Exchange Agreement Employment Permit

Introduction

The Exchange Agreement Employment Permit replaces the old Exchange Agreement class of Work Permit Employment Permit and will also cater for employment permits for international reciprocal agreements. It is designed to facilitate the employment in the State of foreign nationals pursuant to prescribed agreements or other international agreements to which the State is a party. Exchange Agreement Employment Permits may be issued for differing periods up to a maximum of two years, depending on the type of exchange agreement. Employment Permits under this agreement can only be considered for a maximum period of 12 months and are non-renewable.

The IAESTE Network

IAESTE is a non-political, independent and non-governmental organisation representing academics, industrial and student interests. Ireland has been a member of the IAESTE network since 1962 and many hundreds of Irish students have gained both important work experience and cultural awareness through their participation on the programme. The IAESTE Programme works on a reciprocal basis, so that for every foreign trainee placed in a company in Ireland, an Irish student has the opportunity to take up a traineeship abroad. Employment permits under this agreement can only be considered for a maximum period of 12 months and are non-renewable. Awards are made through open competition to outstanding post-graduate students and post-doctoral scholars who demonstrate leadership qualities. The Vulcanus In Europe Programme (Ireland) is a unique venture established in 1987 by the European Commission and Japan's Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry to invite Japanese participant students of engineering, science and technology to Europe for a year to gain work experience in major food companies.

Employer Requirements

Employers must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies, and an employer-employee relationship must exist in that the prospective employee will be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer. An application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date and can be made online on the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). There are up to three stages in the passage of an employment permit application. Application received (awaiting processing) is placed in the relevant processing queue depending on the Employer type, and applicants can keep track of their progress online on the Online Status Update Enquiry facility. Processing stage is where the application is considered by an official with decision making authority.

Review of Application

Review is done by a separate and more senior official, and there is no processing fee for an Exchange Agreement Employment Permit. After successful application for an employment permit, an applicant should apply to their local Irish Embassy/Consulate for an entry visa. All relevant and supporting documentation must be available for inspection by an Immigration Officer. Entry to the State is always at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. Non-EEA nationals in possession of an employment permit must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to be lawfully resident in the State.

Residency Rights

Holders of Exchange Agreement Employment Permits do not accrue rights for long term residency purposes, but can change employers where a transfer of employment has taken place under the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (SI No 131 of 2003). If the change of name is pursuant to a transfer of undertaking, the Department will issue a new permit to the permit holder/s and certified copy/ies to the new employer. Cancellation of Employment Permits is subject to Section 24(1) of the Employments Permits Act 2006, and must be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment within 4 weeks of termination or cessation.