Irish Employment Immigration Law

Critical Skills Employment Permit

Eligibility for the Critical Skills Permit

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled people into the Irish labour market.

Employee Requirements 

Typically, permit holders will have skills that have been identified as being in short supply in Ireland. 

Employer Requirements

The employer must be a bona-fide company trading in Ireland, registered with the Revenue Commissioners.

Application for the Critical Skills Permit

An application for the Critical Skills Permit must be made at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment.

Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit

Employment Permits for Dependants

A spouse, de facto partner or dependant may be permitted to work in Ireland when accompanied by an approved Critical Skills Employment Permit holder.

Criteria for Dependants

They must be recognised as a dependant/partner/spouse of a permit holder, live with the permit holder in Ireland and not be in full-time education.

Criteria for Dependant Employers

The employer must be a bona-fide company trading in Ireland, registered with the Revenue Commissioners.

Application for the Dependant

A dependant/partner/spouse of a permit holder must register with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits

Eligibility for the Transfer Permit

The permit is designed to assist non-EEA senior managers, key personnel or trainees be transferred to Ireland from another international office.

Examples of 'Senior Management'

Someone who has supervision or control over the the organisation, department or sub-division, and has authority to exercise considerable discretion.

Examples of 'Key Personnel'

Someone who has specialist knowledge essential to the organisation, typically requiring a high degree of training, experience and/or professional affiliation. 

Remuneration Requirements

Senior managers or key personnel permit holders are generally expected to earn above €40,000. 

General Employment Permit

Eligibility for the General Permit

All occupations are eligible for the general employment permit unless specifically excluded under the 'Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits'.

Employee Requirements 

Typically, a qualifying role will pay above €30,000, not be listed as ineligible and the prospective employee shall have the the relevant skills or experience required.

Employer Requirements

The employer must be a bona-fide company trading in Ireland, registered with the Revenue Commissioners.

Application for the General Permit

An application for the general employment permit must be made at least 12 weeks before the proposed commencement of employment.

Contract for Services Employment Permit

Eligibility for the Contract Permit

The Contract for Services Permit operates to facilitate the transfer of non-EEA employees to work on a contract secured by a foreign company in Ireland. 

Employee Requirements 

Contract for Services permit holders will already be working with the Contractor, will be limited to work on the contracted services and not employed in an 'ineligible' listed occupation. 

Contractor Requirements

The Contractor must be a bona-fide company registered with the Revenue Commissioners, have at least 50% of employees being EEA nationals and pay the remuneration threshold.

Application for the Contract Permit

An application for the Contract for Services Permit must be made at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment date and be made by the Contractor. 

Reactivation Employment Permit

Purpose of the Reactivation Permit

The Reactivation Employment Permit is intended for no-EEA permit holders who have typically been made unemployed, experienced workplace exploitation or a change in circumstances. 

Eligible Permit Candidates

Those who previously worked legally with an employment permit, want to change employer or whose dependant/partner/spouse employment permit whose circumstances have changed.

Non Eligible Permit Candidates

Those who never held an employment permit, hold a critical skills or general permits but have been made redundant, or certain persons who remained in Ireland on the expiration of their permit.

Application for the Reactivation Permit

An application for a temporary permit is made to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, and then a full application is made to the Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation.

Immigrant Investor Programme

Enterprise Investment

An investment of at least €1 million in a new or established Irish registered and headquartered business or businesses that supports the creation or maintenance of employment, over 3 years.

Investment Fund

An investment of at least €1 million in a fund, that may

involve multiple investors and a diverse portfolio, that supports the creation or maintenance of employment, over 3 years.

REIT Investment 

A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the Irish stock exchange. Investor is permitted to withdraw 50% of shares after 3 years. 

Endowment

A single endowment of at least €500,000, or a €400,000 each by five donors, to a public project benefiting the arts, sports, health or education.

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme

Purpose of the Programme

The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme is designed to encourage innovative entrepreneurs to apply for permission to establish their business and reside in Ireland on a full time basis.

Qualifying for the Programme

An investor may make an application if they are of 'good character', have no criminal convictions, willing to invest €50,000 and

have an innovative business proposal.

Conditions of Approval

An investor must establish the business as applied, work on this business on a full time basis, have no other employment, not become a financial burden and not be convicted of a crime.

Application for Approval

An Independent Evaluation Committee consisting of senior public and civil servants is responsible for evaluating the suitability of any Start-up Entrepreneur Programme proposal.

Stamps, Permissions and Conditions

Stamp 0

Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period subject to that person being fully financially self-sufficient.

Stamp 1

Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland subject to securing a valid employment permit or permission from INIS.

Stamp 1A

Stamp 1A indicates permission to study accountancy as a trainee and be employed as a trainee accountant.

Stamp 1G

Stamp 1G is for a graduate now seeking employment in Ireland under the Third Level Graduate Programme.

Stamp 2

Stamp 2 indicates permission to study a full time course, not receive any benefits or use publicly funded services and work 20 hours per week.

Stamp 3

Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay in Ireland to volunteer, be a minister of religion

or join your non-EEA partner or family member.

Stamp 4

Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, take up employment and establish or operate a business.

Stamp 5

Stamp 5 is placed in the passport of an individual who has completed 8 years (96 months) of legal residency in Ireland.