Work Visa

Not everyone requires a work permit to work in Ireland. Citizens of the UK, EEA member states, and Switzerland are free to live and work in Ireland without the need for a visa or employment permit.
Certain non-EEA nationals may also be exempt from requiring a work permit, including those who have:
Permission to remain as the spouse or dependent of an Irish or EEA national
Permission to remain as the parent of an Irish citizen
Temporary leave to remain on humanitarian grounds
Permission from the Department of Justice to reside and work in Ireland
Permission as a registered student, allowing part-time work (up to 20 hours during term and 40 hours during holidays)
Status under the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, with assignment to a mission under a working dependents agreement
If none of these exemptions apply to you or your prospective employee, a work permit will be required.

Work permit applications in Ireland are submitted to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There are various types of employment permits, and it is essential to apply for the one that aligns with your specific circumstances.
The main types of employment permits include:
Critical Skills Employment Permit – for roles listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Intra-Company Transfer Permit – for employees transferring to an Irish branch of their current employer
Dependent/Partner/Spouse Permit – for those joining a spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner working in Ireland under a Critical Skills Permit or Hosting Agreement
Contract for Services Employment Permit – for individuals contracted to provide services to an Irish company
Reactivation Employment Permit – for those re-entering legal employment after exploitation or falling out of status through no fault of their own
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit – for professionals contributing to sports or cultural development in Ireland
Exchange Agreement Employment Permit – for applicants under international reciprocal agreements
Internship Employment Permit – for students outside Ireland seeking work experience in Critical Skills Occupations
General Employment Permit – for occupations not covered above, provided they are not on the Ineligible List of Occupations
Applications may be made by either the prospective employee or the employer. Each permit type has specific eligibility criteria, so it is vital to ensure the correct category is selected.

To obtain a work permit in Ireland as a non-EEA national, both the employee and the employer must meet specific eligibility criteria.
Employee Requirements:
Must have a valid job offer in Ireland for a position not listed on the Ineligible Occupations List
Must demonstrate the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience relevant to the role
Must be outside of Ireland at the time the application is submitted
Must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of arrival
Employer Requirements:
Must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners
Must have a valid Employer Registered Number (ERN)
Must be registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
In certain cases, the employer must also conduct a Labour Market Needs Test to prove that no suitable Irish or EU candidate is available for the role before proceeding with the work permit application.

If you are a national of a visa-required country, you must obtain an employment visa in addition to your work permit in order to legally enter and work in Ireland.
You can check whether your nationality requires a visa by visiting the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website.
The appropriate visa is a Long Stay ‘D’ Employment Visa, which allows you to remain in Ireland for more than 90 days. This visa application is separate from the work permit process and must be submitted through the AVATS online system. Applications are assessed by a Visa Officer.
If you are already employed in another EEA member state and are being temporarily transferred to Ireland by your current employer, you may instead qualify for a Van der Elst visa, subject to specific conditions.

At R&A Immigration Consultants, we specialise exclusively in Irish immigration law and provide expert assistance with work permit and employment visa applications. We represent both individuals and corporate clients, including managing group work permit applications where required.
Our goal is to ensure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. With our experience and attention to detail, you can be confident that your application is in trusted hands.
We assist with:
Work permit applications
Employment visa (Long Stay ‘D’) applications
Van der Elst visa applications
Group work permit submissions
Refused applications and appeals
We serve clients worldwide and are available outside of standard Irish office hours, offering communication via phone, email, and WhatsApp.

Yes, but the rules depend on your nationality. Citizens of the UK, Switzerland, and EEA member states are free to live and work in Ireland without any restrictions.
However, non-EEA nationals must obtain a valid employment permit before taking up work in Ireland, unless they qualify for an exemption (such as being the spouse of an Irish/EEA citizen or holding humanitarian leave to remain).

If you intend to work in Ireland and do not qualify for an exemption, you must secure a job offer and obtain a valid employment permit before moving to the State. You should not relocate to Ireland until both the job offer and the work permit have been granted.

A work permit authorises you to work in Ireland, while a work visa allows you to enter the country for employment purposes. Most non-EEA nationals require a work permit. However, you will only need a work visa in addition if you are from a visa-required country.

At R&A Immigration Consultants, our dedicated team of immigration lawyers can assess your eligibility for Irish citizenship and guide you through the entire application process. If you qualify, we will manage your application from start to finish, ensuring it is handled efficiently and with minimal stress. If citizenship is not immediately available to you, we will explore alternative immigration pathways to help you remain lawfully in Ireland.