Seasonal worker in Ireland

General Employment Permit

General Employment Permits for employed workers are granted for jobs with an annual salary of at least €30,000, excluding bonuses.
Applications for jobs with annual pay of less than €30,000, for example where the specific occupation has broadly lower salaries, are considered on an exceptional basis in the following cases:

• Non-EEA students who have graduated in the last 12 months, from an Irish third level institution, and have been offered a graduate position from the Critical Skills Employment Permit List
• Non-EEA students who have graduated in the last 12 months, from an overseas third level institution, and have been offered a graduate position as an ICT professional from the Critical Skills Occupations List
• Applications for specialist language support and technical or sales support with a fluency in a non-EEA language (other than English) for applications from companies who are supported by the State enterprise development agencies and the employment is in:-
  • a customer service and sales role with relevant product knowledge,
  • a specialist online digital marketing and sales role, or
  • a specialist language support and technical sales support role
• Employment as a boner (meat) when a quota exists as a minimum annual salary of €27,500
• Employment as a Horticulture Worker, Meat Processor Operative, or Dairy Farm Assistant when a quota exists has a minimum annual salary of €22,000

Non-EEA nationals with a stamp 1, 1A, 1G, 2, 2A or 3 residence permission may apply for a General Employment Permit provided the job is not on the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits.

Employment permits are not granted for jobs listed as ineligible.

You or your future employer must complete the online employment permit application form via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A contract of employment signed by both parties must be submitted with each application. A general employment permit checklist and step-by-step user guide are available to assist with your application.

Evidence of having completed the Labour Market Needs Test must be included in the application for a General Employment Permit, with the exception of the following:

• job is listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List
• the waiving of the Labour Market Needs Test has been recommended by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland (this applies to client companies of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland only)
• job offer is for a carer of a person with exceptional medical needs, the non-EEA national has been providing care to the person before the application was made and that person has developed a high level of dependence on that non-EEA national
• job offer is in respect of an eligible employment with a minimum annual remuneration of €60,000 based on a 39 hour week (Employment permits cannot be issued in respect of employments, irrespective of remuneration, on the Ineligible Categories of Employment for an Employment Permit List)former permit holder who has been made redundant (this waiver only applies where the Department has been notified of the redundancy within four weeks of the date of dismissal)

To fulfil the Labour Market Needs Test the employer must advertise the vacancy on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Employment Services / EURES employment network for two weeks and additionally in a national newspaper and either a local newspaper or a job website (other than Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection / EURES website) for three days.

The general employment permit is granted only if there are no national or EEA/Swiss workers available to fill the position. It cannot be issued where this would result in 50% of the workforce employed in Ireland coming from outside the EEA/Switzerland, with the exception of a start-up company within 2 years of its establishment (i.e. registered as an employer with Revenue) and which are supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland and which will contribute to the further development of employment in the State,; where on the day on which the application is made the employer has no employees and the foreign national will be the sole employee.

Non-EEA nationals who are already lawfully resident in the State and hold a valid Certificate of Registration (GNIB card) with Stamps 1, 1A, 1G, 2, 2A and 3 immigration permissions, may apply to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation for an Employment Permit, if offered employment in an eligible occupation i.e. any occupation apart from those on the Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits list. The assessment of skills, labour market shortages and appropriateness of the salary level will be determined by that Department.

Current holders of an Employment Permit in respect of an exchange agreement or an internship and holders of an Intra-Corporate Transfer (Intra-CT) Employment Permit undergoing a one-year training programme in the State, can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit from within the State and subject to the normal criteria.

Visa

Once your employment permit is issued, you must obtain a D-visa unless you are visa-exempt.

You must apply online

In addition to the completed employment permit form and the required fees, you must have a job offer and provide:

• a full and accurate description of the employment, the terms and conditions, the hours of work each week and the proposed duration of the employment;
• documentary evidence that a labour market needs test has been undertaken, if required;
• information on the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that you have for the position;
• details of your immigration history;
• a signed copy of the contract of employment;
• employer details of registration with Revenue Commissioners/Companies Registration Office as appropriate.

You must be directly paid and employed by your employer.

Your employer must be registered with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office and must operate his/her trading in Ireland.

Following admission to Ireland, you must register with your local immigration officer and obtain a certificate of registration.
 

If you live in Dublin City or county, you must register at Burgh Quay Immigration Registration Office. This office is managed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

If you live outside Dublin City or county, you must register at your local immigration registration office. These offices are managed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (police) and located at Garda stations nationwide.