General Employment Permit

General Employment Permits are the primary vehicle used by the State to attract 3rd country nationals for occupations which are experiencing a labour or skills shortage.

Therefore, all occupations are eligible unless excluded under the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits

The main attraction of the General Employment Permit for prospective candidates is that it permits a broader range of occupations than the other classes of employment permit

As with most employment permits the issue of a General Employment Permit is contingent on a job offer from a bona fide employer registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, if applicable, with the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies, and is trading in Ireland.

That an employer – employee relationship will exist in that the prospective employee concerned will be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer.

An employment permit will not issue unless at the time of application at least 50% of the employees in a firm are EEA nationals (50:50 rule).

The 50:50 rule is waived in certain circumstances: Start-up companies - the employer must be registered with Revenue as an employer within last 2 years, and the employer must have a letter of support from either Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland

Where on the day on which the application is made the employer has no employees; the foreign national will be the sole employee

A Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases

To fulfil the Labour Market Needs Test the employer must advertise the position on DSP Employment Services/EURES employment network and an additional advertisement on an online platform.

Minimum annual remuneration - is generally €36,605.

In the case of employment as a Horticulture worker, Meat Processor Operative, Health Care Assistant (HCA) & Home Support Worker (SOC 6145) the minimum annual remuneration is €32,691

In the case of employment where they applicant has a relevant degree issued by an Irish third level college in the previous 12 months, the minimum annual remuneration is €34,009

A Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases, other than: Where the job is an occupation included on the Critical Skills Occupations List . Where the job offer is in respect of an eligible employment with a minimum annual remuneration of €68,911.

the prospective employee must possess the relevant qualifications, skills or experience that are required for the employment.

which permits his or her employment in the State by the employer in the occupation and location/s specified on the permit.

If the foreign national is granted an employment permit for the first time in the State, then he / she is expected to stay with the initial employer for a period of 9 months.

Apart from the exceptional circumstances set out above, after 9 months the permit holder may move employer provided that a new application for a General Employment Permit is made following the normal criteria.

Spouses, dependants or partners of General Employment Permit holders are not eligible for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply for a separate employment permit in their own right.

A General Employment Permit can be issued for an initial period of 2 years and can then be renewed for up to a further three years. After 5 years, the applicant may apply to the Dept Of Justice (Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) for long term residency.

within 4 months prior to the expiry of the existing permit

Non-EEA nationals who have held valid General Employment Permits for 5 years or more consecutively and have been working lawfully during that time may not require an Employment Permit to work in the State. In these circumstances the proposed employee may not be required to apply for a new General Employment Permit or a renewal of their existing employment permit and should contact the Department of Justice to apply for a temporary Stamp 4.