Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour gaps for the benefit of our economy. In recognition of the importance of front-line medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications.
There has been an unprecedented demand for Atypical Working Scheme permissions in the first three months of this year with a significant increase in the numbers for healthcare workers. Additional resources have been deployed to manage the scheme recently.
As of 31 May 2023, the number of applications on hand was 2,041.
The current processing time of applications is approximately 35 days.
My Department is working to reduce processing times through the modernisation of our systems and the introduction of efficiencies, as well as additional streamlining measures which should also reduce processing times for AWS applications.
The AWS unit continues to liaise with all relevant stakeholders in this area and further information on the Atypical Working Scheme, including the criteria for documents, is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/.
The number of applications received and processed year-to-date is provided for below. The same period for 2022 & 2021 is included to demonstrate the increase in the volume of applications that the AWS Unit is receiving.
|
Year
|
Applications Received
|
Decisions
|
|
2021 (1 Jan to 31 May)
|
2,677
|
3,116
|
|
2022 (1 Jan to 31 May)
|
3,260
|
3,077
|
|
2023 (1 Jan to 31 May)
|
5,376
|
3,759
|
