How to apply for Ireland work permit?

Many individuals looking for an overseas career are looking at Ireland as an option. Apart from this, working and living in Ireland gives free access to the European Union.  Another advantage is that those who live in Ireland for five years can subsequently apply for citizenship.

 

Job opportunities are expected to multiply in Ireland because multinationals are looking at Ireland as an option to set up a business-post the Brexit implementation. They consider the country as a suitable base to establish their presence in the EU.

 

Watch video: Ireland Work Permit - How to apply?

 

Work visa for Ireland

If you wish to have an overseas career in Ireland, you must be aware of the visa requirements. If you are from a non-EU country, you must have a work permit before going to Ireland for work.  There are two types of work permits:

1. Ireland General Employment Permit
2. Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit

1. Ireland General Employment Permit 

This permit allows you to work in a job that pays at least 30,000 Euros in Ireland. Before applying for the visa, you will need to have a job offer. You can apply for this visa, or your employer can. Your job tenure should be two years or more. To apply for this visa, you must have a degree relevant to the job for which you were selected.

 

This visa is issued for two years and can be extended for a further three years. After five years on this work permit, you can apply for long term residence in the country.

 

2. Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit

This is a work permit depends on the job offer. You are entitled provided that your work pays you 600,000 pounds per year, or at least 300,000 pounds per year if your position is on the Highly Qualified Occupations List in Ireland. Either you or your employer can apply for Ireland Work Permit visa.

 

The validity of this permit is two years. Your employment contract must mention that you will be employed for a minimum of two years. After two years immigrants can apply for Stamp 4 with which you can live and work in Ireland permanently.

 

Labor Market Needs test

Both these work permits must pass the Labor Market Needs test before they are approved. The employer has to prove that the job position was given to EEA employees, and when no suitable applicant was found, the position was offered to an immigrant.

 

Eligibility requirements for Ireland work permit

• You must have either a work contract or a job offer from an Irish company.
• Your employer has to pass the Labor Markets Needs Test
• For any other type of Ireland work permit except the General Employment Permit, Critical Skills Employment Permit, the annual minimum salary must meet the National Minimum Wage.
• The Irish company willing to hire you must have at least 50% of the employers belonging to EU or EEA nations.

Requirements for visa application

• Copy of your passport
• Passport-size photo in accordance with photo specifications in Ireland
• A copy of the work contract you and the employer signed
• If at the time of application you are a resident of Ireland, have a copy of your registered immigration stamp
• Copy of IDA / Enterprise Ireland's Letter of Support where appropriate
• Your employer information, such as company registration number, address, name and certificates from approved bodies
• Your job specifics, such as pay, work obligations, tasks and length

Submission of visa application

An Irish work permit application may be submitted either by you (the international employee) or by your employer.

 

When you are moving from foreign business to that company's Irish branch (intra-company transfer), your employer in your home country can also submit the application on your behalf.

 

 You (or your employer) have to submit the application for an Ireland work permit online through EPOS, the Employment Permits Online System.