Atypical Working Scheme (AWS)

The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is the Department of Justice immigration instrument that authorises short-term work in Ireland by non-EEA nationals where the work doesn't fit a standard Employment Permit or a 14-day visitor-business exemption. Administered by the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) division.

For productions, AWS is the route for non-EEA crew or talent working in Ireland for more than 14 days but less than 90 days.

When AWS is the right route

The 6 designated categories

The Required Documents Reference Guide lists six specific categories that have prescribed document checklists:

1. Non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet (not film/TV)
2. Non-EEA Nurse seeking recognition of qualifications
3. Internship
4. Locum doctor in the Hospital Sector
5. Locum doctor in the Primary Care Sector (General Practice)
6. Postgraduate Medical Training Fellowship

None of these specifically cover film + television production. Film + TV crew + cast use the General Application category — the catch-all category for any other type of permission not listed above. The required documents for the General Application category are at the discretion of the ISD case officer but typically include:

• Producer / employer letter confirming the engagement
• Proof of the role
• Proof of the duration
• Evidence of accommodation / financial means
• The applicant's passport
• Where applicable, an Atypical Working Scheme Required Documents Reference Guide checklist

Fees and timing

The €250 is paid at submission and is non-refundable if the application is refused.

Visa-required vs visa-exempt nationalities

AWS is a work permission, not a visa. The applicant may also need a visa to enter Ireland:

• Visa-required nationals — must obtain BOTH a visa AND an AWS permission. The visa application can run in parallel but generally needs the AWS approval to support it.
• Visa-exempt nationals — only need AWS permission. They enter Ireland on their visa-exempt status and the AWS permission authorises the work.

The visa-required vs exempt list is published by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Renewals and extensions

AWS permissions are not extendable beyond the original 90-day grant. A non-EEA worker who has reached the 90-day cap and needs to continue working in Ireland must either:

• Leave Ireland and (subject to a cooling-off period — typically 90 days) apply for a fresh AWS
• Apply for an Employment Permit (the 12-week-lead route)

Submission

Applications submitted via the ISD Atypical Working Scheme portal. The portal accepts the General Application category submission; uploaded documents per the case-specific requirements.

How Togra supports this

Non-EEA cast and crew engagements are flagged on the Bordáil compliance pack with an AWS / Employment Permit decision tree based on the planned duration. The 20-working-day SLA appears as a countdown on each non-EEA engagement record, with documentation checklist surfaced inline.