Learn the full process for applying for an Ireland work visa and permit, including essential requirements, application steps, and guidelines for international workers.
Find out how to apply for an Ireland work visa, the different types of employment permits available, and key information on work permit application requirements.
Ireland Work Visa and Permit: Complete Step-by-Step Application Guide for International Workers.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national who intends to work in Ireland, you must obtain permission from the Irish immigration authorities. This permission comes in the form of an Ireland work permit.
Additionally, depending on your nationality, you may need an Ireland work visa to enter the country legally.
This comprehensive guide will cover the application process, requirements, and the different types of work permits and visas available for those looking to work in Ireland.
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Am I Required to Obtain an Irish Work Visa?
Whether or not you need an Irish work visa depends on your nationality. Citizens from visa-subject countries must apply for a work visa in addition to the work permit.
However, even if you are not required to have a visa, all non-EU/EEA nationals must still go through Irish Border Control and request permission to enter from the immigration officers.
Types of Ireland Work Permits and Visas
Ireland offers several employment permits, each tailored to different job sectors and personal circumstances.
The two most common permits are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, but other types are available as well. Here’s a breakdown of the available permits:
1. Critical Skills Employment Permit
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed for highly skilled international workers. This permit aims to attract professionals who can fill skill shortages in key industries such as Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Healthcare, Teaching, and others. Irish employers hiring eligible workers for this permit do not need to conduct a Labour Markets Needs Test, which assesses whether an EU/EEA citizen could fill the position.
2. General Employment Permit
The General Employment Permit is for occupations that do not qualify under the Critical Skills category. This type of permit allows you to work in Ireland as long as your profession is not listed under the “Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits.” Unlike the Critical Skills Employment Permit, employers must pass a Labour Markets Needs Test for this permit.
3. Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
This permit is issued to the spouses, partners, or other dependents of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder. It allows dependents to work in any profession, even those ineligible for regular employment permits, except for domestic operations. The application for this permit is free.
4. Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit is for workers employed in a foreign branch of a company who want to transfer to its Irish branch. It is available to senior management, key personnel, or trainees.
5. Internship Employment Permit
The Internship Employment Permit allows full-time foreign students enrolled in a third-level educational institution outside of Ireland to come to Ireland for work experience. This permit is valid for 12 months and is non-renewable.
6. Contract for Services Employment Permit
This permit is for foreign workers still employed by a foreign company but who come to Ireland to work on a contract awarded to their employer by an Irish national.
7. Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
The Sport and Cultural Employment Permit is issued to foreign nationals with unique skills or qualifications that contribute to the development of Ireland’s sports or cultural sectors.
8. Exchange Agreement Employment Permit
Foreign nationals coming to Ireland under international exchange programs like The Fulbright Programme or The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) are eligible for this permit.
9. Reactivation Employment Permit
Former Employment Permit holders who lost their right to work in Ireland due to circumstances beyond their control, such as exploitation or abuse, may apply for the Reactivation Employment Permit to regain their right to work.
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Steps to Apply for an Ireland Work Permit
Before applying for a work visa, you must first secure an Ireland work permit. The steps to apply for a work permit are as follows:
- Eligibility Check: Confirm that you and your employer meet the eligibility criteria for the work permit you are applying for.
- Submission of Application: The application can be submitted by either the applicant (you) or the employer via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). It must be completed within 28 days.
- Document Submission: Essential documents, including a valid passport, work contract, and evidence of qualifications, must be submitted electronically.
- Fee Payment: The Ireland work permit processing fee must be paid online using a credit or debit card.
Processing times for Ireland employment permits usually take about 13 weeks.
Ireland work permit document checklist
You also have to attach several documents to the online application system when applying for your Ireland work permit. The documents change depending on the permit you are applying for, but include:
- A copy of your passport, which shows your picture, signature, and personal details.
- The passport-size picture is in line with Ireland’s photo requirements.
- A copy of the work contract signed by you and the employer.
- If you are a resident in Ireland at the time of application, a copy of your current immigration stamp.
- Details of a contact person: name, position in the company, phone number and email address.
- Relevant Registration/PIN or License number of the company issued by the appropriate Irish Regulatory bodies or Government Ministers.
- A copy of the letter of support from IDA/Enterprise Ireland, if applicable.
- Details of your employer, such as company registration number, address, name, and relevant certificates from authorized bodies.
- Details of your employment, such as your salary, work responsibilities, duties, and duration.
Ireland Work Visa Application Process
Once you have secured an employment permit, the next step is to apply for a work visa if you are from a visa-subject country. Here are the steps:
- Complete the Visa Application Form: The Ireland work visa application form is completed online via AVATS.
- Gather Supporting Documents: You will need several supporting documents, including a valid passport, proof of accommodation, medical insurance, and a work contract.
- Pay the Visa Fee: A visa application fee must be paid, and the typical processing time for an Ireland work visa is around eight weeks.
Ireland Work Visa Requirements
The following documents are necessary for your work visa application:
- Ireland work visa application form.
- Your valid passport.
- Photos are in accordance with Ireland’s photo requirements.
- Proof of paid work visa fees.
- Proof of legal residence in the country from which you are applying.
- A letter that explains that your purpose of travel is to gain employment.
- Evidence that you have accommodation in Ireland. If your employer is providing you with accommodation, state the accommodation details.
- Details of previous visas (if applicable).
- Proof of sufficient funds is provided in the form of bank statements from the previous six months.
- The bank statements have to be on headed paper from the bank.
- They must show your name, address, account number and account type.
- They must show all transactions from the last six months. If there are any large or unusual transactions, provide an explanation.
- Proof you will return to your country.
- A self-addressed, pre-paid envelope.
- Your Employment Permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.
- Your work contract or details of the job offer.
- A letter from your employer in Ireland, which:
- Confirms they have employed you and state the details of your employment and the work you will do.
- States the salary you will receive.
- Proof of qualifications (such as educational certificates or other qualifications).
- Details of previous work experience.
- Proof of medical insurance. You must take out private medical insurance in Ireland, which covers at least €25,000 for cases of accidents, disease, and hospitalization.
Ireland Residence Permit
Once you enter Ireland with a valid work visa, you must apply for a residence permit if your stay exceeds 90 days.
Registration with Irish immigration authorities is required either in Dublin or at the nearest registration office.
You will receive a stamp in your passport indicating your permission to remain and work in the country.
Ireland Work Visa Duration and Renewal
The work visa itself is valid for a maximum of 90 days. However, the employment permits typically last for two years, with the possibility of renewal for up to five years.
After five years of continuous employment, you may apply for permanent residency.
Path to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
After working in Ireland with an employment permit for five consecutive years, you can apply for permanent residence.
Additionally, you may qualify for Irish citizenship after five out of nine years of “reckonable residence” in the country, provided you meet all other necessary criteria.
FAQs – Ireland Work Visa and Permit Application Process.
1. Do I need a work visa if I am from a non-EU/EEA country?
Yes, if you are from a visa-subject country, you will need both a work visa and a work permit.
2. How long does it take to process an Ireland work permit?
The processing time for an Ireland work permit is typically 13 weeks.
3. Can my employer submit the work permit application on my behalf?
Yes, the application can be submitted by either the employer or the employee.
4. How long is an Ireland work visa valid for?
The Ireland work visa is valid for up to 90 days, while the employment permit can be renewed for up to five years.
5. What is the minimum salary requirement for a work permit in Ireland?
For the Critical Skills Employment Permit, the minimum salary must be between €30,000 and €80,000, depending on the occupation.
6. Can I apply for permanent residence after five years of working in Ireland?
Yes, after five years of continuous employment in Ireland, you can apply for permanent residency.