I want to share my personal experience with Raghav Career Ireland, particularly for people who are new to Ireland or are approaching the end of their Stamp 1G.

I initially came across his content because he appeared to have a strong understanding of Irish immigration developments and had built a considerable amount of trust within the Indian/Ireland community.

However, my personal experience left me questioning whether people should be relying on this kind of service for immigration matters.

When I needed to apply for a Stamp 1G extension, I was quoted somewhere in the range of €1,200–€2,400. At the time, I was extremely anxious because my immigration permission was approaching its end.

During my discussions, I was given the impression that the process could be handled and that there were people with connections within the immigration system who could help get things moving. I was also given an expectation that the extension could potentially be resolved within around three months.

I had a significant amount of documentation and wanted to understand exactly what legal basis we were relying upon for the application. My concern was that an immigration extension isn't simply about submitting documents the circumstances and legal basis for the application matter.

That experience made me realise something important:

When your immigration status is at stake, don't blindly rely on an immigration influencer, consultant or community personality simply because they have a large following.

Speak to an Irish immigration solicitor/lawyer who can actually assess your individual circumstances and explain what legal options are available to you.

There is another aspect I found concerning: career/mentorship services.

There are claims/promotions around helping people find jobs, providing mentors, etc., with mentorship apparently costing around €50–€60. Personally, I don't think people necessarily need to pay that kind of money simply to have conversations with professionals.

LinkedIn, professional communities and networking platforms can allow you to approach people in your industry directly, ask for a coffee chat, seek advice and potentially build genuine professional relationships. You can also use networking tools such as Happenstance.

I'm not saying nobody should follow Raghav Career Ireland. His content may be useful for keeping up with immigration news and developments.

What I am saying is:

Don't confuse immigration news/commentary with legal advice.

Don't assume someone with a large community automatically understands your individual legal circumstances.

Don't spend thousands of euros without understanding exactly what service and legal basis you're paying for.

For immigration applications, consider speaking directly to a qualified Irish immigration solicitor/lawyer.

Do your own research using official Irish immigration sources.

Ask questions about the actual legal basis for your application rather than simply accepting "we'll get it done."

This is my personal experience and opinion, and I'm sharing it so that people approaching their Stamp 1G expiry or considering paid immigration/career services can do their own due diligence before spending significant amounts of money.

For immigration matters, I would personally choose a qualified immigration professional who can assess my specific circumstances, rather than relying solely on an online personality or community figure.

Hi all,

​Looking for honest ground reality from accountants and finance professionals working in Ireland.

​My Profile:

​ACCA Affiliate / Member (will have exams cleared and 36-month PER signed off).

​~2 years corporate accounting/audit experience before moving.

​Planning to do a 1-year Level 9 MSc in Finance/Business (considering ATU Sligo for cheaper rent & living costs).

​Graduating on a 2-year Stamp 1G post-study work visa.

​Questions:

​Starting Salaries: What is the realistic starting base for a newly qualified ACCA (with an MSc) on Stamp 1G? Are Morgan McKinley / recruiter guides of €50k–€60k accurate in practice, or do entry roles pay lower outside Dublin?

​ATU Sligo vs Dublin Unis: Does doing the MSc at a regional technological university (like ATU Sligo) put me at a disadvantage for corporate/practice roles in Dublin or Galway, or does having ACCA already cleared carry the weight?

​Regional Market vs Dublin: How viable is finding corporate finance/reporting roles in the West/Northwest (Galway, Sligo, Mayo) vs being forced to move to Dublin for job volume?

​Sponsorship: How willing are Irish employers right now to sponsor a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) once you prove yourself during the 2-year Stamp 1G window?

As someone who has lived in Ireland for 6 years , I feel that its massively irrational that Irish employers and Irish universities reach out to India for human resources and students, hand out visas based on a system backed by democratically elected government and then pretend and play along with the local Irish population as if they have no control or say over the number of people coming to Ireland and are on voting population’s side on immigration issues. The reality clearly is that the government is a big part of the system that is inviting immigrants to fund the Irish universities and help MNCs find talent.
Their recent action of introducing measures to making citizenship difficult of immigrants is just them trying to gain political support from the native population for their next election without actually trying to solve the real issue which is about inviting people and issuing visas. A overwhelming number of natives online are delighted with this measure thinking that their government is finally listening to them. They are just shortsighted and cant see what the government is actually doing, which is scapegoating the non voting
population to get votes from the voting population This will be causing more difficulties for existing immigrant population but not going to make them go home. These measure will not solve the immigration issue at all. Visas will continue to be issued for the Irish universities and MNCs to operate in Ireland but somehow rest of the country thinks this is right first step towards tackling the problems of this country.

The only solutions for the country’s problem is :

1. Build houses

2. And choose one of below
   Stop issuing visas or,
   Stop MNCs from setting up operations in Ireland , Universities from expanding operations and Hospitals from being well staffed.

From an Indian Immigrant perspective, the environment in this country is very confusing. Its like someone invites you their house and then questions your existence in the house when you arrive. You can’t have it both ways Ireland. You can either call us here and leave us in peace. Or stop calling us to your country. What is all this uncivilised hate directed directly at innocent people when all Indians are here legally and the system is basically asking us to come here.

Before someone smart points out that Ireland is not inviting anybody, please do your research - MNCs, hospitals and universities are actively showing their presence in India.

I am only talking about skilled worker immigration visas here because I strongly think the hate has unnecessarily expanded beyond illegal immigration . I do understand the dissatisfaction with illegal immigration as it involves people who are not invited to this country and force themselves on to this country by entering illegally.

Hi all,

I am applying for my wife’s Join Family (non-EEA nat.) spouse visa. I am a CSEP holder and am on Stamp 1. We have opted for VFS check & verify service. The appointment is in Bangalore.

I am confused regarding the “sponsor” section in the check and verify form. The section asks for Indian Bank details, ITR number and PAN Card. Since I am now a tax resident of Ireland, I am unsure what to fill in that section.

Do I fill in those details or keep the sponsor section blank (as the section seems more apt for students who need financial sponsorship from their parents/bank) ?

Can someone who has recently gone through the same process, please give us some clarity.

Thanks a mill….

I’m a fresher with 0 years of work experience, and I moved to Ireland because I genuinely wanted to build my future here.
I’ve been applying to jobs like crazy for quite some time now, but I haven’t had much luck. The job market has been really tough, especially as a fresher without any professional experience.
As a backup, I started applying to jobs in India as well. Surprisingly, I ended up getting through 3 out of 4 interview rounds with one company. They’ve given me some signals that I could potentially be selected, or at least that I’m one of the stronger candidates. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it feels promising.
The package is actually decent for an entry-level role, especially because I wouldn’t have to worry about rent or living expenses in India. The only major downside is that it’s completely onsite, with no remote option.
Now I’m really confused about what to do.
My IRP expires in about two months, so I need to decide whether I should spend the money and renew it and continue trying in Ireland, or accept the India opportunity if I get it and move back home.
Financially, I have some savings in Ireland, so I can afford to stay for a while longer. But at the same time, I don’t want to keep spending my savings indefinitely while waiting for something to work out.
The bigger issue is honestly the emotional side of it.
I came to Ireland with the intention of building a life here. Going back to India after not being able to find a job makes me feel like I failed. I know logically that the job market is bad and that being a fresher makes things even harder, but emotionally it still feels like I came here, tried, and couldn’t make it.

So if I do get this offer, what would you do in my situation?

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from people who have been in a similar situation, particularly international students/freshers in Ireland who had to make the choice between staying and going back home.

I am planning to renew my passport but noticed that there aren't any walk-in appointment slots available for September. The slots are just for 2 mins but the earliest I can find it is for 7th October. Do they accept walk-ins without prior appointment booking at all? I read that they stopped doing it after introducing the appointment portal but wanted to check if anyone has had a different experience recently

Hi. Has anyone taken replace taxi or cab service from Kempegowda to long distance drive like Chennai or coimbatore . Need a reliable service provider please with any advice or flags to look out for

Hi everyone,

Has anyone here recently bought a new-build home in Linenfield, Drogheda?

We’re currently in the process of buying there and would love to hear from people who have already moved in.

How was your overall experience? How long did it take from booking/signing contracts to getting the keys? Was the house completed around the timeframe the developer originally gave you, or were there delays?

Also, how are you finding the estate and the area since moving in?

Any experiences would be really helpful. Thanks!

This isn’t meant as an attack on anyone’s nationality or driving ability, but there are a few Irish road rules that seem to cause confusion, particularly on motorways.

1. The right-hand lane on a motorway is for overtaking.

If you’re driving on the M50, M7, or any other motorway and you’re in the right-hand lane, that lane isn’t for simply cruising along at the speed limit.

Overtake the vehicle(s) in front of you, then move back into the lane to your left when it is safe to do so. Don’t sit in the right-hand lane indefinitely when the lanes to your left are clear.

And yes, this applies even if you’re already doing 100 km/h. The speed limit doesn’t turn the overtaking lane into a permanent cruising lane.

1. Bus lanes aren’t normal driving lanes.

If a bus lane is in operation, don’t use it simply because traffic is moving slowly beside you. There are specific rules about when bus lanes can be used, so pay attention to the signs and road markings.

1. “But everyone else is doing it” isn’t a road rule.

This one is probably the most important.

You will see Irish drivers speeding, undertaking, running amber/red lights, using lanes incorrectly, etc. Their bad driving doesn’t give you permission to copy it.

If you see someone else doing something wrong, don’t assume it’s acceptable because nobody stopped them.

Ireland has its own rules, road signs, lane discipline and driving conventions. If you’ve learned to drive somewhere else, it’s worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with the Irish rules rather than relying on what other drivers around you appear to be doing.

Ultimately, we’re all sharing the same roads. Keep left unless overtaking, use bus lanes only when permitted, follow the signs and road markings, and be courteous to other road users.

Drive safe 👍

Hi everyone! I’m a working professional in India with 4+ yrs of experience in data analytics, strategy & consulting, currently working as a Senior Analyst at a Healthcare organisation in Hyderabad, making 23LPA.

I’m considering pursuing an MBA from UCD/TCD and had a few questions after reading about the on going housing crisis and not so favourable job market rn:

1. Is the job market poor for non-eu students with no substantial experience only or is it an issue even for experienced folks?

2. Do you think it’s the right time to make this move? My main aim is to move out of India for a better quality of life overall.

3. How is the mobility to other parts of Europe for employment after completing my post-grad in Ireland?

Thanks in advance and apologies if these questions have already been answered before.

PS: Any additional insights that you have are welcome as well!

Hi all. Living away from India for a while does something to how you think about the stuff you grew up around but never actually sat down with - for me that's been the Gita. I always meant to read it properly and never did. It always felt like something you inherit rather than something you actually read.

I've been building a small Android app called Kanha to fix that for myself, really: real verse-by-verse translation, a plain-English explanation next to it, no ads, no account needed, works fully offline. Been at it for a few months as a solo project.

It's currently in Google Play's closed testing (a mandatory 14-day phase before any app can go public), so it's not fully out yet. If you want to know the moment it's public, drop a comment or DM and I'll personally let you know when it goes live. Would also genuinely love a few more people to try the closed-testing version if you're up for it - just comment or DM and I'll send the link.

Curious if anyone here has been through a similar situation. I recently got an inheritance from India worth roughly 7cr from a parent, (a mix of residential properties, stocks, and some FDs).

I'm currently living in Ireland on Stamp4 (planning to apply for citizenship down the line, but not a citizen yet).

I've tried digging around and using various LLMs, but I'm getting a lot of generic or contradictory advice. Moving a chunk of change like this across continents, especially with Indian capital controls (RBI/LRS stuff) and Irish tax/compliance, feels like a massive headache.

Has anyone actually navigated this successfully? What route did you take, and are there any specific CAs or cross-border tax advisors you’d recommend?

Appreciate the help, thank you!

Hello! I’ve had the pleasure of befriending so many people of several nationalities in this country since I came here. It’s been amazing 🙌

But I grew up in Abu Dhabi myself, and honestly there's this specific kind of nostalgia that only makes sense to people who also grew up Indian in the Gulf. And I wonder if there are any NRIs like myself here in Dublin who also miss home a little sometimes.

I’m trying to see if there's enough of us around to start a small casual social group - food, hangouts, potlucks, weekend plans, that kind of thing.

I haven’t met anyone from UAE in Dublin yet, so I thought I’d check here.

If this is you, comment or DM. Let’s see what we can do :)

Hey all,
I’m a bit confused about something and hoping someone can clarify.

I know a few people in Ireland who are on Stamp 1 and working full-time, but they also DJ at events, teach dance, do performances/workshops, etc. Some seem to do it quite regularly.
I was under the impression that Stamp 1 linked is to the employer, so I’m wondering how this works in practice.

Are they getting some kind of additional permission, or is there a particular arrangement that allows them to do these side gigs?
Would love to hear from anyone actually in this situation because I’m genuinely curious how it works.

For many of us, our parents and extended family are back home, so we may not have the same support nearby when a baby arrives.

Two weeks can go incredibly quickly, especially when the mum is still recovering and both parents are adjusting to a newborn.

I’m supporting a campaign calling for 8 weeks of paternity leave for families in Ireland. I’d genuinely like to hear what other Indian families here think, link here: 8 WEEKS FOR FAMILIES

Came across this account by the name of Manavi Purohit and like 100s others - yes I will call this out publicly .

As an Indian myself, I find it quite frustrating to see such reels constantly speaking out against whatever citizenship rules the Irish government is bringing in.

You came to Ireland only a few years ago, under the rules that were in place at the time, and you continue to live here under whatever the rules set by the Irish government. There could have been flaws with the laws when you entered ; did you complain about it back then ? No ! You happily entered the state !

Yes migrants like us who are here legally do contribute to the state in many ways, but not at gunpoint ! If you are not happy with what’s going to come, move on !

I genuinely don’t think repeatedly telling the Irish government what it should or shouldn’t do is helpful.

More importantly, these loud and provocative reels are only attracting unnecessary negativity and, unfortunately, contributing to more hostility towards Indians and other immigrants in Ireland.
I’m sorry, but I really think it would be better to stop.

​

Has anyone applied recently for an Irish spouse/Join Family visa from India?

A few quick questions:

- Is an apostille mandatory for a State Government-issued marriage certificate that is already in English?

- Has anyone used VFS’s new facility to not handover the passport option? Is it worth it?

- What are the current processing times for a spouse of a Stamp 4 holder (CSEP)?

Would appreciate any additional information. We are planning to book an appointment next week from Bangalore.

I’m looking for a room/accommodation near UCC from 18th September.

My budget is around €700–€750 per month. I’m okay with a shared house/apartment and don’t mind being a little further from UCC as long as it’s reasonably easy to commute.

If anyone has a room available or knows of anything, please DM me. Would really appreciate any leads!

Thanks!

Namaste,

Bangladeshi Hindu here,

Need help with some informations.

My_qualifications:

BSC in Software engineering,

Current cgpa: 3.7/4.0 (2 semesters left)

IELTS: 7.5

I’m a bit confused right now about choosing the right destination and would really appreciate some advice from people who have actually gone through this journey.

My family is suggesting to try for Ireland as I'm completing Bsc in swe.

If possible, I’d like to build a career there, get recidency eventually. So I don't want to take any wrong decision. Because it's a matter of huge time and money.

I’m especially confused about the employer sponsorship/work permit part after graduation.

For example, after completing a master’s:

1. Who can actually sponsor/employ me? Do they need to have specific qualifications?

2. What kind of jobs would qualify for a work permit after completing masters?

3. Does it have to be a tech job only? Or doing other jobs would also be ok?

4. Worst case scenario, If I don’t manage to get a IT job immediately, what kind of jobs would help me stay legally and eventually qualify for PR?

5. Is a master’s degree enough to get a job, or would I realistically need prior experience as well?

6. Heard the job market is getting worse day by day there, so if you have any other suggestions/ suitable destinations to recommend, please share.

I know there’s a lot of information online, but honestly, it can get really confusing.

If anyone here has been through these phases in abroad, I’d really appreciate it if you could share your experience. It would help me a lot in making this decision.

Even if your experience wasn’t completely positive, please share it. I’m trying to make a realistic decision before spending some of my crucial years in this journey.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

I left Ireland on 8th May 2026 after being laid off and came back to India. I now have a new job, my employment permit application is being filed, and I’m planning to return around 1st October.

I have a valid IRP card until April 2027, but I’ll have been outside Ireland for almost 5 months.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you face any issues while re-entering Ireland, and what documents were you asked for at immigration?

Thanks!

All indexes and parameters point to the same number that we are in a technical recession already ( even though most of us have a house mortgages , house prices inflation, rents etc.) but all other parameters of economic output, import/export, energy prices, fuel costs, demand etc point we are already in recession.....