Work Permits for Non EU or EEA Nationals

In general, non-EEA nationals must have a permit to work in Ireland. EEA and Swiss Nationals do not need an employment permit, except for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.

Under the Employment Permits Act 2003 and the Employment Permits Act 2006 there are 4 types of employment permits:

  • Work permits
  • Green Card permits
  • Spousal/dependant work permits
  • Intra-company transfer permits

Note: the EEA (European Economic Area) consists of the EU member states together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Work permits – main features

  • Work permits are available for occupations with an annual salary of €30,000 or more
  • Work permits for jobs with an annual salary below €30,000 will only be considered in exceptional cases
  • Work permits will not be considered for occupations listed as ineligible for work permits
  • A work permit is granted for 2 years initially, and then for a further 3 years. After 5 years you may no longer need a work permit
  • A labour market needs test is required with all work permit applications
  • Either the employer or employee can apply for the employment permit, based on an offer of employment
  • It will be granted to the employee and will include a statement of the employee’s rights and entitlements
  • The employer is prohibited from deducting recruitment expenses from the employee’s pay or retaining the employee’s personal documents

Once you have been issued with an employment permit you have all the employment rights of Irish or EU citizens for the duration of the employment permit.

Changes to new work permit applications from 1 June 2009

There are changes to eligibility for work permits for those who are applying for a work permit for the first time on or after 1 June 2009. These changes do not apply to those who have already been granted a work permit or who apply for a work permit before 1 June 2009. In addition the changes do not apply to Romanian or Bulgarian nationals.

See www.citizensinformation.ie for more details.

Working Visa and Work Authorisation Scheme

For certain skills categories you may be eligible to apply for a Working Visa or Work Authorisation through an Irish Embassy or Consulate. This makes it possible for prospective employees with job offers from employers in Ireland to obtain immigration and employment clearance in advance from Irish Embassies and Consulates.

See www.dfa.ie for more in-depth details.

Working Holiday Authorisation Visa

There are reciprocal agreements between Ireland and Australia, Ireland and New Zealand and Ireland and Canada, whereby young people from those countries can visit the other country for an extended period (up to 12 months) and also engage in employment as incidental aspect of their holiday in order to supplement their travel. The Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) can only be issued once and may not be renewed. Applications are accepted in Australia by the Irish Embassy in Canberra and the Consulate-General of Ireland in Sydney; in New Zealand the applications are accepted by the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Auckland; and in Canada by the Irish Embassy in Ottawa.

The scheme does not apply for citizens of any other country.

Visa

Citizens of certain countries require an entry visa for Ireland. Please refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website to ascertain if you require an entry visa, www.dfa.ie. If you do require an entry visa you must apply for it before you travel to and enter Ireland. Visa applications should be made to the Irish Embassy or Consulate in or accredited to the country in which you normally reside. If there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in your country of permanent residence or home State, you may make the application at your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate or direct to the Visa Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Please note that, although applications may be made through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the decision on visa applications will be made by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Apply for your visa well in advance and allow 6 – 8 weeks for your application to be processed if you are applying from abroad.

Social Security Contributions

When you work in Ireland, you are required to pay certain taxes as well as contributions to national social security funds. These include the national pension fund, unemployment and health contributions. Find out more…

National Taxes

Compared to the other European countries, taxes in Ireland are rather high. Ireland, however, scores in the top rankings in international quality of life studies – ahead of countries such as Britain, Canada, France and Singapore. (Source: UN Human Development Indices 2013.) Find out more…

IRL

Search