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Previous employment permits notices

Redistribution of Meat Processing and Horticulture Employment Permits

9 February 2023

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has been advised by the Department of Justice that it has been made aware of serious concerns in relation to the practices of certain overseas agents, acting on behalf of visa applicants who are seeking general employment in the State. These concerns resulted in a large reduction in the visa approval rate for this cohort.

In addition, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is aware that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has directly impacted individuals issued with employment permits who have been unable to take up employment opportunities.

As a result, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has moved forward to commence the cancellation of these unused permits and has arranged for the redistribution of this limited number of unused employment permits in respect of Meat Processing Operatives and Horticultural Workers on a first come basis.

The department is providing notice that this redistribution will commence on 14 March at 9.00am when employment permit applications can be made in respect of these roles. It is important to note that as these roles are for a General Employment Permit, a valid Labour Market Needs Test must be undertaken, which can be commenced now. The advertised salary for both roles in all advertisements must take into account changes to the National Minimum Wage which increased to €11.30 per hour or €22,916.40 per annum from 1 January 2023. All employment permit applications must show that the prospective employee's basic salary is the current NMW rate or higher in order for a permit to be issued.

 

Notice regarding 'Return and Refund' process

From 16 January 2023 all General Employment Permit applications will be initially screened across a small number of key mandatory criteria to ensure compliance with the requirements of this permit type, prior to it being accepted for formal processing.  Should the application fail to provide the required valid information it will be returned together with a full refund.

 

Important notice regarding home carers, bus and coach drivers, and dairy farm assistants

Measures to address skill shortages in agriculture, transport and home care sectors: Dairy farm assistants, bus and coach drivers, and home carers now eligible for employment permits 

Changes announced 16 December 2022

A quota of 1,000 General Employment Permits for the role of care workers and home carers has been introduced. This role is listed under code 6145 on the Standard Occupational Categorisation list. The permits will be issued for two years and require a minimum annual remuneration of €27,000 based on a 39-hour week, and a minimum full QQI Level 5 qualification in health and social care or equivalent or successfully completed a full QQI Level 5 qualification (or higher qualification) in health and social care within 2 years of permit issue. There will be a requirement for a 4-hour minimum continuous shift length.

The quota of General Employment Permits for the role of dairy farm assistant has been increased by 500. A minimum annual remuneration of €30,000, based on a 39-hour week, is required.

A quota of 1500 employment permits is being introduced for the role of bus and coach drivers. A minimum annual remuneration of €30,000 based on a 39-hour week is required, and drivers must hold driving licence categories D, DE, D1 and D1E or recognised equivalent.

Applications for home carers, bus and coach drivers, dairy farm assistants as well as all General Employment Permit applications

An application for a General Employment Permit (GEP) can only be submitted when a valid Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) has been undertaken. To satisfy a valid LMNT, an employer must advertise the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 consecutive days without any edits or amendments. The 28 day period can start from the announcement of the new regulations (16 December). Failure to correctly undertake the LMNT will result in the return of the application and the refund of the fee. Full information on the carrying out of the LMNT is provided on the department’s website – Labour Market Needs Test. 

 

New refund process 

1 October 2022

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is continuously seeking to improve the way in which our operations are delivered for the benefit of users of the Employment Permits System. As part of this process, we have developed a new system to refund fees in respect of Employment Permit applications, which we will be launching in October 2022. This new system will allow electronic refunds to be made direct to the credit/debit card used to pay for the application, once the refund request is received within 170 days of the original payment. This will result in the refund of monies within days of the “Refund Request Form” being returned, as opposed to the multiple weeks this process takes at present, requiring mandate forms and Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) to nominated bank accounts. We appreciate your continued support as we roll out this exciting innovation.

It is important to note that any refund requests received more than 170 days after initial application payment is made will continue to be paid by EFT.

 

Update on quota for Meat Operatives and Dairy Farm Assistants

30 September 2022

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2021, Statutory Instrument SI No 559 of 2021, set a maximum quota of 100 General Employment Permits for Dairy Farm Assistants and 1,500 General Employment Permits for Meat Processing Operatives on 27 October 2021. An additional quota extension of 425 Meat Processing Operative permits was also established in June 2022. These quotas have now been filled. 

Please do not submit new applications for Dairy Farm Assistants and Meat Processing Operatives at this time.  Any applications for these roles will be returned.

 

New employment permit format

1 September 2022 

As of 1 September 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will commence issuing all employment permits in an electronic format with the addition of the signature of a senior official on behalf of the Minister, as well as a unique permit number. There will be no requirement to exchange current permits for this updated permit format and all existing permits issued will continue to remain valid.

Please note: When renewing a current employment permit, you will still be required to fill in the employment permit number as all zeros on our online forms. 

 

Request for Stamp 4 support letter for doctors with a General Employment Permit

1 September 2022  

Form for doctors with a General Employment Permit to request a Stamp 4 support letter

Non-EEA doctors already in the State for 21 months or more with a General Employment Permit may apply for a new permission granting them the right to work without a permit. Their spouses or partners will also receive a permission allowing them to work. 

The request for Stamp 4 support letter form should be completed and returned, along with a recent payslip, to EPStamp4@enterprise.gov.ie marking the subject title Doctors Stamp 4 Request. An acknowledgement email will issue shortly after submission of the form. No further action is required by the applicant.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will notify applicants once applications are approved and will send requests on the applicants behalf to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice will then process applications and issue the Stamp 4 permission directly to the doctors concerned. Applicants must ensure that their address and contact details held by the Department of Justice are correct.

Applications will be accepted from 1 September to 31 October 2022.

Minister English announces changes made to the employment permits system

20 June 2022

Changes will help address skill and labour shortages in the health sector – Minister English

Minister English announced changes made by SI to the employment permits system which includes adding the occupations of Pharmacist, Cardiac Physiologist; Medical Scientist; Occupational Therapist; Physiotherapist; Podiatrist/Chiropodist; Psychologist and Speech and Language Therapist to the Critical Skills Occupations List. This means these jobs are now eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.

Minister English said:

 “I have responded to the evidence provided by the Health Sector which highlighted that increasing competition for skilled candidates for these healthcare roles with a scarcity of these skills to meet global demand has led to significant challenges in recruiting of staff to the health service. This has been further exacerbated by the global pandemic. These changes will help employers in Ireland to recruit non-EEA nationals for these critical roles in the health sector.” 

"Our health workforce is expanding and having these occupations eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permits will make Ireland a more attractive place to live and work in for those medical and therapy professionals from across the globe.”

On the employment permits system in Ireland, Minister English said:

“Our economic migration policy accommodates the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps in the domestic economy in the short to medium term. My Department aims to review the system bi-annually, working with other Government Departments to promote an integrated approach to address labour and skills shortages in the longer term. Where shortages are clearly evidenced, the employment permit system is flexible enough to address these shortages in real time.

Other immediate changes to the employment permit system

The occupations of Bricklayer and Plasterer were both removed from the Ineligible Occupations List in April 2019 subject to quota limitations. In addition to that, in October last year, a number of additional construction sector occupations were also removed from the Ineligible Occupations List. With immediate effect, the limitation of a quota no longer applies, and this decision to remove the quota entirely will ensure that it does not become a constraint on labour market supply for the construction sector for these roles.

Recognising the ongoing challenges in the agri-food sector, a final quota extension of 425 Meat Processing Operatives has been approved to allow for the processing of permit applications remaining in the Employment Permits processing queue.

Press release: Minister English announces changes made to the employment permits system

Review of the Occupations Lists to launch during Quarter 2 2022

12 April 2022

Consideration of the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market had a significant influence on the outcome of the last review of the Occupations Lists, the third review undertaken in the present climate. As we emerge from the pandemic, there are many challenges to be faced with actions such as the upskilling and reskilling of the existing workforce essential to ensure Ireland meets the challenges faced by COVID-19, Brexit, automation and by our need to address climate change.

Cognisant of the impending changes to labour market circumstances, in particular the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis and the recent ending of the PUP scheme on 25 March 2022, and acknowledging the significant number of changes made to the Occupations List on 27 October 2021, the Department intends to launch the next review of the Occupations List in Quarter 2 2022.

The Department will continue to review the employment permits system in light of changing labour market circumstances. When open, submissions will be invited from sector representative bodies and interested parties via the Public Consultation Form which will be accessible on the Department’s website throughout the consultation period.

Changes to processing queues 

31 March 2022

The Department recognises the impact delays on the processing times for work permits has for businesses and their workers and has implemented an action plan to reduce processing times built up over the past year. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled from 2021 levels. Internal processes have been streamlined and hundreds of doctors have been removed from the system thanks to changes put in place following engagement with the Department of Justice and the Department of Health.

Waiting time for Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs) have been more than halved in the past seven weeks. The Department plans to maintain processing times for all CSEP applications at approximately 6 weeks for all of Q2, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels. 

All flexible resources have now been redeployed to other permit types (GEPs, ICTs, and so on). The Department will make progress in reducing these processing times in Q2. However, more rapid progress will be delivered after the completion of the c. 3,000 one-off applications we are currently processing for the meat and horticulture sector, which should take approximately 5 weeks to clear, in addition to normal processing workload. The Department expects to see a consistent strong fall in waiting times from mid-May, with waiting times considerably reduced by end Q2. 

In Q3 the Department will continue to drive down waiting times across all permit types.

Fast track to Stamp 4 for non-EEA doctors

8 March 2022

Following the announcement by the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, doctors who have been working here for more than two years will immediately be able to access a Stamp 4 permission and spousal work rights.

To apply, complete the request for Stamp 4 support letter and return it to EPStamp4@enterprise.gov.ie, and clearly flag in the subject title that it is 'Doctors Stamp 4 Request'. Along with the completed form, doctors should also include a recent payslip.

An acknowledgement email will be sent shortly after submission of your form. No further action from you will be required, and we will contact you if we require additional information, you do not need to contact DETE after this point.

We anticipate extremely high demand, and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure a timely response.

Once applications are approved by DETE, we will notify them of their success and send a request on their behalf to the Department of Justice (DoJ). DoJ will then process this application and issue the Stamp 4 permission directly to the doctors concerned. Once a letter of support is issued, no further action is required.

Applications will be accepted from Thursday, 10 March until Friday, 29 April.

Notification on changes made to the processing queues for Employment Permits

7 March 2022

Over the past number of months, we have seen our processing times move out quite considerably. The Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits over the course of 2021, impacting on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications.

The Department issued 16,275 employment permits in 2021, and processed a total of 17,968 applications which represents a significant volume of activity. The impact of this resulted in a significant backlog, which increased from 1,000 in April 2021 to approximately 10,500 at the end of January 2022.

The Department recognises the impact of current delays on the processing times for work permits for businesses and their workers and has developed a plan of action to bring down the processing backlog built up over the pandemic. The plan includes both additional staffing and systemic changes. Our staffing actions include the recruitment of additional permanent and temporary staff such that when all recruitment is completed, the processing team will be three and a quarter times the size it was in early November.

In addition to the recruitment of additional staff the Employment Permits Section is placing a particular focus on 'new' employment permit applications over renewal applications. It is important to note that once a Renewal application has been submitted within the period prescribed under Section 20(2) of the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended), see below, the non-EEA National can continue to work while the application is awaiting processing. Renewal applications will of course continue to be processed, however our focus will be directed at new applications in the main processing queue. Therefore, Renewal applications will have their own separate processing queue and timeline.

We will now be providing processing updates on our website for both New and Renewal applications:

Current processing dates for employment permits

We understand circumstances may arise whereby a non-EEA National may need to leave the State and would require their Renewal permit upon re-entering. In such a situation we would ask that the individual contact us immediately so that we can make appropriate arrangements to ensure their application is processed ahead of time.

The Employment Permits Regulations 2017 prescribe this period as: within the period of 4 months ending on the day of expiry of the period for which it has been granted (or for which it has last been renewed under that section), or within the period of 1 month after the expiry of that period.

Notice to employers regarding temporary extension of permissions announced on the 17 December 2021

24 December 2021

On 17 December 2021, Minister McEntee announced a further temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to the 31 May 2022, see Minister McEntee announces further temporary extension of immigration permissions (irishimmigration.ie).

This extension applies to permissions that are due to expire between 15 January 2022 and 31 May 2022 and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous temporary extensions.

This temporary extension of immigration permissions means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 31 May  2022, even if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are awaiting a new one. Renewal of the permission is on the same basis as the existing permission held and the same conditions will continue to apply. Those covered by the extension are entitled to remain, reside and work in the State if their previously granted permission allowed them to do so.

If your employee is required to hold an employment permit, they must check with the employment permits division of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the issuing of a new or renewed employment permit.

International students who have arrived in the State and who wish to engage in employment should be able to demonstrate to employers that they have a valid landing stamp in their passport indicating they are required to register as an international student for a Stamp 2 permission on an approved scheme under the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).

Prospective employees intending to take up employment under these arrangements should follow the link and print the notice and present it if requested by their employer.

Notice to Employers regarding temporary extension of permissions announced on the 17 December 2021 (irishimmigration.ie)


Department of Justice announces further temporary extension of immigration permissions

17 December 2021

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has announced a further temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 31 May 2022. This applies to permissions that are due to expire between 15 January 2022 and 31 May 2022 and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous eight temporary extensions since March 2020. Further details on the Freephone system will be available on irishimmigration.ie when the service begins. A new online booking system will also be launched early in 2022.

Customers in the State who are entitled to receive a new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card may continue to use their current expired card to enable them to depart from and return to Ireland in confidence over Christmas and until 15 January 2022. Adult customers who plan to travel abroad beyond 15 January 2022 should apply to renew their immigration permission and receive a new IRP card. Otherwise, they must secure a re-entry visa in Ireland before travelling or in an overseas visa office before returning. The current suspension of the re-entry visa requirement for any minors travelling with a legally resident parent or guardian, a measure which benefits up to 6,000 children and their families, will continue in line with the new extension until 31 May 2022.

The Department's immigration service is experiencing a high demand for services and the Minister and her officials continue to implement initiatives to deliver benefits for customers. Immigration staff are processing 1,000 first-time registrations every week in the Registration Office in Burgh Quay, which is the maximum allowed under current public health guidelines, and the office is open from Monday to Thursday 8am to 8.30 pm and Friday 8am to 6pm. Dublin-based customers can renew a permission online at inisonline.jahs.ie. Renewals outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory.

International Students

International English Language Students who have already completed the maximum number of three language courses may continue to work in line with the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) criteria until 31 May 2022 without enrolling in a further English language course. However, they must register for a new qualifying immigration permission by 31 May 2022 to ensure they can remain in the State after that date.

Procedure for employment permits for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) in Public Hospitals and Public Health Facilities: Two-Year Multi-Site General Employment Permit (GEP)

Effective from 11am, 6 December 2021

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. It is illegal for an individual requiring an employment permit to work without a current valid employment permit. Doctors are eligible for both a Critical Skills Employment Permit and a General Employment Permit and should apply for Critical Skills Employment Permit when their employment contract is of two years or longer.

In most cases the employer will submit an application on behalf of the prospective employee. When applying for an employment permit the employer must apply using the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). 

General Employment Permit applications for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHD) in the public hospitals and public health facilities made after 6 December 2021 should be made on a two-year multi-site basis, with the exception of 12 month internship. 

NCHD’s include:

  • Senior House Officer
  • Registrar
  • Senior Registrar
  • Specialist Registrar
  • Intern (but interns will still apply for a 12 month GEP)

General Employment Permit (GEP) applications

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Health have agreed that all General Employment Permits for NCHDs in public hospitals or public health facilities will be based on a two-year multi-site basis. All new General Employment Permits applications should be made for a 2 year basis, irrespective of the length of the initial employment contract. There will be no obligation on the employer to employ the NCHD for longer than the length of the initial employment contract. Subsequent employment contracts with a different Public hospital or Public health facility can be accommodated under this initial two-year Multi-site GEP without the requirement to seek a new Employment Permit. 

Process for applying for a Two-year Multi-site GEP (guide for NCHDs):

  • The first employer, that is, the initial Public hospital or Public health facility (which must have a Trusted Partner number) making the application on behalf of the NCHD, will make an application for a Two-year Multi-site GEP. 
  • An application for an employment permit must be made online through EPOS. Where possible, applications for employment permits should be received 12 weeks in advance of the proposed start date of the employment. 
  • When the Two-year Multi-site GEP is issued the NCHD usually needs to contact Immigration Service Delivery (ISD in the Department of Justice) for a ‘Permission to remain’. It is expected that a 12 month ‘Permission to remain’ will be issued initially.
  • At the expiry or extension of the initial employment contract the employer will confirm with DETE the expiry or extension of the contract of employment.
  • DETE will contact the NCHD to remind them that to ensure their GEP remains valid they must secure a new job as a NCHD in a Public hospital or Public health facility.
  • It is the responsibility of the NCHD to secure a further employment contract in a Public hospital or Public health facility.
  • If the NCHD secures further employment in a Public hospital or Public health facility, that organisation must inform DETE that they have offered the employment contract and confirm the details of their new employee, in advance of the employment starting. DETE will store the details of every contract. 
  • All subsequent employers (Public hospital or Public health facility) must contact DETE to provide the necessary details of the employment, in advance of the employment starting. 
  • 12 months after the initial Department of Justice ‘Permission to Remain’ was issued it will expire. At that point the NCHD needs to reapply to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD in the Department of Justice) for a new ‘Permission to Remain’. ISD will have access to DETE’s systems to see information on contracts completed and currently held by the NCHD to assist  them in this process.
  • If Immigration Service Delivery (ISD in the Department of Justice) refuses to issue a new ‘Permission to Remain’, they will inform DETE and the Employment Permit may be cancelled by DETE.
  • The Two-year Multi-site GEP is only for NCHDs working in public hospitals or public health facilities. If the NCHD holds such a position but wishes to take up an offer of employment in another type of organisation (for example, Private Hospitals, private practice) they will need to apply for a new General Employment Permit, or a Critical Skills Employment Permit (if the contract is for two years or longer).

It should be noted that once a permit has issued it is not possible to lengthen the time a permit is valid for.

Cancellation of Permit 

In accordance with section 24(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2006 should a non-EEA national, for whatever reason, cease to be employed by the employer (or the associated employers) during the period of validity of an employment permit the original permit and the employer’s certified copy must be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment within 4 weeks from the date of termination or cessation. Due to COVID-19, and as an interim measure, currently DETE will accept cancellations where it may not be possible to return the original or certified copy of the permit.   

Changes to Employment Permits Critical Skills, Ineligible Lists of Occupations and Quota’s

5 November 2021

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2021, Statutory Instrument SI No 559 of 2021, introduced the following changes as of 27 October 2021.

Revised Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations

Inclusion to the Critical Skills Occupations List. The following occupation has been included to the list:

  • Social Worker 

Ineligible Occupations. The following occupations were removed from the Ineligible List:

  • Dispensing Optician
  • Construction Sector Occupations
  • Electricians
  • Masons
  • Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
  • Plumbers and heating & ventilating engineers
  • Carpenters & Joiners
  • Floorers and wall tilers
  • Painters and Decorators
  • Construction and building trades supervisors 

Quota’s

It is important to note that in respect of all new Quotas established for General Employment Permit roles (that is, for Horticulture Operatives, Dairy Farm Assistants, Meat Deboners, Meat Processing Operatives, Hospitality Managers, Work Riders) as well as Construction sector roles now eligible for a GEP, a new Labour Market Needs Test must be undertaken from the date these changes take effect (27 October 2021). 

Please note if any amendments are made to the online advertisement and it is re-published, it must run for a further 28 days from the date the change/edit was made. Failure to run the advert unedited for a full 28 days will result in an invalid LMNT.  

  • Meat Processing Operative increased by 1,500
    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €22,000 and provision of both suitable accommodation and training (to include language training)
  • Meat Deboner increased by 500
    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €27,500 and provision of both suitable accommodation and training (to include language training)
  • Horticulture Operatives increased by 1000
  • New quota for Dairy Farm Assistants by 100
    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €30,000
    • No requirement regarding accommodation and training
  • New quota of 100 General Employment permits for Work Riders
  • New quota of 350 General Employment permits for Catering and Bar Managers, Hotel and Accommodation Managers, Restaurant and Catering Establishments Managers and Publicans and Managers of licensed premises with the requirement that the permit holder have the following:
    • A recognised relevant third level qualification in hospitality management and
    • 5 years’ experience in the role
  • Quota removed for HGV Driver
    • Minimum annual remuneration threshold of €30,000 

Minister English announces comprehensive changes to the employment permits system in Ireland - Skills and labour shortages in Construction, Logistics, Hospitality and Agri-food sectors are addressed

27 October 2021

Minister English has announced changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), following a comprehensive review by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The main changes include:

  • Most construction sector jobs now eligible for a General Employment Permit
  • Quota to be removed for HGV driver work permits
  • 350 General Employment Permits for hospitality managers
  • Social Workers to be eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit
  • Dispensing Opticians to be eligible for General Employment Permit
  • New General Employment Permit quotas for 1,000 Horticulture Operatives, 500 Meat Deboners, 1500 Meat Processing operatives and 100 Dairy Farm Assistants; with a strategic review of labour attraction and retention in the sector to follow
  • New General Employment Permit quota of 100 for Work Riders

The newly eligible roles within the construction sector are: 

  • Electricians
  • Masons
  • Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters
  • Plumbers and Heating & Ventilating Engineers
  • Carpenters & Joiners
  • Floorers and Wall Tilers
  • Painters and Decorators
  • Construction and Building Trades Supervisors

This now means that almost all occupations in the construction sector are eligible for a General Employment Permit.

Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain Sector

In support of supply chains and cognisant of the ongoing issues facing transport and logistic operators, exacerbated by Covid-19 and Brexit, Minister English has announced that any HGV drivers recruited from outside the EEA will be eligible for an employment permit without the limitation of a quota.  The quota has been in existence since 2017 and was extended previously in 2019. As of today, the quota is not yet fully used up so does not present an immediate constraint on labour supply.

Hospitality Sector

Businesses in the Hospitality sector in Ireland employed some 260,000 people prior to the pandemic.  They have suffered disproportionately from Covid-19 with unprecedented levels of temporary business closures and corresponding staff layoffs. Industry surveys from July identified significant vacancies, including at managerial levels. The Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group, chaired by Fáilte Ireland, collaborates on a number of initiatives to address labour supply and skills requirements in the sector and to help with recruitment and retention of staff.

Agri-food and Agriculture Sectors

Agri-food and Agriculture are experiencing unprecedented labour challenges due to the pandemic, in spite of initiatives to attract and retain staff and has identified significant unfilled vacancies prior to the reopening of international travel, the number which continues to increase with an attendant risk to supply chains and harvests.  Ireland is an outlier in Europe in not having a seasonal employment permit. While legislation proceeds to rectify this, these new quotas will assist the sector. 

Healthcare Sector

Changes already announced in June this year made the role of Social Worker eligible for a General Permit, however the sector has provided further evidence that availability of qualified Social Workers is still insufficient to meet demand. To address this immediate recruitment challenge and as part of this Department’s continued efforts to support the healthcare system, Minister English has announced that the role will now be made eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.

In addition, evidence indicates that there is a shortage of Dispensing Opticians, impacting on waiting lists. In response to evidence provided from the sector, the role of Dispensing Optician will, from today, be eligible for a General Employment Permit.

It is important to note that in respect of all new Quotas established for General Employment Permit roles (that is, for Horticulture Operatives, Dairy Farm Assistants, Meat Deboners, Meat Processing Operatives, Hospitality Managers, Work Riders) as well as Construction sector roles now eligible for a GEP, a new Labour Market Needs Test must be undertaken from the date these changes take effect (27 October 2021). 

Related press release: Minister Damien English announces comprehensive changes to the employment permits system in Ireland

Employment Permit Applications from non-EEA Nationals in possession of a Stamp 4 Immigration Permission

1 October 2021 

It is important to note that holders of a Stamp 4 Permission provided by the Department of Justice do not need an Employment Permit to be employed in the State.

Individuals in receipt of a Stamp 4 Permission who’s circumstances have changed, that is, family situation, employment status or completed studies should contact the Department of Justice’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in the first instance - My situation has changed since I arrived in Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)

 Where an application for an Employment Permit is submitted from a holder of a Stamp 4 Permission the following additional information may be required:

  An explanation as to why the non-EEA National is seeking to make an application for an employment permit

  • Details of the non-EEA National’s current immigration status and a history of their engagement with the Department of Justice including the efforts they have made to renew of their Stamp 4 permission, or to seek to switch to an alternative permission, that is, Stamp 1
  • Additional relevant information in support of the application 

When this information has been received the application will be assessed in line with the terms and conditions of the employment permit type.

Final notice regarding temporary extensions of immigration permissions

16 September 2021

The following announcement by the Department of Justice is in respect of a final temporary extension of immigration permissions to 15 January 2022. This applies to permissions that are due to expire between 21 September 2021 and 15 January 2022 and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous seven temporary extensions since March 2020. 

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would strongly advise that all holders of an immigration permission extended in line with this announcement should ensure that they submit any relevant employment permit application (renewal or new request) at the earliest opportunity. This should ensure their applications are processed prior to the 15 January 2022. We would advise all potential applicants to consult our current processing dates webpage for up to date information on latest processing times.  

Ministers Humphreys and Browne announce final temporary extension of immigration permissions

14 September 2021

  • For permissions due to expire between 21 September 2021 and 15 January 2022
  • Extension is the final one and applies to people with permissions extended under previous notices
  • For permissions registered by the Immigration Service in Dublin and An Garda Síochána nationwide 

The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys, and the Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, James Browne, announced a final temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 15 January 2022.

This applies to permissions that are due to expire between 21 September 2021 and 15 January 2022 and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous seven temporary extensions since March 2020.

Announcing the measure, Minister Humphreys said,

“I want to reassure people whose immigration permissions are due to expire shortly that your legal status in the country will continue to be maintained. To do this, I am introducing a final automatic extension to 15 January 2022 for anyone already holding a valid permission.”

“This extension will benefit those that have so far been unable to get an appointment to register a first time permission or have yet to renew an existing permission. However, I must emphasise that this will be the final temporary extension and I strongly encourage everyone to use the time between now and 15 January to make all efforts do so and not to wait until the last minute when demand may be high.”

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Browne said:

“This will give customers the necessary time to make arrangements with the Immigration Service in Dublin or An Garda Síochána outside Dublin to ensure that their immigration permission is registered or renewed in the normal way before 15 January 2022.”

“Customers can do so without the additional worry of falling out of permission in the meantime through no fault of their own. Everyone who is covered by this final temporary extension should either register or renew their permission by 15 January 2022 to ensure that they have a qualifying permission to remain in the State after that date, if that is their intention.”

This final temporary extension of immigration permissions means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 15 January 2022, even if  their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are awaiting a new one. Renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions will continue to apply. Special arrangements will, however, apply for international students, including English language students, as set out below.

The public registration office in Burgh Quay is open for appointments and Dublin-based customers can renew a permission online at inisonline.jahs.ie.

Renewals outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory.

International students

For international English Language Students, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) indicated in July that English language schools may resume in-person classes.

This extension of permissions will allow students on a Stamp 2 permission, who may have been unable to attend face-to-face classes during the pandemic, to attend in-person over the coming weeks.

Students who have already completed the maximum number of three language courses may continue to work in line with the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) criteria until 15 January 2022 without enrolling in a further English language course. However, they must register for a new qualifying immigration permission by 15 January 2022 to ensure they can remain in the State after that date.

The Department of Justice is currently considering whether adaptions to the current ILEP criteria may be required to protect the health of staff and students, such as the 85% attendance requirement if a student tests positive for COVID-19 or must self-isolate. Further information will be provided on this as soon as possible.

Third level graduates who hold a 1G permission but were unable to secure work during the pandemic may apply to the Department of Justice for a 12-month extension of that permission. Students on a Stamp 2 can apply to transfer to a Stamp 1G once they meet the conditions.

Applications can be made online and further information is available at irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Third-level-graduate-programme.pdf. 

Since 2 December 2020, customers renewing their permission are no longer required to submit their passport to have an immigration stamp attached by a Registration Office. Further details are available at irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission.

Update regarding Trusted Partner processing times

13 August 2021

We would like to take the opportunity to update you in relation to our current processing timeframes. Over the past number of weeks and months we have seen the processing times move out in respect of Trusted Partner applications which has been driven by a number of factors. Of course, when set against other international employment permit regimes, we compare extremely favourably, even at current processing times. However, the Employment Permits Unit are very conscious of the recent lengthening of our trusted partner timeframes and is committed to reducing them further. We have already taken steps to address the current backlog which we are confident will bear fruit over the coming weeks. We very much appreciate your understanding and support as we work through this process.

Temporary reopening of the Quota for Meat Processing Operatives

 3 August 2021

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has been advised that due to a number of factors a small number of employment permits which issued under the quota scheme for meat processing operatives were not taken up.  As a result the Department has cancelled these permits and has decided to temporarily reopen the meat processing operatives quota so that these unused employment permits can be redistributed on a first come basis. 

Changes to Employment Permits Critical Skills and Ineligible Lists of Occupations

18 June 2021

The Employment Permits (Amendment) Regulations 2021, Statutory Instrument No. SI 286 of 2021, introduced the following changes as of 14 June 2021.

Revised Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations

Inclusion to the Critical Skills Occupations List. The following occupation has been included to the list:

  • Dietician 

The Critical Skills Occupations List can be found here: Critical Skills Occupations List

Ineligible Occupations. The following occupations were removed from the Ineligible List:

  • Social Worker
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Health Care Assistant:
    • A minimum remuneration threshold salary of at least €27,000 
    • When applying for a renewal employment permit – Health Care Assistant should have attained a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification after two years employment in the State 

The Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits can be found here: Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits 

 

Important notice regarding the temporary changes to Ireland's Visa requirements and employment permit regime

20 May 2021

With immediate effect, the Department of Justice are now including ‘people travelling for business/employment purposes and granted an employment permit by Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to meet an enterprise’s key business ’ among the categories for whom they have recommenced accepting and processing visa applications.

As a result of these new arrangements, the Employment Permits Section will no longer need to seek information as to the criticality of the employment permit application prior to processing.

Full details on the updated Visa Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office is available at the following link – http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visas-updates

All employees traveling to the State for employment/business purposes will be required to adhere to all public health measures including mandatory hotel quarantine as required.

Any queries regarding the processing of visa applications should be directed to the Department of Justice.

Employment Permits Section
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Submitting documents to Employment Permits Section

12 May 2021

In line with public health advice, all staff are working remotely, and we currently have no physical presence in our office. Applicants are asked not to send any applications or documents by post as we may not be able to receive and process these.

Please be advised that the Employment Permits Section are accepting all correspondence electronically.

The relevant mailbox to send documents are as follows:

Trusted Partner applications (new/renewal) - trustedpartner@enterprise.gov.ie 

EFT Mandate Forms - EPMS@enterprise.gov.ie  

Stamp 4 (Applications only) - EPStamp4@enterprise.gov.ie

Review of Decisions (Applications only) - EPReviews@enterprise.gov.ie

Surrender of Permits/Notification of Redundancy/Cancellation of Permits - EPMS@enterprise.gov.ie

 

Important notice regarding temporary changes to Ireland's Visa requirements and employment permit regime

The Department of Justice has recently announced new temporary measures as part of the Government's efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures include an announcement that the Department is to impose new Visa requirements on passport holders from a number of countries in South America and South Africa and that it is also to temporarily cease accepting new Visa / preclearance applications from all relevant countries except certain priority/emergency situations listed.

Certain Priority / Emergency cases will continue to be processed and these include the following:

  • workers or self-employed persons exercising critical occupations including healthcare workers, frontier and posted workers as well as seasonal workers as referred to in the Guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during the COVID-19 outbreak;
  • transport workers or transport service providers, including drivers of freight vehicles carrying goods for use in the territory as well as those merely transiting;
  • patients travelling for imperative medical reasons;
  • pupils, students, and trainees who travel abroad on a daily basis and Third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of 3rd level study;
  • persons travelling for imperative family or business reasons;
  • diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and police officers, and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions;
  • passengers in transit;
  • seafarers;
  • journalists, when performing their duties.

The Department intends to resume accepting applications as soon as safety concerns abate. Full details on a the above can be found on the Department of Justice website at the following link: inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visas-updates

There may be mandatory quarantine periods for individuals travelling to Ireland from other countries, please check the latest advice (at bottom of page) for further information.

These new temporary arrangements will affect some employment permit holders or applications.

Employment permit applications from a visa required country

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is continuing to process applications for employment permits. However, given the new temporary visa arrangements, it may not be possible for individuals from visa required countries to travel to the State at this time unless the individual qualifies as one of the priority/emergency situations as listed above. As such, a new process is being implemented whereby all employment permit applicants (employers and employees) for passport holders from visa required countries will be contacted and asked if they would like to:

  • Proceed with the application as it is considered that the role is on the priority/emergency list.
  • Hold application in the employment permit processing queue for processing at a later date, when the temporary Visa arrangements have been rescinded.
  • Withdraw the application with a full refund provided.

Employment permit applications for a non-visa required country

Employment Permit applications for non-visa required countries will continue to be processed. The advice from the Department of Justice is that everyone, regardless of their nationality or visa/preclearance status, or where they started from, who cannot provide proof of an essential purpose to travel to or within Ireland, should not travel to Ireland. We are advised that people traveling to Ireland will be asked about the nature of their journey when they arrive in the State.

Employment Permits Section, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 8 February 2021.

Update on Quota for Deboners

1 February 2021 

The Employment Permits Regulations 2017, Statutory Instrument No 333 of 2019, set a maximum quota of 300 General Employment Permits for Meat Deboners. This quota has now been filled. 

Please do not submit new applications for Meat Deboners at this time.

Important notices regarding the printing of employment permits

8 January 2021

In advance of reading this notice please be assured that the contingency arrangements (link at bottom of notice) introduced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment back in March 2020 will continue in full for the foreseeable future and the Department will continue to issue the electronic version of the employment permit to employees / employers / agents. There is no change to this current process.

As a result of the country operating under Level 5 of the "Plan for Living with COVID-19", the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has taken the decision to pause the printing of employment permits granted since March 2020 (which have already issued electronically but were not printed due to COVID-19). To be clear, all employment permit permissions will continue to issue electronically (as they have since March 2020), it is only the printing of these already issued permissions that is being paused.

Any future changes regarding this decision will be communicated to stakeholders.

The Department's Employment Permits Contingency Arrangements continue to be in effect in full.

Any queries relating to the printing of permits should be emailed to the dedicated mailbox which has been set up to deal specifically with such queries. The email address for this mailbox is EPPrintingqueries@enterprise.gov.ie. Please allow 3-5 working days for a response.

8 December 2020

In advance of reading this notice please be assured that the contingency arrangements (link at bottom of notice) introduced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment back in March 2020 will continue in full for the foreseeable future and the Department will continue to issue the electronic version of the employment permit to employees/employers/agents. There is no change to this current process.

The Employment Permits Section will this week commence the printing of Employment Permits granted since March 2020 which were issued electronically but not printed due to COVID-19. Employment Permits will be printed in date order from when the application was received by this Department. Both the original and certified copies of the permits concerned will be printed. The original permit will be addressed to the permit holder and sent to their employer/agent who is then asked to ensure that the employee receives the original permit. The certified copy will be sent separately to the employer/agent to be retained.

Permits that have expired or been cancelled since being issued electronically in March or permits that will expire before the end of January 2021 will not be printed. Please note it is anticipated that it will take a few months to clear the existing backlog and any further updates will be published on the 'Latest Updates' section of our website.

You are not required to do anything after receipt of this notice, the purpose of which is to inform you that the printing of the backlog of electronically issued employment permits is beginning and we will post out the permit(s) relevant to you in the coming months.

Full details on the Contingency Arrangements: Employment Permits Contingency Arrangements

Finally, a dedicated mailbox has been set up to deal specifically with queries in relation to the printing of the backlog of the permits. The email address for the new mailbox is EPPrintingqueries@enterprise.gov.ie. Please allow 3-5 working days for a response if emailing a query to this address.

Submitting documents to Employment Permits Section

3 December 2020

In line with public health advice, all staff are working remotely, and we currently have no physical presence in our office. Applicant are asked not to send any applications or documents by post as we are unable to receive and process these.

Please be advised that the Employment Permits Section are accepting all correspondents electronically.

The relevant mailbox to send documents are as follows:

Trusted Partner applications (New/Renewal) - trustedpartner@enterprise.gov.ie

EFT Mandate Forms - EPMS@enterprise.gov.ie

Stamp 4 (Applications Only) - EPStamp4@enterprise.gov.ie

Review of Decisions (Applications Only) - EPReviews@enterprise.gov.ie

Surrender of Permits/ Notification of Redundancy/ Cancellation of Permits - EPMS@enterprise.gov.ie

Further information can be found in our COVID-19 Employment Permits System Contingency Arrangements.

COVID-19 Employment Permits System Contingency Arrangements

3 December 2020

The Department's contingency plan sets out to ensure that the Employment Permits system will continue to operate in all scenarios for the duration of the crisis:

COVID-19 Employment Permits System Contingency Arrangements

The main points of the Contingency plan are:

  • Electronic (PDF) copy of permit will issue by email;
  • Employment Permits Section will facilitate the changing of start dates to applications that have been received but yet to be processed;
  • 100% refund if applications are withdrawn, before they are processed, if withdrawal is as a result of the crisis
  • Applications for Stamp 4 Letters of Support can be submitted electronically; and
  • Applications to review a decision of an employment permit can be submitted electronically.


Update on Quota for Dairy Farm Assistants

13 November 2020

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, Statutory Instrument No. 333 of 2019, set a maximum quota of 101 General Employment Permits for Dairy Farm Assistants.

This quota has now been filled. Applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected. Please do not submit new applications for Dairy Farm Assistants at this time.

Update on Quota for Horticultural Workers

13 November 2020

The Employment Permits (Amendment) Regulations 2018, Statutory Instrument No. 163 of 2018, set a maximum quota of 500 General Employment Permits for Horticulture Workers.

This quota has now been filled. Applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected. Please do not submit new applications for Horticulture Workers at this time.

Update on Quota for Meat Processing Operatives

25 August 2020

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018, Statutory Instrument No. 163 of 2018, set a maximum quota of 1,500 General Employment Permits for Meat Processing Operatives.

This quota has now been filled. As such, no further permits are being issued at this moment.

Update on Quota for Horticulture Workers, Dairy Farm Assistants, Meat Processing Operatives and Deboners

2 July 2020

Horticulture Workers

The Employment Permits (Amendment) Regulations 2018, Statutory Instrument No 163 of 2018, set a maximum quota of 500 General Employment Permits for Horticulture Workers.

This quota has now been filled. Applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected. Please do not submit new applications for Horticulture Workers at this time.

Dairy Farm Assistants

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2019, Statutory Instrument No 333 of 2019, set a maximum quota of 101 General Employment Permits for Dairy Farm Assistants

This quota has almost been filled. When the quota has been filled applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected. Please do not submit new applications for Dairy Farm Assistants at this time.

Meat Processing Operatives

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2018, Statutory Instrument No 163 of 2018, set a maximum quota of 1,500 General Employment Permits for Meat Processing Operatives, quota increased by 1,000 on 1/1/20

This quota has almost been filled. When the quota has been filled applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected. Please do not submit new applications for Meat Processing Operatives at this time. 

Deboners

The Employment Permits Regulations 2017, Statutory Instrument No 333 of 2019, set a maximum quota of 300 General Employment Permits for Meat Deboners.

There are a limited number of Employment Permits available before the quota is filled. When the quota has been filled applications remaining in the processing queue will be rejected.

New procedures for applications to seek a Review of an Employment Permit Decision and Stamp 4 Letters of Support

31 March 2020

Effective immediately, Employment Permits will be accepting applications to seek a review of an employment permit decision and applications for a Stamp 4 letter of support electronically.

Review of Employment Permit Decisions

New electronic procedures for applications for reviews of employment permit decisions have been put in place. Applications for reviews should now be submitted by filling out the required form and emailing it to EPReviews@enterprise.gov.ie.

Decisions will be communicated to applicants by way of email correspondence.

The application form to request a review can be found here: Submission of a decision for review under section 13 or 17 of the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended)

Stamp 4 Letters of Support

Applications for Stamp 4 letters of support should now be submitted by filling out the required form and emailing it to EPStamp4@enterprise.gov.ie.

Any decision on an application, including the grant letter, will be communicated to the applicant by way of email. Applications that have been made by post in the last few days, can be resubmitted through the online process.

The application form to request a Stamp 4 letter of support can be found here: Request for Support Letter for Green Card/Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders seeking a “Stamp 4”

 

Changes to Employment Permits Critical Skills and Ineligible Lists of Occupations and other technical amendments

1 January 2020

The Employment Permits (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 2019, Statutory Instrument No 633 of 2019, introduced the following changes as of 1 January 2020:

Levels of Remuneration for Critical Skills Employment Permits

In order to reach the eligibility criteria to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, the position on offer must be listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the foreign national must have at least a relevant 3rd level degree qualification where the minimum annual remuneration is between €32,000 and €63,999.

Where the position is not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List or on the Ineligible List of Occupations or where the position is listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the foreign national does not have a relevant 3rd Level Degree qualification, the minimum annual remuneration required to be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment is at least €64,000.

Further information on Critical Skill Employment Permits

Revised Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations

Inclusions to the Critical Skills Occupations List – Following a comprehensive consultation process, a revised Critical Skills Occupations List was published. The following occupations have been included to the list:

  • Site Manager
  • Structural / Site Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineers (without specialist skills)
  • Electrical Engineers (without specialist skills)
  • Setting Out Engineer
  • Façade Designer
  • Architect
  • Architectural Technologists

The Critical Skills Occupations List can be found here: Critical Skills Occupations List

Ineligible Occupations – As part of the consultation process, a revised list of ineligible roles was published. The following occupations were removed from the Ineligible List:

  • Commis Chef (with two years’ experience)
  • Construction Safety Manager
  • Civil and Structural Engineering Technicians
  • Architectural Technician
  • Draughtspersons
  • Construction Safety Officers
  • Foreman

This Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits can be found here: Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits

Labour Market Needs Test

Any employment permit application where a Labour Market Needs Test is required MUST have published a EURES ad for at least 28 days BEFORE a valid application can be submitted.  Further information on the Labour Market Needs Test is available at the following link: Labour Market Needs Test

Sector Specific Changes

Health – Nurses registered with the NMBI and who have achieved a Diploma level qualification can now apply for a Critical Skill Employment Permit.

Catering – The quota of Employment Permits applying to all roles of eligible Chef grades is now removed and the limit on the number of Employment Permits that may be in force in one establishment for all roles of eligible Chef grades has also been removed.

Transport – Quota on the number of Employment Permits issued to the role of Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers has been increased by 200.

Food Manufacturing – Quota on the number of Employment Permits issued to the role of Meat processing Operative has been increased by 1000.

Update on Quota for Chefs

19 November 2019

The Employment Permits (Amendment) Regulations 2018 Statutory Instrument No 70 of 2018, amending the Employment Permits Regulations 2017, commenced on 26 March 2018.

This amendment removed certain chef grades from the Ineligible Categories of Employment List, subject to a quota of 610 employment permits.

Please note that this quota is now exhausted, and new employment permits for Chefs can no longer issued.

This will not affect the renewal of existing employment permits for Chefs.

Changes to Employment Permits Critical Skills and Ineligible Lists of Occupations and other technical amendments

3 April 2019

From 22 April 2019, new employment permits regulations will come into existence. The regulations include changes to the Critical Skills and Ineligible Lists of Occupations (formerly the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List and Ineligible Categories of Employment List), as well as other technical amendments.

Changes to the Critical Skills Occupations List

The following occupations will be added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and will be eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit from 22 April 2019:

  • Civil Engineers
  • Quantity Surveyors
  • Construction Project Managers
  • Mechanical and Electrical Engineers with BIM expertise
  • High Performance Directors and Coaches for high-level sports organisations (where employment as a High-Performance Director or Coach is in a national or high-profile sports organisations engaging in international competition).

A checklist document to assist with the application process has been prepared and can be found at Critical Skills Employment Permit Checklist (PDF document)

Further information on Critical Skills Employment Permits

Make an online application

When making the application, please refer to our User Guide which can assist you step-by-step through the process: EPOS User Guide (PDF document)

Changes to the Ineligible Lists of Occupations

The following occupations will be removed from the Ineligible Occupations List and will be eligible for a General Employment Permit:

  • Sheet metal workers
  • Welding trades
  • Pipefitters
  • Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineers
  • Shuttering Carpenters
  • Glaziers, window fabricators & fitters
  • Scaffolders, stagers & riggers
  • Crane drivers
  • Transport and Distribution Clerks and Assistants (Freight Forwarders; Cargo & Freight Agents; Brokerage Clerks) subject to a quota of 300
  • Plasterers subject to a quota of 250
  • Bricklayers subject to a quota of 250

As an employment permit for each of these occupations is subject to a Labour Market Needs Test being carried out (see below for more information) the earliest date that a valid application can be received is 6 May 2019.

All normal criteria for General Employment Permit applications will apply.

Further information on General Employment Permits

A Labour Market Needs Test must be carried out prior to application. 

A checklist document to assist with the application process has been prepared and can be found at General Employment Permit Checklist (PDF document)

Make an online application

When making the application, please refer to our User Guide which can assist you step-by-step through the process: EPOS User Guide (PDF document)

To make a manual application please send an email to EPforms@enterprise.gov.ie requesting an application form.

Other technical amendments

Changes to provide for the new Revenue Commissioners PAYE Modernisation Initiative:

Revenue documentation that will now be required:

  • P30 or receipt for such return or a statement issued by Revenue Commissioners showing the monthly statutory return made by the employer dated within the 3-month period preceding the application.
  • P60/Employment Detail Summary or a copy of or electronic access to an end of year income statement compiled by the Revenue Commissioners; demonstrating the foreign national employment history where applicable, and where necessary for each year that he or she has been employment pursuant to the employment permit or if not available a P21 issued in respect of the permit holder.
  • The P45 issued or evidence of the employment record held by the Revenue Commissioners indicating the end date of the employment following the foreign national’s redundancy.

Changes to the criteria for Chef employment permits

A change to criteria applying to the current chef quota will enable employers to replace permit holder employees who leave their employment prior to the expiry of the permit. This has now been changed to no more than two General Employment Permits for Chefs may be in force at the same time in respect of employment in a particular establishment, rather than to permits granted.

A second change is to recognise the total years’ experience gained by an applicant in any grade of chef rather than limiting their experience in one specific chef grade.

Change to Eligibility of Career Guidance Teachers

Secondary schools will be able to access career guidance teachers through the employment permits system, in the same way as other secondary teachers.

Ministers Humphreys and Flanagan announce change to immigration arrangements for spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders and Researchers under a Hosting Agreement

6 March 2019

Change to give immediate and full access to the Irish Labour Market without the need for an employment permit

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality, announced that the spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers under a Hosting Agreement as provided for under the EU Third Country Researchers Directive (Council Directive 2005/71/EC) will be able to access the Irish labour market without the need to obtain an employment permit. This change will streamline existing processes and result in a more attractive offering for both investors and international talent.

Revised Immigration Arrangements for the Spouses and De-Facto Partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) Holders and Researchers Under a Hosting Agreement

The requirement for spouses and de-facto partners to obtain an employment permit has now been removed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) will grant eligible spouses and de-facto partners of CSEP holders and Researchers under a Hosting Agreement permission to reside in this State on Stamp 1 Conditions which provides direct access to the labour market without the need to obtain an employment permit.

For more information, please go to INIS website where further information can be found at INIS FAQs (PDF document).

 

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