The General Employment Permit in Ireland provides individuals with the opportunity to work in occupations experiencing a shortage of labor. This permit allows individuals to seek employment in any occupation not listed as ineligible for Employment Permits, provided they meet the other necessary criteria.
Typically, the application for the General Employment Permit is submitted before arriving in Ireland. In some cases, individuals may also need to apply for a visa to enter the country. Once in Ireland, it is mandatory to register and obtain an Irish Residence Permit.
It is important to note that the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE) issues various types of employment permits in addition to the General Employment Permit.
Eligibility for the General Employment Permit depends on whether you or your employer apply for the permit before you arrive in Ireland. If you are already residing in Ireland with a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and have Stamp 1, 1G, 2, 2A, or 3 permission, you can apply for the permit without leaving the country. Stamp 4 holders do not require an employment permit to work. However, if your Stamp 4 permission is expiring and cannot be renewed, you can apply for an employment permit.
You or your employer can apply for a General Employment Permit if the job offer meets the following conditions:
- The job pays a minimum of €30,000 per year, with exceptions outlined below.
- The job is not listed as an ineligible occupation.
- The employer has conducted a Labor Market Needs Test.
- At least 50% of the company’s workforce or organization consists of EU citizens (known as the 50/50 rule).
Regarding salary, the job must have an annual minimum salary of €30,000. However, applicants with an annual salary of €27,000 can still apply if they meet specific criteria, such as being a non-EEA student who graduated within the past 12 months from an Irish third-level institution and has received a graduate position from the Critical Skills Occupations List. Other exceptions include graduate positions for ICT professionals, specialist language support and technical or sales support roles involving fluency in a non-EEA language, healthcare assistants, and home carers who possess or obtain a Level 5 QQI qualification within two years of starting the job. When applying for a permit renewal, the annual salary must be €30,000.
Any occupation not listed as ineligible for Employment Permits can be considered eligible for a General Employment Permit. The employer must be a registered trading entity in Ireland, recognized by Revenue and the Companies Registration Office. The applicant must possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience required for the job. Furthermore, the employer must have conducted a Labor Market Needs Test, and over 50% of the current workforce in the company must consist of EEA citizens (referred to as the 50:50 rule).
It is important to note that General Employment Permit applications from recruitment agencies and intermediaries are not accepted. Additionally, employers are prohibited from deducting recruitment expenses from an employee’s salary or retaining personal documents.
If you wish to learn more about this permit, please visit https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/working-in-ireland/employment-permits/work-permits/#l468be
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