Work Permits Ireland

All non-EEA nationals require a valid employment permit or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality, which allows them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an employment permit. The Irish State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the European Union and other EEA states. However, where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an employment permit may be sought for a non-EEA national who possesses those skills.

The application procedures and timeline may vary depending on the type of employment permit you are looking for. Applicants could file an application online with their employer’s assistance or through our Future Direct Irish Immigration Services. 

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The answer is “Yes”, given that you have fulfilled all the requirements. However, you would require permission to access the labour market under a scheme administered by the Department of Justice. Please get in touch with us directly for further details and instructions on how to apply.

The application process time ranges from 5 to 6 weeks. However, it highly depends on the number of applications filed with the department.

You can track your employment permit application progress through the Online Status Update Enquiry.

No. All applications depend on a job offer from an employer based in Ireland and registered with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The employment permit system is ordered by using occupation lists, which determine which type of employment permit one is eligible for.

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The list of occupations ineligible for an employment permit can be found here. Generally, all occupations outside of this list are eligible for a General Employment Permit.

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A critical skill employment permit may be eligible if one's occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List. This is usually for highly demanded and skilled professions, including professional positions in engineering, IT, sciences, finance, and senior management. The processing time for a CSEP is faster than that for other types of employment permits.

The cease of employment must be notified to the employment permits section by email at epms@enterprise.gov.ie. The original permit and the certified copy must be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

You need to notify the Employment Permits Section by email at epms@enterprise.gov.ie. You may be eligible to apply for a new employment permit with a new employer if you have a job offer. You can also apply for a temporary visa to remain and work in the state by writing to the Department of Justice.

Normally, there is no restriction on a current employment permit holder changing employer after 12 months. A new employment permit is required before the commencement of employment with the new employer.

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The Employment Permits Acts provide that the Minister may refuse to grant a new employment permit if a foreign national has not completed 12 months of employment with their employer on foot of their first employment permit in the State. This is more commonly known as the “12-month rule”.

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If one wishes to change employer before completing the first 12 months with your current employer, written consent from the current employer is required.

You must notify the employment permits section of the DETE within four weeks of the redundancy by attaching the Redundancy Notification Form, and you may be granted a temporary visa for six months to remain in the State to secure new employment. Contact us here for more information.

The foreign national can only work for the employer and at the location(s) specified on the employment permit. If the foreign national will be working at a location other than that stated on their employment permit, then the Employment Permits Section must be notified by email at epms@enterprise.gov.ie.