Ireland Work Permit

Although there are nine types of Irish work permits, they have similar general requirements that you need to be aware of before beginning the application process. Be aware that each type of permit has differing additional requirements, but the generic ones require applicants to be:

• Non-EEA citizens.
• A job offer holder has access to foreign work while in Ireland, although this does not apply in some cases.
• Holders of a clean criminal record.
• Private health insurance holders with validity for Irish private healthcare throughout their time in Ireland.
• Able to travel to Ireland with a valid passport and a visa or passport stamp if necessary.
• Able to carry out the role they have been hired for with the necessary skills and qualifications.
• Able to pay the semi-refundable application fee of 1000 euros or have an employer who is prepared to do so.

Most Irish work permits are general employment permits that allow you to work in Ireland in most roles that are in high demand. To get this permit, you will need to have a prospective job offer from an Irish employer, and the offer must fit basic requirements across four categories.

• Pay: a minimum salary of 30,000 euros, which can be reduced to 27,000-25,000 euros due to certain circumstances or increased based on hours worked.
• Role: your job offer must be for an occupation that is not included within the Ineligible List of Occupations regularly updated online by the Irish government.
• Your employer must have followed the Labour Market Needs Test to prove that no suitable Irish or EEA candidates came forward.
• 50/50 Rule: your workplace employs at least 50% Irish or EEA citizens, and your appointment will not upset this balance.

Be aware that these rules do not always apply depending on your exact circumstances. In the case of the 50/50 rule, the exceptions apply to companies that:

• Are young at less than two years old, is a client of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland, and possesses a letter of support from one of these institutions.
• Have non-EEA workers on employment permits from before 1 October 2014. Any such workers aren’t included in the 50/50 rule calculation.
• Will be employing you as the only member of staff.

It’s up to you to decide whether you want to apply for the work permit directly or if you want your employer to make the application on your behalf. When you make the application, it will be sent to the employer permits section of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

To make the application process easier, they have created the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). EPOS is an online portal that allows you to submit all of the necessary documentation and fill out your application form.

During the application, you will be required to fill out the following information.

• Details about your employer, displaying the work that they do and their current EEA to non-EEA work ratio.
• Your personal details, such as your nationality, previous residency status in Ireland, current residency status, and any qualifications you possess.
• Information about your role. This can include what you will be doing, the qualifications, skills, and knowledge you have to help you complete your duties and the duration of your prospective employment.
• Salary information showing the hours you work each week and the standard pay you will receive. Only include your basic wage, and don’t feature any expected bonuses or overtime allowance.
• Personal and employer contact information.

The information you provide must be substantiated by a range of documentation. This includes the following:

• A valid passport.
• A valid PPS number if you already have one.
• Current residents in Ireland will need to provide a copy of their immigration stamp or an Irish residence permit card.
• Any qualifications you claim to have must be substantiated with the appropriate certificates.
• All job advertisements posted by your employer must be provided in line with the Labour Market Needs Test if it is required.
• A Revenue Commissioner statement to prove the legitimate status of your employer.
• A contract for your prospective employment signed by you and your employer. Claims made about your salary and the role made elsewhere in the application must be backed by this.
• Licenses for any machinery you will need to operate in the role.

Once you have gathered together your information and documentation on the EPOS system, you will be ready to submit your application. The final step is to pay the partially refundable application fee of 1000 euros.

As the number of Irish employment permits continues to rise, the number of refusals and rejections also rises. During the first half of 2022 alone, there were 2,210 employment permit applications refused and 1466 rejected.

In cases where an application has been rejected, you will be unable to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, a refusal indicates a smaller issue with your application, and therefore, you are permitted to make an appeal. This appeal must be completed within 30 days of receiving the decision that your application has been refused, and you will not have to pay a fee for making your appeal. The appeals process requires you to submit a “submission of a decision for review.” A physical copy of this piece of documentation will need to be sent directly to the Irish Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation. You must follow the same process if you believe your work permit has been revoked unfairly.

As well as reasserting your personal information, your appeal is an opportunity to justify why you believe you are fully eligible for the type of employment permit that you have applied for.