FAQ

Find answers to common questions about Irish work permits, including eligibility criteria, application processes, required documents, and guidelines for legally working in Ireland.

A. No. Ireland is not part of the Schengen zone, therefore, you will need to be offered a position of employment and approved for an Employment Permit before entering the state. You will also need to check if you are Visa or non-Visa required before entering the State.

A. Employment permit applications can vary based on the type of permit. For example, a General Employment Permit can take 10-12 weeks in total, including the mandatory advertising known as the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT). On the other hand, a Critical Skills Employment Permit can take as little as 3 weeks in total to process. The fastest type of employment permit is, generally speaking, an employment permit transfer.

A. The best way to select an employment permit is to work backwards from the Ineligible List of Occupations. From here, you should be able to rule out certain job titles. As long as the job title you are seeking is not present on the Ineligible list, an application for either a General Employment Permit or a Critical Skills Employment Permit should be possible, depending on various factors.

A. Yes, you may come to Ireland to study and be granted either a Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A Visa. These permissions differ in terms of what they allow you to do. For individuals who have been granted a Stamp 2 Visa, they must be enrolled in an approved English course, or in a Degree course at an Irish University. There are also additional criteria that must be met, relating to funds and health insurance. If you are granted a Stamp 2 Permission, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week, and up to 39 hours per week during holiday periods.

A Stamp 2A Visa is a Permission that is viewed as a tourist Permission, despite the fact that the holder is here to study. Under these Visa conditions, no employment of any kind is permitted. As mentioned above, there are also additional criteria that must be met, relating to funds and health insurance.

A. When you arrive at an Approved Port of Entry, a member of the Immigration Control Unit (ICO) or Border Management Unit (BMU) or GNIB will decide whether you may enter the State or not. Both ICO and GNIB Officers have the power to grant or refuse entry on behalf of the Minister for Justice. Largely speaking, this area is governed by section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004 and the Free Movement of Persons Regulations 2015.

A. If an Employment Permit and Visa has been granted you are then permitted to seek entry into the State. Once you are given leave to land, you will then have to create an in person appointment to register your Permission with the ISD located in Dublin City.

A. The Immigration Service Delivery (if registering in Dublin), located at 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin, D02 XK70. For registration outside of Dublin, you must book an appointment online or with your local Garda Station (depending on the area).

A. Yes, however it is advised that you contact a professional when applying for an Employment Permit. These are legally binding documents and must be completed accurately and in line with Employment Permit Regulations. Using an established and trusted agency is always a better choice and will vastly increase your chances of a successful application.

A. The mandatory Government fee for an Entry Visa varies. However, applying for an Entry Visa can be a complicated and delicate process, so it is advised that prospective candidates contact Approved Agents to apply on their behalf.

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