Ultimate Guide to Ireland’s Working Holiday Authorisation
I’ve gotten many emails over the past few years of people who come across my blog and want to know “How did you do it?” How, at 22 years of age, did I move from South Louisiana to Dublin, Ireland? Did I do it through a program? Did I have a job? How did I afford it? Was it scary?
Well, folks, I’ll tell you how I did it. I up and moved to Dublin, with no job or place to live, because of a little something known as the Working Holiday Authorisation – an amazing (yet little-known) program between Ireland and citizens of The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Hong Kong, Chile, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
The rules and requirements vary slightly from country to country. For the purpose of this post I’m focusing on the Working Holiday Authorisation offered to people from the United States.
So here we go!
[UPDATE: This post has been updated in 2022 with new/updated information. For example, some processes/applications that had to be done in-person when this article was originally written in 2017 have now been moved online, companies that are no longer in business have been removed, etc. This has all been reflected here.]
All About Ireland’s Working Holiday Authorisation
What is the Working Holiday Authorisation?
To quote the Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, The Working Holiday Authorisation is “an agreement with other governments that allows young people of both countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work. It allows US citizens travel through Ireland for an extended amount of time and to take up employment during their stay.”
So basically, I like to think of it like a gap year. The Working Holiday Authorisation allowed me to move to Ireland after I graduated college with no job lined up, no family ties or connections to the country, and basically no plans. And I was able to live there for a year. Exciting, right?
Who can apply?
The Working Holiday Authorisation is for US citizens 18-30 years old who are currently enrolled full-time in post-secondary education at an institution inside or outside of the US, or who have graduated from such education in the last 12 months. So basically, you need to be a full-time college/university student or have graduated college/university no more than a year before applying.
Where do I apply?
Apply for the Working Holiday Authorisation through the Irish Embassy and Consulate Generals in the US. What state you’re from will determine which Consulate to apply to. Each state is assigned to a certain Consulate depending on region and location. Ireland’s Consulates in the US that process these applications are in Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, and the main Embassy in DC.
I am from Louisiana, so I had to send my application to the Consulate in Chicago. Find out which Consulate to apply to based on where you live here. (Under “How to Apply – US Citizens Only” tab).
1. Consulate General New York: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North & South Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
2. Consulate General Boston: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
3. Consulate General San Francisco: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
4 Consulate General Chicago: Alabama, Arkansas, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin
5. Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and Puerto Rico
How do I apply?
Once you’ve determined where you need to send your application, it’s time to actually apply.
First, print out the official Application for a Working Holiday Authorisation. Make sure to fill out the application entirely and sign. You’ll need to fill out your intended date of entry and how long you intend to stay. The Working Holiday Authorisation is valid for a year. However, some people know that they’ll only be there for a certain amount of time – 3 months, 6 months, etc. Unless you’re entirely sure that you are leaving or have to leave before the year is up for whatever reason, I would suggest saying that you’re intending to stay 1 year. If you decide to leave Ireland early for some reason, it’s not a big deal. But at least that way, you have the full year if you change your mind and decide you want to stay longer.
If you have any relatives or contact in Ireland, you can include that on the application. However, it’s absolutely no issue if you don’t. Like I said, I had absolutely no ties to Ireland via ancestors, relatives, or anything. So I had no contacts. Its OK if you don’t, and it won’t affect your application. It’s also not a big deal if you have no employment arranged before you get there. Again, answering no to those sections of the application won’t affect your acceptance.
Required Documents
Along with the filled out and signed application, you’ll have to turn in some other stuff too:
- A photocopy of your passport, which has to be valid until AT LEAST a year after your planned arrival date into Ireland.
- 2 recent identical passport-sized photos with your name on the back.
- Current résumé, which as to contain at least 2 references.
- Current transcript or official letter from the university as evidence that you are currently in full-time post-secondary education. These must be the ORIGINAL copies of the documents, but they’ll be returned to you after your application has been reviewed.
- OR a Diploma or official letter from the university as evidence that have graduated within the last 12 months. Again, these need to be ORIGINAL copies.
- ORIGINAL bank statement showing you have access to at least $4,000
- The non-refundable fee and postage in the form of a money order, cashier’s check or bank draft made out to your relevant Embassy/Consulate.
Make sure to send your completed application and documents through certified mail or a courier company. Since it will contain sensitive documents and money you do NOT want it getting lost in the mail. Or, if you happen to live in or near one of the consulate cities, you can drop off the application in person. Just make sure to check your consulate/embassy site to see if you need to make an appointment.
You can find more information on how to apply here.
What happens next?
Once the Consulate or Embassy have received your application, it’ll take about 6-8 weeks for your application to be processed. Well, that’s how long they say it’ll be, but I got my approved application back within 3 weeks.
You’ll be notified if your application is approved. Once your application is approved, you’ll need to submit a few more things:
- Proof that you’ve bought a roundtrip flight. This is to ensure that you don’t intend to overstay your visa after the 12 months and remain in Ireland illegally. However, the flight doesn’t have to be from the US to Ireland and back. If you’re planning on traveling elsewhere in Europe after your stay in Ireland, you can submit a ticket from Ireland to another destination.
- Certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for at least a full year after ticketed date of entry.
Turn in those last 2 pieces of documentation. Once they’ve been approved by the Consulate/Embassy, you’ll receive your official Working Holiday Authorisation in the mail. PUT IT IN A SAFE PLACE AND DON’T LOSE IT. You have to “activate” your Working Holiday Authorization, or enter into Ireland with your visa, within 6 months of receiving it.
YAY! You’ve officially got your Working Holiday Authorisation visa! You’re going to Ireland, baby!
Now that I have my Working Holiday Authorisation, what’s next?
What should I arrange before landing in Ireland?
Like I said before, you most likely won’t be able to find an apartment or permanent residence before you arrive. So, you’ll need to book temporary accommodation, like a hostel or Airbnb, for when you get there.
Temporary Accomodation
I stayed at Abigail’s Hostel on the Quays for a few nights when I first arrived to Dublin. It’s affordable and in a great location with friendly staff and free breakfast. Plus, it’s near the immigration office, which you’ll have to go to (more on that later).
Another option is to do a Homestay. It’s a website kind of like Airbnb except that you live with the homeowners in their actual home. Most of the time you’re just renting a room in someone’s house. This is a good option if you want to arrange something for a few weeks, because it will come out cheaper than a hostel. It’s also a great way to get a more local experience. When I arrived in Dublin, I stayed at Abigail’s Hostel for 3 nights and then went to a Homestay where I would stay for another 2 weeks before I was able to find a permanent place.
That brings me to another point. Some people who go to Ireland with the Working Holiday Authorisation know they want to work on a farm in the countryside or have a specific place they want to live that isn’t Dublin. If that’s the case, I would still recommend starting off in Dublin. It’ll be easy to get your taxes, cell phone, and bank all in order in Dublin where it’s all easily accessible.
Unlocked Cell Phone
If you have access to an old cell phone that you can unlock through your carrier, I would definitely recommend getting one. “Unlocking” your phone means you can insert a SIM card from any mobile provider and it’ll work. So for example, if you’re an AT&T costumer on a contract plan with an iPhone, that iPhone is locked to AT&T and won’t work if you put another type of SIM card into it. But what WILL work is an old phone you or anyone you know had before upgrading to a new one. If it’s no longer connected to an active contract, you can unlock it and use it with any carrier. Make sense?
Find out more about how to unlock a phone here. If you don’t have an old phone to unlock and can’t find anyone who does, it’s ok. You can get one in Ireland. This is just an easy way to save some money by using an old phone.
What do I pack?
When packing for your Working Holiday, remember that you will be in Ireland for an entire year. Which means that you’ll experience every time of weather the little island has to offer. From chilly to rainy to mild to downright FREEZING, you’ll be there for it all.
But remember, you don’t have to bring your whole closet with you. You can buy lots of stuff you need once you get there. You’ll be making many a trip to Penney’s when you first arrive, trust me. (I’ll touch on the heaven on earth that is Penney’s later). I arrived in Ireland with 1 large suitcase and 1 carry on. But if I were to pack up all the stuff I’ve accumulated here, I’d have like 5 suitcases.
But what stuff should you bring? I suggest a winter hat, gloves, a warm coat, a rain jacket, versatile clothes for layering, a good pair of boots, and some shoes that are easy to walk in.
What do you NOT need to bring?
Shorts – no one really wears them. Socks and undergarments – if you’re tight for space in your suitcase, just leave them at home and buy some when you get here (in Penney’s, of course).
Basically, just think about it like this: You most likely won’t have permanent accommodation before arrival. So you may be in a hostel or temporary accommodation. You also won’t have a car. Do you really want to moving around with multiple large suitcases using a taxi or public transport? No, trust me, you do not.
Yay! I made it to Ireland! Now what?
Once you get settled into your hostel/accommodation, it’s time to start getting “set up” in Ireland.
The three most important things that you need to get when you get there are
- IRP Card – This is super important!
- PPS Number – the equivalent of a social security number, for tax purposes.
- Bank Account
These 3 things are what you need to apply for a job and find a place to live. However, things can get a little tricky between opening a bank account, getting a PPS number, and applying for a IRP card. You may find that to get one thing you’ll be asked for proof of another thing. It’s just one big complicated circle.
How to Get an IRP Card
First, you’ll get a ‘Temporary’ IRP Card
When you arrive in Dublin and go through immigration control at Dublin Airport, make sure to show the officer at border control your Working Holiday Authorisation document. This will serve as proof that you have permission to work in Ireland. They’ll stamp your passport with a large stamp, one that looks different than the normal “tourist” stamp you get when you are just visiting a foreign country. This stamp is basically a temporary Irish Residence Permit (IRP). That temporary stamp is valid for 3 months. The immigration officer at the airport write the expiration date on it to show until when it is valid. They’ll explain to you that you’ll need to go to the immigration office to register with the Garda Naturalisation and Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to get an IRP card.
What is an IRP Card?
Anyone from outside the EU coming into Ireland and intending to stay for more than 90 days needs permission in the form of an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
I want to take a sec to explain the difference between the WHA and your residence permit, because it took me a while to understand why I needed both. Residence permits come in the form of “Stamps.” There are several different types of immigration Stamps. They each have different conditions attached to them that you have to abide by or else risk deportation. Some popular Stamps are:
Stamp 1
Gives you permission to work in Ireland ONLY if you hold a valid employment permit or you have special permission to be exempt from holding an employment permit (like if you’re setting up your own business or are self-employed).
Stamp 2
The “student visa.” Gives you permission to study a full-time course, but only gives you permission to work 20 hours/week during the school year and 40 hours/week during holidays.
Stamp 4
Gives you permission to work without having to have an employment permit. These can be given to people who have held a valid Stamp 1 and employment permit for over 5 years, or someone who is married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen, for example.
There are many other types of Stamps, but these are the most common! Find out more about different types of Immigration Stamps here.
As a holder of a WHA, your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) will be a Stamp 1. This gives you permission to work in Ireland ONLY if you have a valid employment permit. In your case, this is the WHA. So, although you have your WHA at this point, you still need to register with the GNIB to officially get permission to remain in Ireland. The type of “Permission”/Stamp you receive is printed on an IRP card to indicate that you’ve successfully registered with immigration.
Make sense? Ok great!
How to get a IRP Card
As mentioned above, you are given a temporary IRP stamp in your passport at immigration control at the airport. Next, you need to schedule an appointment with the GNIB office to get an official Stamp and IRP card as soon as you can. You can find all the info you need about first-time registration here. Registration will work differently depending if you’re registering in Dublin or outside Dublin.
This is super important and a legal requirement so try to get it done ASAP. Your temporary stamp is valid for 3 months, but it can sometimes take a while to get an available appointment slot. So, I would highly recommend trying to make an appointment as soon as you arrive. Do not put it off!!
Bring the required documents to the appointment. The registration fee is €300 which you’ll have to pay there in person. Once you register for an appointment, you’ll receive an email detailing exactly what documents you need. Upon successful registration you’ll get an IRP card, which looks kind of like a drivers license. That card is valid from the date you arrived into Ireland for a full year.
Using your IRP Card once you get it
Under a Working Holiday Authorisation you are allowed to come and go from Ireland as you please. You can go traveling while living in Ireland on your WHA. You can come and go as your please. However, make sure to always have your IRP card with you when traveling. This is your “proof” that you live in Ireland. You’ll have to present this to the officer at border control at the airport any time you’re coming back into Ireland. As long as you have it, you’ll have no issues getting back in at border control.
Technically, you’re supposed to always have your IRP card on you. But, I never did this because I didn’t want to risk losing it and having to pay another €300 for another one. However, you DEFINITELY need to have it every time you plan to leave Ireland and return. You WILL be asked for it at the airport.
How to get a PPS Number
A PPS Number is like a social security number in the US. It gives you access to certain social welfare benefits and public services as a taxpayer. You don’t need to have a PPS number while looking for a job, but you’ll need one once you get a job for tax purposes.
To apply for a PPS number, first you’re going to need a MyGovID account with your name and email address. You won’t be able to fully verify your MyGovID account yet because you don’t have a PPS number. But that’s fine. Once you have your account, go to mywelfare.ie to request a PPS number.
You’ll need to have proof of identity (passport), proof of address (household bill, lease, or official letter/bank statement), and proof of employment (employment contract or employer letter). You’ll need to upload these while completing the online application.
How to Open an Irish Bank Account
To open an account in an Irish bank account with a traditional bank, you’ll first need to decide what bank you want to get set up with. The main Irish banks are Bank of Ireland, AIB, and Permanent TSB. They all have different account options and benefits, so you’ll need to see which one works best for you. AIB have a Basic Account with no fees for people who have never had any other bank account in Ireland, which is perfect for someone who has just moved to Ireland! However, the problem is that you need a proof of address to open up an account like the AIB Basic Account. If you don’t have a proof of address, that can delay the whole process significantly.
See, this is a perfect example of that “complicated circle” I mentioned earlier.
Alternative Banking Options
A quicker alternative is to set up an account with a NEO Bank. They’re very popular here! They operate exclusively online with no physical branches, which works for me because I can’t remember the last time I visited a bank. Money Jar is great because it’s quick and easy to set up a current account straight from the app. There’s less paperwork involved than traditional banks. Although you have to enter an address during set up, your account is only verified with a photo and proof of identity (passport), so you can use a temporary address.
You’ll still have an Irish IBAN (account number). So you can still get your salary paid into it, set up direct debits, use Apple/Google Pay, transfer money, pay bills, and have a debit card like you would with a normal current account. But it’s great because you’ll get the IBAN immediately which then allows you to set up your bills quicker than if you had to wait for a proof of address or an appointment with a traditional bank. Plus, sending money back to the US is cheaper than doing it through high street banks, which is great if you still have a bank account in the US like I do!
Another useful NEO Bank is Revolut, which is what people use here instead of Venmo. It’s super popular here for transferring money quickly to friends. You can also now get an Irish IBAN with Revolut as well, which makes it another great option.
How do I get an Irish phone number?
The main mobile providers in Ireland are Three, Eir, Vodaphone. Go to any of these providers (that have many locations) and get set up for a phone plan. If you didn’t bring an unlocked phone with you, you can buy one there too. Also, they all offer plans that include international minutes, which is great for talking to family back home. But if you have an iPhone, I would suggest FaceTime!
However, since I’m all about saving a dolla, I want to pass my infinite wisdom onto you so that you too can save money. If you have an unlocked phone, I suggest going with 48 as your carrier. They have no physical stores and are a lesser-known carrier. You sign up online, and then they send you your SIM card in the mail. From that point on, it charges your account every month. I find it to be the most affordable for the basics (minutes, texting, and data for only €12.99) and haven’t had any problems.
Where can I browse jobs and housing?
I’m not going to sugarcoat it…..the Dublin housing/rental market is a fkn shitshow. Finding housing in Dublin is a fight to the death. Like… straight outta The Hunger Games. Don’t be surprised if you email to enquire about like 50 places and only hear back from one. Also, don’t be surprised when you go to a viewing and there’s 30 other people there to view the same place. There seems to be SO many people looking for accommodation in Dublin and shortage of places available.
[2022 Update: Although this was originally written in 2017, unfortunately this is STILL the case. The situation hasn’t gotten better. If anything, it’s gotten even worse? ]
Housing
The best website to search for housing is DAFT.ie. There, you can search for whole places to rent, or single rooms in houses. I find it’s easier to find a place with one room available versus finding a whole house for rent. Be ready to apply for lots of places and get rejected lots of times before eventually finding something! I’m not going to lie, the rental market in Dublin is TOUGH. Expect to pay between a gross amount on rent, and you’ll need to put down a month’s rent as deposit.
There are also several large Facebook groups dedicated to finding roommates or housing in Dublin, like ‘Rent in Dublin’ or ‘Dublin Roommates for Apartments.’
Jobs
With the Working Holiday Authorisation, you don’t have any employment restrictions. You are allowed to work any full- or part-time job you want. When it comes to job hunting, my preference is always LinkedIn, as recruiters seem to head hunt there. Jobs.ie or IrishJobs.ie are pretty popular. There’s also Indeed, Monster, and Recruit Ireland. I would also recommend signing up for various recruitment agencies, because lots of big companies go through those agencies for hiring. I actually got my job through a recruitment agency! And of course, the classic technique of going around and leaving dropping off your resumé is always a good idea. This works more for retail/hospitality/restaurant jobs more than office jobs.
Anything else I should know?
I can’t speak for the rest of Ireland, but I am a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to Dublin life. Here are a few miscellaneous tips and tricks for making your life in Dublin just a little bit easier.
Public Transportation
There are 3 different types of Public Transport in Dublin City and surrounding suburbs – Bus, DART, and Luas.
Dublin Bus
Dublin’s public bus system covers the most area but is also the slowest and least reliable of the three. With unpredictable traffic delays they are often delayed, especially in the city centre. But for a lot of suburban areas, it is the only public transportation option. Every Dubliner should have the TFI App installed on their phone. This shows real-time information for every stop. An essential for anyone using Dublin bus!
DART
The DART, or Dublin Area Rapid Transit, travels north and south from the city centre along Dublin Bay, on the east side of Dublin. It’s not particularly expensive and it’s a crucial public transportation for some commuters. It’s also a great way to see some amazing bay-side villages and suburbs surrounding Dublin. DART trains can be as frequent as every 15 minutes in peak times and they are rarely delayed. Another necessary app to have when living in Dublin is the Irish Rail app. It gives real-time information for the DART and regional trains! 
Luas
The Luas is Dublin’s light rail/tram system. There are now 3 lines, with the “Cross City” line having been completed late last year. Now with the addition of the 3rd line, you can get even more places with the Luas. Just like the bus and DART, the Luas has an app where you can see real-time information.
Dublin Bike
Biking is slowly but surely becoming more popular in Dublin. The Dublin Bikes are a self-service bike rental system. You’ll find stations scattered across the city centre. For €35 a year you get an annual membership, which allows you to use Dublin Bikes. Basically, you can pick up a bike at a station and drop it off at any other station. However, the catch is that only the 1st 30 minutes is free with the annual membership. So you have to drop the bike back off after half an hour or else you get charge. It’s great for short commutes, like getting to and from work.
How to use Public Transport
I would recommend getting a Leap Card once you move to Dublin. The Leap Card is a travel card that works for all methods of public transportation. Just top it up on your phone with this app or at a machine/newsagent and scan it on any bus, train, or Luas. It’s way easier than having to worry about having exact change. Plus, the fares are slightly cheaper when using a Leap Card vs paying with cash! Even if you know you’ll be using it irregularly, it’s your best friend when it starts raining and you need to unexpectedly jump on a bus. (And yes I’m speaking from experience…). If not, you’ll have to pay with cash aboard the bus or buy a ticket with cash or card at a station for the Luas and DART.
Tipping
10% is average. If you pay with credit card, let them know how much to run your card for with tip included.
Where to go for What
Although you’ll learn this after living in Dublin for a bit, I feel like it’s always helpful to know names of stores so that you know where to go for certain things.
First off, I wouldn’t be able to have a whole section on Dublin life without mentioning Penney’s, a Dublin staple. Peneny’s is heaven. You can buy clothes, shoes, accessories, and homeware there and it’s all VERY cheap. Need workout clothes? Penney’s. Need stockings? Penney’s. Need a suitcase? Penney’s. Need nail polish? Penney’s. Need clothes hangers? Penney’s. Just trust me when I say Penney’s will be your best friend when you first get to Dublin and need to buy random and affordable bits and bobs while getting settled in.
Grocery Stores
Aldi and Lidl are the cheapest. Mid-range would be Tesco and Dunnes. High-end would be Marks and Spencer’s (it’s amazing).
Convenience Stores and Newsagents
Spar, Centra, and Londis are where you would go to buy snacks and magazines, get a sandwich, etc.
Mobile Phone companies
Like I mentioned, the phone companies are Three, Eir, and Vodaphone.
Shopping Streets
In the city centre, Grafton Street is the main shopping street on the Southside, and Henry Street on the Northside. They both have clothing stores like H&M, Zara, River Island, Dunnes, and other jewelry and shoe stores. (Fun fact: Henry Street has 2 Penney’s and Grafton Street has ZERO).
Shopping centers/malls
In Dublin’s City Centre: St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Jervis Centre, Ilac Centre. A little bit outside of the city centre (but bigger): Dundrum Town Centre, Blanchardstown Centre, Swords Pavilion Shopping Centre.
Sports Arenas
Sports are huge in Ireland! Go to Croke Park for Gaelic football and Hurling games, and the Aviva Stadium for Rugby and football (soccer) matches. The RDS also has Dublin Rugby matches.
You’ll also find that all 3 of these arenas/stadiums hold music concerts too from time to time!
Irish Pronunciation and Slang
I find Irish-English SO fascinating. When I first moved here, I had a lot of trouble understanding certain accents. Now, I’ve gotten so used to them and hardly notice them! For being such a small country, Ireland has so many accents. Getting used to the many accents is one thing, but getting used to the Irish slang is another! A while back I shared a Guide to Irish Slang for Americans, which should help you out with some basic stuff. But Irish names…..now that’s another story. Names like Aoife, Caoimhe, Oisin, Aoibhinn, Eoin, Blathnaid, Fionnuala, Tadhg, and Padraig to name a few. Ridiculous names, right? I still don’t know how to pronounce half of the names I see written down. But that’s been one of the fun learning experiences I’ve had since I’ve been here.
Any random but important #adult things I should keep in mind?
You’re going to have an amazing time in Ireland!! While planning your WHA you’ll most likely just be trying to organize things for once you arrive. However, there are a few random but important things you should plan before you leave. This probably mostly applies to US Citizens looking to do the WHA.
Health Insurance
As I mentioned earlier, proof of health insurance is a requirement when applying for the WHA. But it’s always good to have health insurance just in case something happens of course! There are plenty of companies that offer short-term plans for travellers, but it can be overwhelming to figure out which plan to choose. This is not my area of expertise, but I can say that I had a pleasant experience with the company that I used, which was HCC. I used their Travel Health Insurance plan and it came in handy. I did end up needing to file a few claims, and it was a painless process.
However, based on my Googling, it seems like HCC is now called WorldTrips. They offer a few different options for travel insurances with different names now. Again, I had a great experience with it when it was HCC, but I’m not sure how it is now!
Other providers I’ve heard of others using are World Nomads and SafetyWing. Different providers cover different things, so you may have to do a little research to see which provider/plan is best for you!
Voting from Abroad
Voting is the right of every American citizen and is so, so important! And you can still vote while living abroad so please make sure to continue to exercise your right to vote! If you want to register as an Absentee voter, you must first be registered to vote. I would recommend doing this before you move because it’s quicker and easier! I was already registered to vote before I moved here. Then, registered for absentee voting while in Ireland ahead of the 2016 Presidential election. Now, for every federal election and my state elections, I receive a printed ballot to my address. For major elections I can drop it off at the US Embassy in Dublin. For local election, I have to mail it back myself.
Find out more about registering for absentee voting here so you can continue to have your voice be heard!
Taxes
Just thought I’d point this out for anyone who, like me, literally has no idea about taxes or any general adult things like taxes. If you’re a US citizen, you must file a tax return. If you’re a US citizen you still have to file your taxes every year and report your worldwide income, no matter where you’re living or what in what country you’re employed. Yep, what a pain.
But, the good news is that most expats don’t end up paying any taxes to the IRS. There are lots of tax deductions available which allow you to deduct more than $100,000 from your taxable income. But regardless of what you’re making you have to file your taxes to avail of deductions for expats. If not, you could get in trouble.
Filing your Taxes Abroad
I personally never try to do my own taxes because again, I have no clue what I’m doing. So I used Taxes for Expats to do my taxes for me while I’ve been living in Ireland. They’re dedicated to doing taxes specifically for US expats living abroad (hence the name…). So they REALLY know what they’re doing and I was confident they’d do it correctly. And it was a quick turnaround.
The world of taxes is scary and the world of expat taxes can be kind of confusing. There are some services and handy guides out there to help expats figure out how to file. Just do some research or get some assistance if you need and like the Irish say, “sure it’ll be grand!”
I hope this has been helpful to anyone who is thinking about moving to Ireland with the Working Holiday Authorisation! I’ve absolutely loved living in Dublin and I encourage anyone who can to TAKE THE LEAP and move abroad! I can guarantee that you will not regret it!
