Employment Permits for Ireland

Why: If you are from a country that is outside the European Economic Area (the EU, plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein), the UK or Switzerland, you need permission to work in Ireland. In most cases, this means you have to apply for an employment permit. This applies equally to anyone outside the noted countries, including American citizens. There is no ‘digital nomad’ option for Ireland – you cannot simply ‘work remotely in Ireland’ for your existing company, nor can you move to Ireland – initially – to work on a contract basis. The Critical Skills Employment Permit offers the most flexibility and fastest path to citizenship for you and your family. Additionally, your partner is eligible to work for any Irish employer without a separate permit. You can apply for a Stamp 4 after 21 months, and citizenship after 5 years of residence.

Process:

1) Receive permanent job offer. While it is possible to find an eligible role by applying, given the administrative, cost and time burdens, in many cases, you will have been headhunted by the sponsoring company.
2) Work with your employer to supply the necessary documentation for yourself and your family. This includes your CV/resume, proof of educational attainment, copies of your passport(s) and more.
3) Wait while your company submits the application. If they are a Trusted Partner, it may be processed in a matter of 12-16 weeks. It can also be considerably longer.
4) You can track the current processing dates for applications – your employer should notify you when your application package has been fully submitted.
5) Once you have received approval for your permit, it will be sent to you with your relevant documentation. If you are from a visa-required country, you will need to begin the visa application process at this point. The US is not a visa-required country. When you have your visa(s), you can now book travel (if your employer has not already done this for you).
6) Move to Ireland, with your permit and all your documents ready to show at Immigration at the airport – but ensure that you have made plans to get your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and PPS number – these can take time, and both are required.
7) If, after 21 months, you are ready to apply for a Stamp 4 – permission that allows you to work for any employer or to start your own business – you can begin that process. Find out more about the transition to Stamp 4 – and the opportunity thereafter to apply for citizenship – here.

Notes: It is your responsibility to abide by the rules set out in your immigration permission, and to keep those permissions current. Your IRP card must also be periodically renewed, and you must have it with you when you travel and re-enter Ireland. This applies to your partner and other family members as well – anyone over 16 must have their own IRP card.

Why: If you do not quality for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, you may have options with the General Employment Permit, but it is much more restrictive – your employer must demonstrate that they have attempted to fill the role with an EU citizen, and the position cannot be on the List of Ineligible Occupations. Your family cannot immediately join you, and even after a 12-month waiting period, you must demonstrate that you can fully support them before they will be allowed to come to Ireland. You can apply for a Stamp 4 after 57 months, and citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of residence.

Process:

1) Receive permanent job offer. You or your employer can apply for the permit, but in most cases, they will manage the process.
2) Work with your employer (if they are submitting the application) to supply the necessary documentation. This includes your CV/resume, proof of educational attainment, copies of your passport and more.
3) Wait while your company submits the application.
4) You can track the current processing dates for applications – your employer should notify you when your application package has been fully submitted.
5) Once you have received approval for your permit, it will be sent to you with your relevant documentation. If you are from a visa-required country, you will need to begin the visa application process at this point. The US is not a visa-required country. When you have your visa(s), you can now book travel (if your employer has not already done this for you).
6) Move to Ireland, with your work permit and other documents ready to show at Immigration at the airport – but ensure that you have made plans to get your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and PPS number – these can take time, and both are required.
7) If, after 57 months, you are ready to apply for a Stamp 4 – permission that allows you to work for any employer or to start your own business – you can begin that process. Find out more about the transition to Stamp 4 – and the opportunity thereafter to apply for citizenship – here.

Notes: It is your responsibility to abide by the rules set out in your immigration permission, and to keep those permissions current. Your IRP card must also be periodically renewed, and you must have it with you when you travel and re-enter Ireland. This applies to your partner and other family members as well – anyone over 16 must have their own IRP card.

Why: There are a number of less-commonly-issued types of employment permits; you can find details on those on the DETE website.