To work in Ireland, you must, in general, have:
- a valid entry visa (if necessary);
- a valid employment permit; and
- a certificate of registration called an Irish Residence Permit issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) or local Immigration Officer after you arrive in Ireland.
Where and how to apply | General Employment Permit General Employment permits for employed workers are granted for jobs with an annual salary of at least €30,000, excluding bonuses. Applications for jobs with annual pay of less than €30,000, for example where the specific occupation has broadly lower salaries, are considered on an exceptional basis in the following cases:
Non-EEA nationals with a stamp 1, 1A, 1G, 2, 2A or 3 residence permission may apply for a General Employment Permit provided the job is not on the list of ineligible categories of employment for employment permits. Employment permits are not granted for jobs listed as ineligible. You or your future employer must complete the online employment permit application form via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A contract of employment signed by both parties must be submitted with each application. A general employment permit checklist and step by step user guide are available to assist with your application. Evidence of having completed the must be included in the application, with the exception of the following:
To fulfil the Labour Market Needs Test the employer must advertise the vacancy on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for two weeks and additionally in a national newspaper and either a local newspaper or a job website (other than Department of Employment and Social Protection/EURES website) for three days. The employment permit is granted only if there are no national or EEA/Swiss workers available to fill the position. It cannot be issued where this would result in 50% of the workforce employed in Ireland coming from outside the EEA/Switzerland, with the exception of:-
Non-EEA nationals who are already lawfully resident in the State and hold a valid Certificate of Registration (GNIB card) with Stamps 1, 1A, 1G, 2, 2A and 3 immigration permissions, may apply to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation for an Employment Permit, if offered employment in an eligible occupation apart from those on the Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits list. The assessment of skills, labour market shortages and appropriateness of the salary level will be determined by that Department. Current holders of an Employment Permit in respect of an exchange agreement or an internship and holders of an Intra-Corporate Transfer (Intra-CT) Employment Permit undergoing a one-year training programme in the State, can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit from within the State and subject to the normal criteria. Visa Once your employment permit is issued, you must obtain a long-stay D-visa, unless you are visa-exempt. |
| Documents required | In addition to the completed employment permit form and required fees, you must have a job offer and provide:
You must be directly paid and employed by your employer. Your employer must be registered with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office and must operate his/her trading in Ireland. |
| Duration of validity of permits | A General Employment permit is first issued for a maximum period of two years, renewable for a maximum of three years.
If you have held a General Employment Permit for five consecutive years and have been working lawfully, you can apply for permission to reside and work in Ireland without an employment permit. This applies to those made redundant after five years working on a permit and to those still in employment. |
| Further requirements | Following admission to Ireland, you must register with your local immigration officer and obtain a certificate of registration.
If you live in Dublin City or county, you must register at Burgh Quay Immigration Registration Office. This office is managed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). If you live outside Dublin City or county, you must register at your local immigration registration office. These offices are managed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (police) and located at Garda stations nationwide. |
| Appeals | You can appeal a refusal decision within 28 days by completing a Submission of a Decision for Review Form. The appeal will be considered by a separate and more senior official. The refusal of an application on appeal does not prevent you submitting a new application. |
| Further information | More on employment permits
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| Change of employment | You can only work for the employer and in the occupation mentioned on your permit.
You may only change employer if a new application for employment permit is made and granted. Generally, a change of employer is not permitted within the first 12 months of employment in Ireland. If you cease to be employed by the employer named on the permit during the period of validity of the permit, the original permit and the certified copy must be returned immediately to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. |
| Unemployment | If you lose your job through redundancy, you should notify the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation using the redundancy notification form within 28 days of your dismissal. Employment permit for less than 5 years:
If you have worked with an employment permit for less than five years and are made redundant involuntarily, you should inform the Employment Permits Section on the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and must inform the Garda National Immigration Bureau or local immigration officer. Employment permit for 5 years or more: More on the redundancy policy and provisions for five-year workers |
| Five-year workers | All workers who have held employment permits for five years or more (consecutively) and who have been working lawfully during that time will be exempted from the requirement to hold an employment permit, subject to certain conditions.
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| Long-term resident status | After five years of legal residence in Ireland on the basis of an employment permit, you may apply for long-term residence and/or citizenship, subject to conditions being fulfilled.
The status is granted at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality. After eight years of legal residence in Ireland, you may apply for leave to remain Without Condition As To Time (WCATT). |
- Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Employment Permits Section)
- Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (visas)
- Garda National Immigration Bureau
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Employment Services
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Citizens Information (Coming to Work in Ireland)