If you are a non-EEA national and you want to get a job in Ireland – then you must have an employment permit. In October 2014, the rules on Irish Work Permits changed . They are now known as Employment Permits and there are now 9 different types – with separate application forms for each type.
General Employment Permit
General Employment Permits (formerly work permits) are available for occupations in Ireland with an annual pay of €30,000 or more. They will only be considered in exceptional cases for jobs with a lower annual salary . Normally, a labour market needs test is required.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Critical Skills Employment Permits (formerly Green Card permits) are available for most occupations with annual pay of over €60,000. They are also available for occupations with annual remuneration of at least €30,000 on the Highly Skilled Occupations List. There is no requirement for a labour market needs test.
Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
Theae permits apply to spouses, recognised partners, civil partners and dependants of holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits or existing Green Card permits or researchers under a hosting agreement. There is no requirement for a labour market needs test.
Reactivation Employment Permit
Reactivation Employment Permits allow foreign nationals who entered the State on a valid employment permit but who fell out of the system through no fault of their own, or have been badly treated or exploited in the workplace, to work again.
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits allow senior management, key personnel and trainees working in an overseas branch of a multi-national company to transfer to the Irish branch. They must be earning at least €40,000 a year (trainees must be earning at least €30,000 a year) and have been working for the company for a minimum of 12 months.
Contract for Services Employment Permits are for foreign undertakings with a contract to provide services to an Irish entity. These permits allow the transfer of non-EEA employees to work on the Irish contract in Ireland while remaining on an employment contract outside the State. Generally, a labour market needs test is required.
Internship Employment Permits are available to non-EEA national full-time students who are enrolled in a third-level institution outside Ireland and have a work experience job offer in Ireland.
Sport and Cultural Employment Permits are available for employment in the development, operation and capacity of sporting and cultural activities.
Exchange Agreement Employment Permits apply to those employed in Irelande under prescribed agreements, for example, the Fulbright Program for researchers and academics.
Applications for Work Permits in Ireland can now be made online HERE