Efforts to add Ireland to the E-3 visa program have been revived once again, bringing fresh hope for those eager to work in the U.S. under this category. On February 13, 2025, a new bill was introduced in Congress, marking the latest step in a years-long push to make the Irish E-3 visa a reality.
You can read out previous post about the Irish E-3 here.
What Is the E-3 Visa?
The E-3 visa is currently available only to Australian citizens and allows them to live and work in the U.S. in a specialty occupation. For years, there has been bipartisan support to extend this opportunity to Irish nationals. The Irish government and advocates, including our Law Partners Fiona and Ray McEntee, have been heavily involved in pushing this initiative forward. Fiona has advised members of the Irish government on this issue and frequently speaks in the media about the E-3 visa.
The proposed bills would allow Irish citizens to use the surplus E-3 visas from the prior year. This is important because it means that Ireland would never take any E-3 visas from Australians, only the unused E-3 visas from the prior year.
There would potentially be 5,000 E-3 visas available for Irish citizens per year. If successful, the Irish E-3 visa would provide Irish citizens with a new pathway to work in the U.S., further strengthening the long-standing ties between the two nations.
Renewed Momentum
Past attempts to pass this legislation have faced setbacks. In 2018, a similar bill passed unanimously in the House but was ultimately blocked by Senator Tom Cotton. Another version of the bill was introduced later but did not gain traction. However, renewed efforts in 2022 saw two bipartisan bills introduced, laying the groundwork for today’s push.
The latest development came on February 13, 2025, when a new bill was introduced in Congress. At this stage, the bill will be reviewed by committee before potentially moving forward to a vote in the House and Senate. While there is still a long way to go, the fact that the Irish E-3 visa remains an active legislative priority is promising.
Who Would Qualify?
If the bill passes, eligibility would likely mirror the requirements of the Australian E-3 visa. The current requirements include:
- Australian citizenship
- Having a U.S. employer for a job that is considered a “specialty occupation,” i.e., requires a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field
- Ensuring the job will pay you the higher of the prevailing wage (determined by the Department of Labor) or the actual wage (wage paid to workers in similar positions)
- Holding that specific Bachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent in work experience (12 years)
- Note: we work with employers and employees to advise them on the wage requirement, specialty occupation definition, requirements, etc.
- An ultimate intent to depart the U.S.
The E-3 visa is granted for an initial period of 2 years, but can be renewed indefinitely in 2-year increments. Note that it is still a temporary visa and is not a green card. Spouses and children under 21 years old are able to apply for a dependent E-3 visa, and E-3 spouses can even work immediately on entry and independently from the primary E-3 holder!
What’s Next?
To become law, the proposed Irish E-3 visa bills would need to pass in both the House and the Senate, and then be signed into law by President Trump. While there is no guarantee that this bill will pass, its introduction signals continued momentum for the Irish E-3 visa. If President Trump were to support the bill, the rest of his party would likely fall in line.
Advocates remain cautiously optimistic, and we will be closely monitoring developments in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates as this bill moves through Congress!
