Note on Transitional Arrangements January -February 2007

Work Permit Applications received before 1 January 2007

Applications that were received before 1 January 2007 are being examined and processed in accordance with the regime in place up to that time.

Work Permit Applications received during January 2007

Work permit applications received during January will be assessed and granted in the same manner as before consistent with the requirements of the Employment Permits Act 2006. This means for example that the permits will be granted to the employee and will be accompanied by the information referred to in the Act.

Work Permit Applications received after 31 January 2007

Work Permit applications received after 31 January will be processed and assessed in accordance with the new arrangements. These new arrangements will include new work permit application forms, new work permits with additional security features and a strengthened labour market test, including evidence of advertising in national newspapers.

Work Visa/Work Authorisations/Green Cards

With effect from 1 January 2007, Irish embassies abroad and, where applicable the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are not accepting new Work Visa/Work Authorisation applications and this scheme has been discontinued.

It is being replaced by the Green Card Permit which will come into operation from 1 February. Any urgent Work Visa/Work Authorisations applications received before 1 February will be dealt with by issuing work permits (in respect of which applications may be made to convert them to Green Cards, if eligible, after 1 February).

IntraCompany Transfers

From 1 February, the new IntraCompany Transfer scheme will come into operation. Any urgent Intra-Company Transfer applications received before 1 February will be dealt with by issuing work permits.