Irish work and holiday visa for Argentinians: Complete guide

The Irish work and holiday visa for Argentinian citizens is one of the most coveted by young Argentinians dreaming of a work and cultural experience in Europe. Through this program, you can spend up to 12 months in Ireland, with the possibility of working and studying during your stay (as long as you meet a few requirements, of course).

However, it’s important to note that the 200 spots available for 2025 were filled in just a few minutes during the opening on June 3, 2025. Therefore, if you’re interested in this visa, you’ll have to wait until the next opening in 2026. Yes, it can be a bit frustrating, but that gives you time to gather your documentation and save money, as this type of experience can be costly for Argentinians. A good first step is to read this complete guide to the Ireland Working Holiday Visa for Argentinians. Here’s what follows, we’ll tell you all about it.

What Work and Holiday visas does Ireland offer for Argentinians?

Ireland offers Argentinian citizens a single work and holiday visa: The Ireland Working Holiday Visa. This bilateral program allows young Argentinians between 18 and 35 years old to live, work, and study in Ireland for up to 12 months. Unlike other countries that offer multiple types of similar visas, Ireland maintains this unique agreement with Argentina, with an annual quota of 200 spots.

As we mentioned earlier, the 200 spots available for 2025 were filled quickly after the official program opening on June 3, 2025. Therefore, you’ll have to wait for next year to experience this work and holiday adventure in Ireland. Don’t get discouraged, though, because time flies, and you’ll have time to prepare.

What are the benefits and features of the Ireland Working Holiday Visa for Argentinians?

The Ireland Working Holiday Visa is much more than a migration permit. It’s an open door to live an experience that combines work, study, and tourism in one of the greenest and most welcoming countries in Europe.

On one hand, this visa allows you to live legally in Ireland for 12 months, with total freedom to explore the country from top to bottom. From Dublin’s music-filled streets to Galway’s wild landscapes or Cork’s warmth, you’ll have plenty of time to discover all its corners.

Unlike the Spain Working Holiday Visa for Argentinians, this visa lets you work throughout your stay, with no limits on hours or type of employment. This means you can find jobs in hospitality, tourism, or retail, or even more specific opportunities depending on your profile, thus financing your trip and covering accommodation, transport, and leisure expenses.

Another great benefit is that you’re not limited to one city or one employer. You can move around, switch jobs, or even take a few months off just to travel around Ireland or other European countries, as the visa allows multiple entries and exits during its validity.

If you also want to use the trip to upskill, the visa allows you to take short courses or studies, such as English classes, cooking workshops, or technical training.

In short, the Ireland Working Holiday Visa offers flexibility, freedom, and the chance to experience work and culture in one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations for young travellers.

Who is this visa for?

The Ireland Working Holiday Visa is not for everyone. It’s aimed at those young people who have more adventure in them than a desire to stay still. If you’ve ever imagined yourself serving pints at a pub in Dublin, walking along the Cliffs of Moher after work, or sharing a house with travellers from all over the world, then this program is probably for you.

Do you identify with any of these profiles? If so, a Working Holiday in Ireland could be the adventure of your life:

• Young people who want to break the routine and live something different: If you feel like you need a change of pace, want to step out of your comfort zone, and are tempted by the idea of living abroad for a year, this visa is the perfect excuse.
• People who want to travel but also earn money along the way: Not everyone can go to Europe with a full bank account. A Working Holiday lets you legally work during your stay, so you can find temporary jobs to cover expenses and, with good planning, even save a bit.
• People passionate about learning languages or improving their English: Ireland will challenge you with its accent but will also offer an unparalleled linguistic immersion. If your goal is to improve your English in a real, everyday environment, this experience will help immensely.
• Lovers of slow travel and a life without strict plans: If you’re someone who prefers to decide on the fly, without a fixed itinerary, this visa is ideal. You have a whole year to choose where to live, when to change cities, or whether to spend the summer on the coast or the winter in Dublin.
• People who want to gain international work experience: Even if it’s temporary or part-time work, working abroad always boosts your CV. Adapting to new work cultures, improving your English, and gaining independence are highly valued skills.

In short: If you’re eager to explore, learn, work, and live an experience that you’ll likely remember for a lifetime, the Ireland Working Holiday visa is waiting for you… even if you have to wait for the next quota.

What are the requirements and documentation for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa?

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably already imagining your life in Ireland. But before you start looking for flights or dreaming about pints of Guinness, there’s one key thing: Making sure you meet all the visa requirements and gather impeccable documentation. 

Luckily, you have time to do this, but get started early because there are several points to consider. The Embassy of Ireland in Argentina is quite strict about this, so here’s the complete and explained checklist to make sure nothing is missed.

1. Age and nationality

First, the obvious but essential. To apply for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa, you must meet these two requirements:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of applying.
• Be an Argentine citizen with a valid passport.

It’s not enough to have residency or dual citizenship: Your passport must be Argentine and valid for at least as long as you plan to stay in Ireland.

2. Valid passport

Your passport is your best ally in this process. The first thing you need to check is its expiration date, as it’s important that it has at least one year of validity from the estimated travel date. If you’re going to spend 12 months in Ireland, it should be valid for over a year, so you can travel knowing that, in case of any setbacks, you won’t be constrained by the expiration date of your passport.

In addition to the original document, you’ll need to provide a photocopy of all the pages of the passport, even the blank ones.

3. Sufficient financial funds

Ireland wants to ensure you don’t arrive empty-handed (or rather, without euros). To do this, you need to prove that you have:

• At least €1,500 ($1,630 US) if you already have a return ticket.
• At least €3,000 ($3,260 US) if you don’t have a return ticket yet.

This amount is to ensure you can support yourself during the first few months of your stay, covering accommodation, food, and other basic expenses until you find a job. It’s not a monthly requirement, and you won’t need to show recurring income. You only need to present proof of these funds once, at the time of the application.

How to prove it? With bank statements, bank certifications, or account summaries. Everything must be in your name, with a recent date, and clearly legible.

4. Medical and travel insurance

This requirement is non-negotiable. To apply for the Ireland Working Holiday, you must have a medical insurance that covers your entire stay (12 months) and includes medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation costs.

The insurance must be valid from the day you land until the last day of your visa. In other words, they won’t accept a policy for shorter periods. And beyond that, medical care abroad can be very expensive for Argentinians, so it’s better to be insured.

5. Criminal record certificate

This requirement is needed to apply for a Working Holiday in any country. The Embassy of Ireland wants to ensure you have no pending issues with the law. For this reason, you’ll need to present a criminal record certificate issued by the Argentine National Registry of Convictions, no older than three months.

And don’t forget: The certificate must be apostilled. Without the Hague Apostille, it won’t be accepted.

6. Completed application form

The Embassy of Ireland publishes a specific official application form for the Working Holiday each year. This form is usually available a few days before the opening of the spots. You need to download it, complete it clearly (preferably on a computer), and sign it. It includes personal details, your travel motivation, and a summary of your stay plan.

7. Two passport-sized photos

In your documentation folder, you’ll need to add two passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm), taken recently with a white background. Don’t use cropped photos from larger ones or selfies. The format must be professional.

8. Motivation letter (sometimes required)

It’s not always a requirement, but some editions of the program have asked applicants to include a brief motivation letter. In it, you should explain why you want to join the program, your expectations, and what you plan to do during your stay. Try to be original, avoid clichés, and convince the authorities that you truly deserve this visa.

9. Payment of fees

As mentioned earlier, the fact that the next opportunity to get an Ireland Working Holiday Visa will be in 2026 gives you time to save. Because, in addition to proving sufficient funds, you’ll need to cover other expenses, such as visa fees:

• Visa fee: €60 ($65 US) — approximately $86,100 AR.
• VFS Global management fee: €95 ($103 US) — approximately $136,000 AR.

Both fees are paid when submitting the documentation at the authorized centre.

Preparing this folder may seem like a hassle, but the key is to start early and have everything ready before the spots open. Because once they do… they’re gone in minutes.

How to get internet in Ireland?

One of the first things you’ll need when you land in Ireland is a good internet connection. Whether it’s to find accommodation, start sending CVs, or simply tell your family you’ve arrived safely, staying connected from the first minute is key.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

What are the steps to get the Ireland Working Holiday Visa for Argentinians?

Although the 200 spots for 2025 have already been filled, knowing the full application process is key to preparing in time and increasing your chances in the next opening. The Ireland Working Holiday Visa is processed in two stages: First, an email pre-selection; then, the submission of documentation at VFS Global. 

Here are the steps in detail so nothing gets left out. 

1- Apply for an appointment via email

The application starts by sending an email to irishwhargentina@vfshelpline.com on the exact day and time the Embassy of Ireland in Argentina announces for the opening of spots. 

The subject of the email should be “WHA 2026 program” and the body should include your full name, phone number, and express your interest in applying for the program. Appointments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s crucial to send it as soon as the application opens. 

Step 2: Wait for pre-selection confirmation

Once you send the email, the next step is to be patient. Approximately 15 days after the opening, you’ll receive an email if you’ve been pre-selected. You’ll be asked to provide more information and given a deadline to do so. If you don’t, your spot will be reassigned to someone else. 

If everything is fine, you’ll receive another email with the date and time of your appointment at VFS Global offices in Buenos Aires. Keep in mind that you’ll need to go in person or send an authorised person if you can’t travel. You’ll need to confirm your attendance by replying to this email. If someone else is going in your place, they must provide a simple authorisation letter, signed and accompanied by copies of both IDs. The same applies if you’re applying from abroad—you can authorise someone to submit your documents at VFS Global.

What if I don’t receive a response? If you don’t get a response, it’s likely you haven’t secured a spot. Be sure to check your spam and promotions folders as well. 

Step 3: Prepare and submit the documentation

On the assigned date, you’ll need to submit the following documentation in person at VFS Global (Avenida Córdoba 1131, 3rd floor (1055), CABA, Argentina):

• Completed and signed application form
• Valid Argentine passport and photocopies of all its pages.
• Two recent passport-sized photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
• Criminal record certificate issued by the National Registry of Convictions, not older than three months and apostilled.
• You must present proof of sufficient funds, such as recent bank statements or official certifications, showing at least: €1,500 ($1,630 US) with a return ticket, or €3,000 ($3,260 US) without a return ticket. Keep in mind that this document may not be required that day, but immigration authorities will ask for it when you enter Ireland, so you must have it.
• International medical insurance covering the entire stay, including hospitalization and repatriation.

We recommend bringing additional copies of all documents and organising everything in a folder for easy review.

Step 4: Pay the fees

The total cost of the Irish Working Holiday Visa is €155 ($168 US), broken down as follows: 

• €60 ($65 US) consular fee, payable in Argentine pesos at the official exchange rate on the day of your appointment.
• €95 ($103 US) VFS Global service fee, payable in advance or on the day of your appointment by debit/credit card or bank deposit.

It’s important to keep the payment receipts and present them with the documentation.

Step 5: Wait for the visa decision

Once you’ve submitted your documents, the Embassy of Ireland will evaluate your application. The estimated response time is one to two months. After that period, you’ll receive an email notifying you whether your visa was approved and the next steps for collecting it or receiving it by mail. Your adventure in Ireland is getting closer!

Step 6: Enter Ireland

Once your visa is approved, you’ll have up to 12 months to enter Ireland. Remember, you can leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want during your Working Holiday’s validity, giving you great flexibility to travel around Europe.

Getting ready in advance and following each step carefully will increase your chances of getting the visa in the next opening.

What is the total cost of the Ireland Working Holiday Visa?

If you’re planning your trip to Ireland with the Working Holiday visa, it’s essential to know the costs associated with the process and the first steps once you’re on your destination. Below is a detailed table showing the estimated expenses for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa, expressed in euros (€) and their equivalent in Argentine pesos ($ AR) according to the current exchange rate (1 EUR = $1,449 AR). Remember, this value can change, but it will give you a rough idea of how much money you may need.

Costs associated with the Ireland Working Holiday Visa

In total, you will need between $1,200,000 AR (€828, $900 US) and $1,500,000 AR (€1,034, $1,125 US). This can vary depending on the service provider, exchange rate, and other factors, so we recommend having an additional margin for unforeseen expenses and personal costs. And in addition to these costs, you should consider travel, accommodation, and living expenses during your stay in Ireland. Ultimately, planning ahead will allow you to enjoy your Working Holiday experience without financial surprises.

Ireland Working Holiday Visa for Argentinians: Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t get an appointment in the online pre-selection?

If you’re not selected in the first round of spots, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until the next opening of the program, scheduled for the following year. There’s no waiting list or possibility to apply outside the designated period.

Is it mandatory to register my residence upon arrival in Ireland?

Yes. Within the first 90 days of your arrival, you must register with the local immigration authorities and apply for your IRP (Irish Residence Permit). Note: The €300 ($326 US) registration fee must be paid once you are in Ireland.

Can I leave and re-enter Ireland during the validity of my visa?

Yes. The Ireland Working Holiday Visa allows multiple entries and exits. This means that during the 12 months of validity, you can travel to other countries (like Spain, France, or the UK) and then return to Ireland without any issues.

Do I need to have a job offer in Ireland to apply?

No. It’s not necessary to have a job offer in advance. The idea of the program is for you to look for work once you arrive in Ireland, based on your interests and needs.

How many spots are available each year for the Ireland Working Holiday Visa?

The agreement between Ireland and Argentina sets a limit of 200 visas per calendar year. The spots are usually filled within minutes of the application period opening, so it’s crucial to stay alert to the dates.

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