Contract for Services Employment Permit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

The permit is for non-EEA employees of a foreign contractor that has won a contract for services with an Irish entity, who are transferred to work on that contract in Ireland.

See recorded sources

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
The Contract for Services Employment Permit is designed for situations where a foreign undertaking (Contractor) has won a contract to provide services to an Irish entity (Relevant Person) on a contract for services basis and to facilitate the transfer of non-EEA employees to work on the Irish contract in Ireland.

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

The foreign contractor (the employer) must apply; the employee must have worked for the contractor for at least 6 months before transfer; the contract must be one-to-one with an Irish entity (no subcontracting to a third party); the employee remains employed by the foreign-based employer; at least 50% of the contractor’s or Irish entity’s employees must be EEA nationals.

See recorded sources

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
The Contractor must make the employment permit application for a Contract for Services Employment Permit.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
The employee in question must have been working for a minimum period of 6 months with the Contractor prior to transfer
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
The contract involved must be a one-to-one contract with an Irish entity - documentary evidence of this contract may be requested. Employment permits will not be considered in instances where work is being subcontracted to a third party.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
as employees are remaining employed by a foreign based employer.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Employment permits will not issue unless at the time of application at least 50% of the employees of the Contractor or the Relevant Person (that is, person in the State with whom a contractor has entered into a contract of service) are EEA nationals.

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

The minimum annual remuneration is €49,523, paid by the contractor; a Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases, except for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, jobs paying at least €64,000, or with an Enterprise Ireland/IDA recommendation.

See recorded sources

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
In order to achieve the minimum annual remuneration threshold of €49,523 for a Contract for Services Employment Permit
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
All components of the remuneration must be paid by the contractor.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
A Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases, other than: Applications in respect of occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Where the job offer is in respect of an eligible employment with a minimum annual remuneration of €64,000, or
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Applications submitted with a recommendation from the Enterprise Development Agencies

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

The permit is limited to positions required for the service of the contract; the holder must leave the State when the contract ends or the permit expires, and may change employer only via a transfer of undertaking. Spouses, dependants and partners cannot get a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply for their own permit; the official source does not state whether family members may accompany the holder.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Source does not state whether family members may accompany the holder; it only excludes the Dependant Employment Permit.

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Contract for Services Employment Permits are strictly limited to positions required for the service of the contract
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
At the cessation of the contract or when the permit expires the permit holder in question must leave the State.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
The holders of Contract for Services Employment Permits can change employers where a transfer of employment has taken place
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Spouses/dependants/partners of Contract for Service Employment Permit holders are not eligible for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply for a separate employment permit in their own right

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Permits can only be considered for the term of the contract: up to 24 months in the first instance, extendable on application to a maximum stay of 5 years; renewal applications are made on Employment Permits Online within 16 weeks before the existing permit expires. Holders do not accrue rights for long-term residency purposes, but after holding the permit for one year may apply for another permit type (e.g. a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit).

See recorded sources

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Permits can only be considered for the term of the contact. Applications may be granted for a maximum period of up to 24 months in the first instance and may be extended upon application to a maximum stay of 5 years.
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
An application in respect of the renewal of a permit can be made on Employment Permits Online within 16 weeks prior to the expiry of the existing permit
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
Holders of Contract for Services Employment Permits do not accrue rights for long term residency purposes
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/contract-for-services-employment-permit/
a permit holder after holding a Contract for Services Employment Permit for one year may apply for an alternative employment permit, for example, a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Contract for Services Employment Permit

What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?

Does the applicant need a job offer, employer, sponsor, transfer relationship or other employer involvement? What is important about that employer relationship?

What are the few decisive professional characteristics of the pathway: occupation, qualifications, experience, salary, skill level, shortage status, labour-market condition or equivalent?

What work does the permission allow? Is the holder tied to an employer, occupation or sector? Can family accompany where clearly established?

How long is the permission normally granted for, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction exists if officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.