Employment Permits – Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Employment Permit?

An Employment Permit is a permission issued to a non-EEA national, which permits his or her employment in the State by the employer named on the Employment Permit in the occupation specified on the permit.

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Who needs an Employment Permit to work in Ireland?

In general, non-EEA nationals require Employment Permits to work in Ireland. For more information and details of exemptions, please refer to the Who needs an Employment Permit document on this website.

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What is the European Economic Area (EEA)?

The EEA is an area of free trade and free movement of peoples comprising the member states of the European Union, in addition to: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. For more information on the EEA, please refer to the EEA document on this website.

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Are there different types of Employment Permits?

Yes:

• Work Permits
• Green Card Employment Permits
• Spousal and Dependant Permits
• Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits

Guides to all permit types are available on this website.Back to top

Are all jobs eligible for Employment Permits?

No. For information on jobs which are not eligible for Employment Permits, please refer to the Ineligible Jobs List on this website.

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How long does an Employment Permit last?

• Work Permits may be granted for periods from 6 months to 24 months in the first instance and may be renewed for further periods up to 3 years.
• Green Card Employment Permits are issued for a period of 2 years.
• Spousal/Dependant Permits will normally be issued up to the expiry date of the GNIB Card (Garda National Immigration Bureau) of the existing employment permit holder.
• Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits may be granted for a maximum period of 24 months in the first instance and may be extended upon application to a maximum stay of five years.

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If I have a query about Employment Permits who can I phone?

If you have a query on Employment Permits, please contact our call centre

Phone: (01) 417 5333
LoCall: 1890 201 616**
Email:employmentpermits@entemp.ie
Fax: (01) 631 3268

** Note that the rates charged for the use of 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers.

Call Centre Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday
9:30am – 12:30pm

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I am a non-EEA national married to an EEA national. Do I need to apply for an Employment Permit?

Please refer to the information on Employment Permits for non-EEA nationals married to EU nationals this website.

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I am a non-EEA national in a de facto (non-marital) relationship with an EEA national. Do I need to apply for an Employment Permit?

Please refer to the information on Employment Permits for non-EEA nationals in De Facto (non-marital) Relationships on this website.

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I am a Bulgarian national who wants to work in Ireland. Do I need to apply for an Employment Permit ?

Please refer to the information on Bulgarian nationals and Employment Permits on this website.

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I am a Romanian national who wants to work in Ireland. Do I need to apply for a permit?

Please refer to the information on Romanian nationals and Employment Permits on this website.

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Where can I get a copy of the Employment Permits Act 2003?

The text of the Employment Permits Act 2003 is available on the Legislation page of this website.

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Where can I get a copy of the Employment Permits Act 2006?

The text of the Employment Permits Act 2006 is available on the Legislation page of this website.

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Who can apply for an Employment Permit?

Either the employer or the employee can apply for a permit.

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Do I have to submit my original documents with my application?

The original application form must be submitted. Do not send originals of other documentation - good clear colour copies of all other documentation are acceptable.

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Where do I send my completed application to?

Please send completed applications to:

Employment Permits Section
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
Davitt House
65a Adelaide Road
Dublin 2

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How long does it take to process an application?

Depending on the volume of applications on hands in the Employment Permits Section the time taken to process an application can vary. For current processing dates, please refer to the Current Processing Dates page on this website. In order to ensure that your application is processed on time, please submit your application at least 12 weeks before proposed commencement of employment (in the case of a new permit) or the expiry of your current permit (in the case of a renewal).

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How can I find the current application processing dates?

Current application processing dates are available on the current processing date page on this website.

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Can my application be prioritised?

No. Applications are processed strictly in date of receipt order.

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Can I enter employment while my application is being processed?

No. In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National (unless exempted) must hold a valid Employment Permit.

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If my current Employment Permit expires before a decision is made on my application, what can I do?

Provided you have submitted a renewal application before the expiry of your current permit, you can continue to work for the employer and in the position stated on your permit.

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I am an Employment Permit holder who has been made redundant. What will I do?

Please refer to the Policy for persons on valid Employment Permits who have been made redundanton this website.

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I have been issued with an Employment permit. Do I need to do anything else?

If an Employment Permit issues to a foreign national they should, where necessary, obtain an entry visa from their local Irish Embassy/Consulate. Contact details for the Irish Embassies/consulates abroad can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.dfa.ie.

On arrival in the State the employee should register with the National Garda Registration Office (Immigration Registration Office, Garda National Immigration Bureau, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, for persons intending to reside in the Dublin area, or the Garda Superintendent's office in the relevant Garda District for persons intending to reside elsewhere in the State) to obtain the appropriate permission to remain in the State as an employee. This must be done in order to have the correct immigration status for permission to remain in the State.

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What is the Labour Market Needs Test?

Please refer to the information note on the Labour Market Needs Test on this website.

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I am a non-EEA Doctor who wants to apply for an Employment Permit to work in Ireland. Do any special conditions apply to me?

Please refer to the information note on Employment Permits for non-EEA Doctors on this website.

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I am a non-EEA nurse who wants to apply for an Employment Permit to work in Ireland. Do any special conditions apply to me?

Please refer to the information note on Employment Permits for non-EEA Nurses on this website.

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I am a non-EEA Sports Professional who wants to play professionally in Ireland. How do I apply for a Work Permit?

Please refer to the information note on Sports Professionals on this website.

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How much does it cost to apply for an Employment Permit?

For information on the cost of applying for an Employment Permit, please refer to the Schedule of Fees on this website.

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Who pays the fee?

The applicant must pay the fee.

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How do I pay the fee and who do I pay it to?

Payment must be in the form of a Euro denominated cheque, bank draft or postal order, drawn on a financial institution operating within the Irish clearing system. Please note that all foreign drafts and cheques will be returned. Cheques should be made payable to: Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment..

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Where can I find information on Green Cards?

Please refer to the Guide to Green Cards which is available on this website.

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I wish to apply for a Green Card but don’t know what form to fill out

Please complete the New Employment Permit Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed commencement of employment.

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I am the holder of a Green Card. How can I renew it?

For information on the renewal of process for the Green Card permit holders, please refer to the Renewal of Green Card Employment Permit on this website.

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I am the holder of a Green Card. Am I free to move employer?

If you are on your first Green Card permit in the State, then you cannot change employment within the first twelve months of the start date of the permit. A change in employment in the first 12 months will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. After 12 months you are free to move employer but a new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

If you are not on your first employment permit in the State, even if it is your first employment permit with the employer named on the permit, you can move employer. A new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

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I am the holder of a Green Card and my pay/conditions have changed. What should I do?

Please refer to the Important Notice for non-EEA Green Card Permit holderson this website

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I am the holder of a Green Card and I have been made redundant. What will I do?

Please refer to the Policy for persons on valid Employment Permits who have been made redundant on this website.

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Where can I find information on Work Permits?

Please refer to the Guide to Work Permits which is available on this website.

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I wish to apply for a Work Permit but don’t know what form to fill out?

Please complete the New Employment Permit Application Form which is available on this website. and submit it, together with all the required documentation, to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed commencement of employment.

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How can I renew my Work Permit?

Please complete the Renewal Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the expiry date of your existing permit.

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I am the holder of a Work Permit. Am I free to move employer?

If you are on your first Work Permit in the State, then you cannot change employment within the first twelve months of the start date of the permit. A change in employment in the first 12 months will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. After 12 months you are free to move employer but a new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

If you are not on your first employment permit in the State, even if it is your first employment permit with the employer named on the permit, you can move employer. A new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

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I have held a Work Permit for more than five years. Do I need to apply for another permit to continue working in Ireland?

Please refer to thePolicy on Employment Permits for non-EEA nationals who have held permits for 5 years or moreon this website.

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I am the holder of a Work Permit and I have been made redundant? What will I do?

Please refer to the Policy for persons on valid Employment Permits who have been made redundant on this website.

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I am a non-EEA graduate of an Irish third level institution. Can I apply for an Employment Permit?

Yes. Please refer to the Policy in relation to Employment Permit applications under the Graduate Scheme. on this website.

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Where can I find information on Spousal/Dependant Employment Permits?

Please refer to the Guide to Spousal/Dependant Work Permits which is available on this website.

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I wish to apply for a Spousal/Dependant Employment Permit but don’t know what form to fill out

Please complete the New Employment Permit Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed commencement of employment.

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How can I renew my Spousal/Dependant Employment Permit?

Please complete the Renewal Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the expiry date of your existing permit.

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I am the holder of a Spousal/Dependant Employment Permit. Am I free to move employer?

If you are on your first Spousal/Dependant Permit in the State, then you cannot change employment within the first twelve months of the start date of the permit. A change in employment in the first 12 months will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. After 12 months you are free to move employer but a new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

If you are not on your first employment permit in the State, even if it is your first employment permit with the employer named on the permit, you can move employer. A new Employment Permit application will have to be submitted in respect of your new employment.

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I am the spouse or dependant of the holder of a Hosting Agreement. Can I apply for an Employment Permit?

Please refer to the Policy in relation to Spouses and Dependants of Hosting Agreement Holders n this website

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Where can I find information on Intra Company Transfer Employment Permits?

Please refer to the Guide to Intra-Company Transfer permits which is available on this website.

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I wish to apply for an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit but don’t know what form to fill out

Please complete the Intra-Company Transfer Permit Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed commencement of employment.

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Can an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit be renewed?

The duration of an Intra Company Transfer Permit would be for a defined period depending on the reason for transfer. Applications may be granted for a maximum period of up to 24 months in the first instance and may be extended upon application for a further period of up to 3 years. The maximum stay on an Intra-Company Transfer is five years.

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What form do I use to extend or renew my Intra-Company Transfer?

To extend or renew an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit, please complete the Intra-Company Transfer Permit Application Form which is available on this website and submit it, together with all the required documentation to the Employment Permit Section at least 12 weeks prior to the expiry of current Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit.

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When my ICT expires can I apply for another type of Employment Permit?

No. The employee/transferee cannot work for any employer other than that named in the permit. At the cessation of the employment or when the permit expires the employee/transferee in question must return to their country of origin.

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I am the holder an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit. Can my Spouse or Dependants apply for a Spousal/Dependant Employment Permit?

Yes once they are legally resident in the State on the basis of being your Spouse or Dependant and you applied for your Intra-Company before 1 June 2009, they are free to seek employment and apply for a Spousal/Dependant work permit.

However, if you applied for your first Intra-Company Transfer on or after 1 June 2009, your Spouse or Dependant will be required to apply for a Work Permit in their own right according to standard work permit eligibility criteria, including a labour market needs test, restriction to vacancies in eligible job categories and payment of the standard application fee. Please refer to the Guide to Work Permits which is available on this website.

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I am the holder of a Work Authorisation/Work Visa. How can I extend my permission to remain?

Please refer to the information note on Work Authorisation/Work Visa holders on this website.

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I am the holder of a Work Authorisation/Work Visa for 5 years or more. Can I avail of the new arrangements introduced in August 2009

Yes. Please refer to thePolicy on Employment Permits for non-EEA nationals who have held permits for 5 years or moreon this website.

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