Work Permits

An Employment Permit Permits Employment for non-nationals who otherwise do not have an entitlement to work in the State under the conditions of their permission. To promote sourcing of labour from within Ireland and the EU – where there are gaps, the State can cater for that by Employment Permit policy changes, where doing so benefits State’s economic and social development.

The Government’s policy is that employment opportunities which arise in Ireland should, in the first instance, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals, and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. This policy also fulfils the State’s obligations under the Community Preference principles of membership of the EU.

In order to ensure that job opportunities are made available to Irish and EEA nationals, employers must satisfy a Labour Market Needs Test before a General Employment Permit or Contract for Services Employment Permit can be issued to a non-EEA national. It should be noted that Labour Market Test is not required for certain type of employment permits, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit.

General Employment permit is the most common work permit granted to Non EU citizens. General Employment Permit assumes all occupations to be eligible unless excluded under the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits. All occupations under the Critical Skills Occupations List are also deemed eligible.

It is very important to know the difference between an employment permit and permission to reside in Ireland. An employment permit does not authorise residence in the state. A permission granted by the Minister for Justice authorise residence in the state.

At Leap Liberty Legal Ltd we deal with Employment permits and permission to stay. Please note that you will need a job offer before we can apply for a work permit for you. Please contact us for more information and to book a consultation.