Republic of Ireland Work Visa Requirements

Work and residency permit are a necessary requirement for the majority of foreign nationals intending to reside and engage in fulltime employment in a foreign country.  The individual is legally required to obtain official authorization to engage in full time employment in a country where the applicant may not necessarily have the right to work/reside in.  A work visa will be in the form a standard document or more commonly, a stamp in your passport.  The application process for obtaining a visa can be a highly time consuming experience so it is important to apply for the relevant visa in ample time before you need to fly to the designated country.  Depending on your nationality you may not be required to obtain a work visa, generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Every country lists set criteria which must to be met in order to be approved a work visa and residence permit.

Who requires an Ireland Work Permit?

All EU citizens are eligible to both reside and work in the Republic of Ireland without the cause for application of a residency visa or work permit.  The Freedom of Movement Act under European Law stipulates that all EU citizens can move freely within the member states and have the right to reside and work in any EU country.  If the individual wishes to reside in the Republic of Ireland for a period longer than 90 days he/she must register their stay with the relevant authority.

Foreign nationals (Non-EU citizens) unlike EU citizens are legally required to obtain a Residence Visa and Work Permit/Ireland Working Holiday Visa, where they intend to take up full time employment in the Republic of Ireland.  This work permit can be applied for by the applicants sponsor company (employer) on their behalf or by the employee themselves before they can commence employment.  A work permit is required even where the applicant intends to undertake unpaid or voluntary work in Ireland.

Types of Republic of Ireland Work Permits

Rep. Ireland Working Holiday Visa – Ireland has entered into reciprocal agreements with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong for the purposes of enabling citizens of the aforementioned countries to visit the Republic of Ireland without a residence or work permit for 1 year.  Under the Working Holiday Visa guidelines, the applicants can engage in employment but cannot exceed a maximum of 3 months employment with one particular employer.  Applicants must also be aged between 18-30 years of age, have no dependants, hold a valid passport, have sufficient funds to support their stay and have adequate medical insurance.

Green Card Permit – Available to Non EEA citizens who intend to work in the Republic of Ireland for a long period of time.  This particular type of work permit is applicable for all applicants whose job in Ireland will earn them a minimum of 60,000 EURO per annum.  In certain job categories, an applicant earning a minimum of 30,000 EURO per annum can also attain a green card permit.

Regular Work Permit – Applicable where the applicant’s job offer in the Republic of Ireland does not qualify under the green card scheme. Ireland work permits are valid for a period of 2 years and have the option to be renewed when expires.  Renewing the permit can be achieved for a period extended to 3 years.  Where the permit holder has had the work permit for a continuous period for 5 years can obtain a permanent work permit.

The work permit entitles the applicant to work in a particular job for a particular employer.  However after a period of 12 months the individual is eligible to transfer to another employer, if the applicants decide to change employment, a new work permit needs to be applied for.

Entitlement under a Regular Work Permit

The main permit holders spouse and dependants are eligible to reside with him/her in the Republic of Ireland and engage in full time employment also.

Non qualifying jobs under the work permit program are;

- Clerical/administrative jobs

- Laboring and other plumbing, electrical and carpentry work

- Operative and Production work

- Retail Sales positions

- Nursery, child minders, nannies

- All hotel jobs with the exception of chefs

- Domestic drivers (including HGV)

Long-term residence in Ireland

Long term residence permits may be acquired by the following 2 categories of people:

1) Holders of residence permits who have been an Ireland resident for over 5 years may apply for a 5 year extension permit

2) Holders of a residence permit who have been an Ireland resident for 8 years can obtain a stamp giving them unconditional long term residency

Ireland work permits are categories by 6 different types of ‘stamps’.  It is important for all applicants to know which stamp is relevant for them to apply for.  The 6 stamps are;

Stamp 1 – applicable to all Non-EU nationals who are holders of a work permit

Stamp 2 – Applicable to all full time students

Stamp 3 – Applicable to all tourists, visitors, spouses and retired persons (this stamp does not allow for the holder to engage in any form of employment)

Stamp 4 – Issued to spouses and dependants of EEA nationals, holders of this stamp do not require work permits

Stamp 5 – Issued where the applicant has dual citizenship (born in Ireland)

Stamp 6 – Issued to non EEA nationals who have been resident in the Republic of Ireland for a minimum of 8 years.

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