Families living in the Republic of Ireland can only welcome Au Pairs from EEC countries or from Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.

Au Pairs from these countries only have to register with the Irish police when they arrive but do not need any work permit.

For Au Pairs coming from other countries it is possible to obtain a student visa if the prospective applicant is registered to study English at an approved language school. A student may hold down a part-time job to support themselves whilst studying. Part-time cannot be more than 25 hours per week. The immigration officials at the entry point however will always have the right to refuse entry should they believe the student is actually intending to work full-time.

Further information can be obtained from the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 353 1 631 2121 Fax: 353 1 631 2827. For Work Permits queries telephone (+353 1)631 3333/3308 or email workpermits@entemp.ie.