If you're thinking of how to apply for a work visa in Ireland, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. Due to the booming economy and care for foreign workers in Ireland, it has become an appealing land for new career seekers. You may be looking for a job in the tech industry, healthcare, or any other growing industry, but acquiring the appropriate work visa is key.
The procedure for application requires meeting the eligibility requirements, obtaining a job offer and providing the requisite documents. The visas available include the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit, but as with obtaining any permit, one must know the requirements. Read on to discover everything you need to know to make your move to Ireland seamless and rewarding.
Ireland Work Visa Basics
Before going into the details of how to apply for a work visa in Ireland, it's essential you understand the fundamental basics of the Irish work visa system. You need authorization to immigrate to Ireland if you are not from the UK, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area. You must apply for an employment permit if you want to work in Ireland. Generally speaking, your employment permit must be obtained before you arrive in Ireland. Once you have received an offer of employment, you can apply for an employment permit.
This implies that you must apply for an employment permit after finding employment. Then, you can apply for a visa to enter Ireland once you obtain the work permit. In other words, a foreign national must first get a job and apply for a work permit before getting an Ireland work visa. On the other hand, Individuals who are citizens of Switzerland and the EEA can work in the Republic of Ireland without a visa.
Who Doesn't Need an Ireland Work Permit?
You can work in Ireland without the employment permit if you fit into any of the following categories:
- You possess an Ireland student visa.
- You are an Irish citizen's spouse, civil partner, or parent.
- You have been granted refugee status in Ireland.
- Permission to stay has been granted for humanitarian reasons.
- You are working for a recognized research organization and conducting scientific research.
- You are a postgraduate student, and your course requires you to work.
Types of Ireland Work Visas & Permits
There are nine different categories of Ireland work permits, but the two most popular are the General Employment Permit and the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
This permit is a key part of how to apply for a work visa in Ireland. It allows workers who have a job offer or employment contract in place for at least two years to work in the Republic of Ireland in a position that pays at least EUR 64,000 annually or EUR 32,000 annually if the position is a high-skilled occupation. To be eligible for this visa, an expat must first fulfill one of two requirements. The first is that your occupation is not listed as one of the ineligible occupations. If your occupation is on this list, you are not eligible to apply for this visa, and applying for any other work visa will be difficult. Currently, the following professions are considered “highly skilled”:
- Natural and Social Science (physicists, chemists, biochemists, biologists, and medical laboratory scientists)
- Health and Social Services (managers and directors)
- Information and communications technology (ICT)
- Health (medical practitioners, healthcare assistants, pharmacists, etc.)
- Engineering
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Quality and Regulatory
- Orthoptics
- Health Associate (prosthetists, orthotics)
- Teaching and Education
- Media
- Architecture (town planners and surveyors)
- Artistic, Literary, and Media
- Design
- Business, Research, and Administration
- Sports and Fitness
- Sales, Marketing, and Related Associate.
After receiving your Critical Skills Employment visa and starting employment, you have to stay with that employer for a minimum of a year. At the time of your hiring, your hiring employer must also demonstrate that at least 50% of their employees are EU/EEA nationals.
General Employment Permit
Understanding how to apply for a work visa in Ireland involves the application for this permit. This Irish work permit is granted to professions that are not eligible for the Critical Skills permit. The General Employment Permit has no list of eligible occupations. Remember that your occupation cannot still be listed as ineligible. This permit is sometimes referred to as the work permit. Depending on the employment you are offered, it may last six months or two years.
Other Types of Employment Permits
1. Dependents/ Partner/ Spouse Employment Permits: This is a family visa as well as a work visa. It is granted to a Critical Skills Employment permit holder's spouse, partner, or dependent. Aside from working as a domestic worker, it permits holders to work in any profession, including those on the ineligible list.
2. Contract for Services Employment Permit: This Irish employment permit is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. It is given to full-time students who want to travel to Ireland for work experience and are currently enrolled in a higher education program.
3. Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit: This is given to foreign nationals who move to an Irish branch of an organization where they work. It is normally reserved for senior management, key personnel, and trainees.
4. Internship Employment Permit: Full-time international students enrolled in third-level institutions outside of Ireland are authorized to enter Ireland with the permit to obtain work experience. An internship work visa is valid for 12 months and cannot be extended.
5. Sport and Cultural Employment Permit: This is granted to foreign citizens who have the education, training, experience, or expertise in sports and culture that can contribute to the advancement of these sectors in Ireland.
6. Exchange Agreement Employment Permit: This Permit is offered to foreign workers coming to the country to work under any international exchange agreement. This includes the Fulbright Programme, the IAESTE, or AIESEC.
7. Reactivation Employment Permit: Former holders of employment permits who were deprived of their right to work in Ireland but not through their fault are eligible to apply for the Ireland Reactivation Employment Permit. For instance, if it resulted from abuse or exploitation at work.
Ireland Work Permit Requirements
To successfully navigate how to apply for a work visa in Ireland, you need to understand the work permit requirements. Here are the following conditions you need to meet to be eligible for an Ireland work permit:
- You need to have an employment offer or contract from an Irish company.
- Unless you are seeking a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your employer must pass the Labour Markets Needs Test, which ensures that the Irish employer cannot find an Irish or EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who would be suited for the role.
- If you apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, you must have a minimum yearly salary of €30,000 or €80,000.
- You must earn at least €30,000 per year to be eligible for a General Employment Permit.
- Every other kind of Ireland work permit requires an annual minimum wage that is equal to the National Minimum Wage.
- The Irish company that is recruiting you must have at least 50% of its employees be citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
Documents Required for an Ireland Work Permit Application
You'll need several documents when applying for your Ireland work permit. The documents may vary depending on the type of permit, but you'll need:
- A copy of your valid passport
- Passport-size picture
- Medical insurance
- A copy of the work contract (ensure you and the employer sign it)
- A copy of the immigration stamp (if applicable)
- Contact person details: name, phone number, role in the company, and email address.
- License number or relevant registration of the company
- Letter of support by IDA/Enterprise Ireland.
- Employee details, such as address, name, company registration number, and relevant certificates.
- Work contract including your salary, duties, work responsibilities, and duration.
How to Apply for an Ireland Work Permit
The foreign employee may apply for an Irish work visa on their own or through their employer. You must apply online via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS).
Start the Application
When you launch an online application, you will be given a number called MyWork-ID. This number lets you pause the application and continue anytime you want. But once you begin an Ireland work permit application, you must finish it within 28 days or your data will be deleted. After that, you will be prompted to select the kind of work permit you want so that you can be directed to the relevant application form. You can just pick the form yourself if you're a seasoned user. If this is your first time applying, click the option “Help me choose Employment Permit Application Form” to get assistance.
Completing the Form
After being redirected to the application form, you must fill it out with all the necessary information. The form has the following sections:
- You must fill out the form with your details and indicate whether an agent is assisting you.
- Details of foreign national
- Registration details
- Details of employment
- Details of redundancy
- Details of remuneration
- Final details
Attach the Documents
You will need to attach the appropriate documents to the application electronically. The necessary documents are listed in a drop-down menu. You can save your electronic documents in PDF, PNG, or JPEG/JPG formats, and they should not exceed 10 MB in size. Furthermore, you’ll need to sign and print the application form after completing certain sections or send it to the appropriate authorities for signatures, if necessary. Once the documents are signed, you will need to scan them and re-upload them to the online system.
Pay the Permit Fee
You must pay the Ireland work permit processing fees before you can fill out the application. You'll need to use a credit or debit card to pay for it online. The application fee for a General Employment Permit is €500 ($560) for six months of validity and €1000 ($1,110) for one year. Meanwhile, the Critical Skills Employment Permit costs €1000 ($1,110).
Wait for Processing
The processing time for an Ireland employment permit is 13 weeks. If you are allowed entry into Ireland, the immigration officials will stamp your passport with the number of days you are allowed to stay there. Prior to the end of those days, you must obtain your Ireland residence permit and register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Ireland Work Visa Application
Knowing how to apply for a work visa in Ireland involves understanding the application process. So let’s get into it. You can apply for an Irish work visa after you have filed for a work permit. The Ireland work visa is a long-stay D-visa. Unlike a work permit, you must apply for a work visa through the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service. Once your work permit application is complete, the online EPOS will guide you through the next stages of applying for the visa.Â
This entails sending in all of your supporting documentation, including your resume, passport, and proof of health insurance, among others. The system will guide you on where you will send the original documents. Visa decisions are usually made eight weeks after you apply. The cost of a work visa can range from 500 to 1,000 EUR (560 to 1110 USD), depending on how long the visa is valid.
If your work permit is approved, there will be a visa charge to cover the cost of processing your application. This money is non-refundable, even if you are denied a visa. The prices vary based on how frequently you want to leave and return to Ireland. Single entry costs 25 EUR (30 USD), while multiple entry costs 100 EUR (110 USD).
Conclusion
There you have it – everything concerning how to apply for a work visa in Ireland. An Ireland work visa offers a gateway to exciting career opportunities in a vibrant, English-speaking country. With proper documentation and application, you can thrive in the country's diverse workforce, enjoying a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
