Information It is advisable to have a job and, if possible, some form of accommodation organised before you travel to work in Ireland. If you have secured employment in advance of travel, make sure that you are fully aware of the pay and conditions on offer. If you are travelling from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, make sure that you check out the legal requirements regarding the need for employment permits, in particular Green Card permits and work permits.
Note: the European Economic Area (EEA) comprises the European Union member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. People coming from Switzerland to work in Ireland do not need an employment permit. From 1 January 2007 nationals of Romania and Bulgaria may still need employment permits.
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Rules Your rights as an EEA national If you are an EEA or Swiss national, you are entitled to be treated like any other applicant when you apply for work in Ireland. You are free to apply for any job vacancy, including jobs in the public sector. These include jobs in the Irish army and the Irish police force (An Garda Síochána), but not the Irish diplomatic service. If you are qualified to practice a certain profession in your home country, then you will generally find that you are qualified to practice the same profession in Ireland. You will, however, need to apply for recognition of your training. Read more about coming from the EU to work in Ireland here
Non-EEA nationals who do not require employment permits to work in Ireland You are entitled to apply for work in Ireland without an employment permit if you:
are married to an Irish citizen, or are a parent of an Irish citizen and have been granted permission to reside in the state have been granted refugee status by the Minister of Justice are studying at postgraduate level and are required to work as an integral part of your course, for example doctors, dentists, etc. From 1st June, 2002 (in accordance with the term of the European Communities and Swiss Confederation Act, 2001), you do not need an employment permit if you are from Switzerland and are coming to Ireland to work.
Employment permits for other non-EEA nationals If you are a non-EEA resident and you wish to work in Ireland, you will need a permit to work in Ireland.
From 1 February 2007 there are four new types of employment permit as follows:
Green Card permits are available for all occupations with an annual salary above 60,000 euro and for a restricted range of occupations with an annual salary above 30,000 euro and below 60,000 euro. The Green Card permit is for two years initially and then may be renewed indefinitely. There is no requirement for the employer to show that an EEA or Swiss national could be not be found to do the job. The Green Card permit scheme replaces the working visa and work authorisation scheme which has been discontinued
Work permits are available for occupations with an annual salary above 30,000 euro which are not eligible for a Green Card. They are also available for a very limited list of occupations with annual salaries below 30,000 euro. The work permit application must meet a labour market needs test showing that the position could not be filled from within the EEA or Switzerland. It is granted for two years initially and may be renewed for a further three years
The spousal/dependant work permit allows the spouses and dependants of employment permit holders who are resident in Ireland to apply for a work permit without the requirement for a labour market needs test
A new intra-company transfer permit for senior management, key personnel and trainees who have an annual salary of at least 40,000 euro and who have been working for 12 months in an overseas branch of a multi-national company You will need to prove that you have particular skills or qualifications required for the job. You must have the employment permit before you start work. It is an offence to work without one.
Either the employer or the employee may apply for the employment permit and it takes approximately two to three months to process the application. The cost of the employment permit will depend on its duration. You or your employer can apply to renew it once it expires.
Employment permit holders have all the employment rights of Irish or EU citizens for the duration of the employment permit.
Your Irish embassy or consulate will be able to advise you on whether you require an entry visa for Ireland.
Rates The fees charged for a employment permit depend on the type and duration of that permit.
There will be no charge if the application is refused or withdrawn before the permit is issued. Fees may be waived in certain circumstances.
How to apply New applications for work permits or Green Cards can be made by you or your prospective employer to the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The completed form should be returned with two recent passport photographs of you, documentary evidence of your qualifications and, for a work permit application, documentary evidence that no EEA or Swiss national could be found to do the job.
You should allow two to three months for the application to be processed.
Where to apply Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dept.:Employment Permits Section, Davitt House, 65a Adelaide Road, Dublin 02, Ireland. Opening Hours:9:30-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Tel:+353 1 631 3333/3308 Locall:1890 201 616 Fax:+353 1 631 3268 Homepage:http://www.entemp.ie Email:employmentpermits@entemp.ie Wheelchair Access:Unknown
The above information has been kindly provided by http://www.citizensinformation.ie