions before accepting work.

Housing discovery

Find your first place from here.

Browse detailed room listings, compare your options and contact the advertiser without leaving LandingPad.

Nationwide search · Ireland

Daft.ie housing gateway

Shared homes across Ireland

Availability counts are reference summaries. Daft.ie remains the source of truth for live results and full property details.
View matching homes on Daft.ie
Stay alert.Never send money before viewing a property, checking the landlord, and confirming a written agreement.Safety tips ↗

LandingPad does not copy or republish Daft listings. Search summaries link to Daft.ie, where users can view the current inventory and contact advertisers.

LandingPad community housing

List a home. Post a request.

Direct listings and student requests live on LandingPad. Landlords complete verification before a property is published.

Verified landlord process1. Email account2. Identity check3. Ownership or authority evidence4. Listing review5. Verified badge

Nearby essentials

Find a little piece of home.

Discover international grocery stores and everyday essentials by city, cuisine and category.

Ireland essentials

The practical guide for your first months.

Understand the important cards, transport options, driving rules and the places worth exploring once you arrive.

01 · Essential number

Get your PPS Number

A Personal Public Service Number is your unique reference number for public services. Students commonly need it when starting employment so Revenue can handle tax correctly.

1

Wait until you have a reason to apply.A job offer or employment is a common reason. A PPSN is not issued only because you want one.

2

Create or use your MyGovID account.Open the online PPSN application through MyWelfare.

3

Prepare proof of identity.Use the identity document accepted for your nationality, such as your passport.

4

Prepare proof of address.Use a document showing your current Irish address. Follow the official list if your accommodation is temporary.

5

Upload evidence of why you need a PPSN.For employment, use supporting evidence such as an employer letter or contract.

6

Submit and monitor your application.The Department of Social Protection may contact you if anything else is needed.

Open the official PPSN application guide ↗
02 · Identity services

Get a Public Services Card

A PSC supports access to public services and a verified MyGovID. It is not an immigration card and it is not automatically required for every student.

1

Check whether you need SAFE registration.The Department of Social Protection may invite you or you may need the PSC for a service.

2

Book your appointment.Use the official PSC information page to find the appropriate registration route.

3

Collect your identity documents.Bring the required proof of identity, PPSN evidence where requested and proof of Irish address.

4

Attend in person.Your details are checked and your photograph is taken during SAFE registration.

5

Receive the card by post.Keep it safe. Use your verified MyGovID for supported online services.

Open the official PSC guide ↗
03 · Student travel

Get a Student or Young Adult Leap Card

A TFI Leap Card is a reusable travel card. Eligible students and young adults can access discounted fares on participating public transport.

1

Choose the correct card.Check whether your age makes you eligible for a Young Adult card or whether you need the Student card.

2

Apply through the Leap Card website.Follow the application route shown for your card category.

3

Verify eligibility if asked.Student-card applicants may need to follow the current student verification process.

4

Top up your card.Add travel credit before use or select an available ticket product.

5

Use it correctly.Tap on and tap off where required. Check TFI guidance for the service you are using.

Open the Student Leap Card guide ↗
04 · Immigration registration

Get your first Irish Residence Permit

An IRP is your immigration-registration certificate. If you are from outside the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland and plan to stay longer than 90 days, you generally need to register your permission within 90 days of arrival.

Current process: Since 13 January 2025, first-time registrations for residents anywhere in the Republic of Ireland are handled by Immigration Service Delivery at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
1

Arrive in Ireland first.You can only book a first-time registration appointment after arriving in Ireland.

2

Create your ISD Customer Service account.Use the Immigration Service Delivery portal and create your personal profile.

3

Book a free first-time appointment.Choose an available registration appointment at Burgh Quay. Do not pay anyone to book it.

4

Print the address form.Complete the address form attached to your appointment confirmation. This is where your IRP card will be posted.

5

Prepare your Stamp 2 student documents.Bring your valid passport, proof of address, entry visa and landing stamp where applicable, enrolment letter dated on or after your course started, proof of paid fees, scholarship proof if applicable, and original medical or travel insurance with the required cover. Bring printed originals or printed supporting documents as required.

6

Attend the appointment.Check in at the kiosk. An officer reviews your documents, takes your photograph and fingerprints, and processes your registration.

7

Pay the fee if applicable.The usual Stamp 2 registration fee is €300. Pay by credit or debit card only.

8

Receive your IRP card by post.The government guidance says cards are generally posted within approximately 10-15 working days after processing.

Foreign licences · Read carefully

Can you drive with your existing licence?

If your licence is from the EU or EEA, it remains valid in Ireland while it is current. Visitors with a valid foreign licence may generally drive for up to 12 months. If you become normally resident in Ireland, exchange rules depend on the issuing country. Licences from recognised states may be exchangeable; licences from other countries are not exchangeable and usually require the Irish learner-driver process.

EU or EEAUse a current licence. Exchange is optional in many cases.
Recognised exchange stateCheck NDLS eligibility and exchange requirements.
Other countryBegin the Irish licensing process if resident.
Check NDLS exchange rules ↗
Irish licence route

Getting an Irish driving licence

  1. Pass the Driver Theory Test.
  2. Apply for a learner permit.
  3. Complete Essential Driver Training lessons when required.
  4. Practise while following learner-driver rules.
  5. Pass the driving test.
  6. Apply for the full licence.
€45Theory test
€45Learner permit
€85Driving test
€6510-year licence

Core official fees total approximately €240. Add EDT lessons, practice lessons, insurance and vehicle access. Lesson prices vary by instructor.

RSA learner-driver steps ↗
Rail

Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail

Book intercity trains and check timetables for rail travel around Ireland.

Book trains ↗
National bus

Bus Éireann

Regional and intercity bus services, including many towns outside the rail network.

Plan a bus journey ↗
Intercity coach

Expressway

Bus Éireann's commercial intercity coach network for selected routes.

Book Expressway ↗
Private coach

Citylink

Useful for routes including Dublin, Galway, Cork and airport connections.

Book Citylink ↗
Private coach

Dublin Coach

Intercity services on selected corridors, including stops outside Dublin.

Book Dublin Coach ↗
Journey planner

Transport for Ireland

Use the official journey planner to compare public-transport routes and services.

Plan with TFI ↗

First weeks checklist

Your soft landing, one step at a time.

01

Before you fly

Research housing, line up viewings, organise documents and build a shortlist of employers.

02

First 7 days

Settle into temporary accommodation, arrange your IRP appointment and get connected.

03

First month

Open a bank account, apply for a PPS number and understand your work permissions.

04

Build your circle

Find your local stores, student communities and support services near campus.