Policy in relation to Sports Professionals

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Non-EEA Sports Professionals who wish to play sport professionally in Ireland must apply for a Work Permit.

The Sports Professional Work Permits Scheme, which is less onerous than the standard Work Permits Scheme, is made available to sporting organisations as a concession to support sports within Ireland and may be withdrawn if the conditions of the Scheme are not observed.

Applications for Work Permits for Sports Professionals are only considered for players and are not considered for coaches. A Sports Professional who holds a Work Permit must only be engaged as a Professional Player. The contracted player is not permitted to engage in any other form of employment for the Club or for any other employer. Furthermore, it should be noted that Work Permits are employer specific. Therefore, a Professional Player cannot move from one club to another club without first receiving a new employment permit.

Work Permit applications for coaches must meet normal work permit criteria.

Work Permits for Sports Professionals are generally issued for the period of the playing season and are non-renewable. However, where the salary of the Sports Professional is over €30,000 per annum, a Work Permit may be considered for a longer period.

New applications for Sports Professionals can only be considered where the professional is residing outside the State. A Sports Professional, in respect of whom a Work Permit application has been submitted, must not arrive, or play, in Ireland prior to the issuing of the Work Permit.

The following information must be provided when applying for a Work Permit for a Sports Professional:

• Cover letter indicating that this application is for a Sports Professional

• Fully completed new application form with all relevant attachments and fee.

• Applications for Sports Professionals must include a letter of support from the governing body for that particular sport e.g. Football - F.A.I, Rugby - I.R.F.U.

• Copy of the contract between the Club and the Sports Professional

• FÁS/EURES and newspaper advertisements are not required

• The normal Work Permit salary requirement of at least €30,000 per annum is not applicable in the case of Sports Professionals. However, wages have to be at least the National Weekly Minimum Wage regardless of the number of hours the player works.

A fully completed application form together with the appropriate fee and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Employment Permits Section 6 - 8 weeks before the start of the playing season.

Please note that if a Sports Professional who holds a Work Permit ceases to be employed by the Club named on the Work Permit, the Club must inform the Employment Permit Section and must ensure that both the original Work Permit and the certified copy are returned to the Employment Permits Section.