Ireland’s education minister invites Indian students for study and research opportunities

Ireland's Education Minister James Lawless, said on March 17 that his nation is "very welcoming" to students and offers a helpful post-study employment visa program.

"Ireland is a very welcoming country. We have a cosmopolitan culture with many nationalities now in Ireland, and many people have made their home here, including a significant number of Indians," the Irish minister said.

"We have 100,000 Indian nationals living in Ireland. And with a population of around 5-6 million, that's quite a significant group," he added.

According to the minister, Indians have performed well in Ireland and had positive experiences with the educational system.

"In the employment system, we have a visa arrangement where if an Indian student comes to Ireland to study, their visa continues for 2 years after completing a postgraduate course. So, if they do a postgraduate course, they have a 2-year window to seek employment. If they get a job during that time, they'll receive an employment visa," said Lawless.

"So, it's quite rare for Indian students or workers to face any visa issues because, if they come for a job, they get a visa, and if they come to study, they get a visa with a window to find a job after their studies. This system has worked very well to date, and we're happy with the program," the Irish minister added.

"I think it's a positive program because we want Indian workers and students to come to Ireland, be part of our success story, and strengthen the collaboration between the two countries."

The purpose of Lawless' visit to India is to strengthen ties and promote collaboration between Irish and Indian universities.

He also highlighted the various scholarships available to Indian students in Ireland, noting that Indian students make up the largest group of international students in Ireland, followed by those from the US and China.

"We're very happy to welcome international students. I'm very happy to see so many Indian students taking part in the Irish college experience, and many of them go on to work in Ireland. We have a very high level of STEM industries, including technology, data centers, and engineering campuses," he explained. "Indian nationals have been very much a part of Ireland's success story."

Lawless is visiting India to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and education. Leading a high-level delegation to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, coinciding with St Patrick's Day 2025, he emphasized growing collaboration in higher education, technology, and business partnerships during a media roundtable in New Delhi.

Enterprise Ireland (EI), IDA Ireland, and the Irish Embassy in India are facilitating the visit, reflecting Ireland's ongoing emphasis on deepening its ties with India.

"I am delighted to visit India as part of the Irish Government's St Patrick's Day program. Ireland continues to offer real opportunities for Indian companies seeking a stable, secure, pro-business environment with a talented workforce and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Lawless.

"As a committed member of the EU, Ireland is also a proven base from which to grow an operational presence in European markets. During my visit, I look forward to meeting with IDA Ireland client companies that already have a presence in Ireland to strengthen our relationship and assure them of the Irish Government's ongoing support as they expand and further embed themselves in Ireland," he added.

With yearly bilateral commerce of around EUR 16 billion, Ireland and India share a vibrant business partnership.

Ireland continues to be a major European hub for Indian companies, particularly in advanced manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.

Ireland also serves as a gateway for Indian companies looking to enter the European market, as evidenced by the presence of prominent Indian corporations such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra.

Furthermore, Ireland is experiencing a surge in R&D, innovation, and new technology engagement with Indian companies, especially in MedTech, fintech, AI, and life sciences.

Ireland continues to provide Indian firms with state-of-the-art opportunities for growth and innovation, as multinational corporations seek highly qualified talent and research-driven ecosystems.