Ireland’s Work Visas: Unlocking Employment Opportunities

If you’re considering employment opportunities in the Emerald Isle, understanding the intricacies of the visa system is crucial. Ireland offers a range of work visas to attract skilled professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide. Whether you are interested in short-term assignments, long-term employment, or starting your own business, this blog will provide essential information. We’ll explore the different types of work visas available, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and important tips to enhance your chances of success. Prepare to embark on an exciting journey towards working in one of Europe’s most vibrant and welcoming countries!

Before we begin, let’s look at the Employment Permit Statistics 2023 thus far. 3706 Indians have been issued work permits, which is also the highest in terms of number as per nationality, much ahead of Brazilians and Filipinos, which stand at No. 2 and No. 3. Even if we look at 2022, 15,695 Indians were issued a work permit, which was again the highest by a large margin. 

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Ireland has a system of immigration stamps, such as Stamp 1G, Stamp 1, Stamp 4, etc. Applying for any Indian citizen but not a member of the EU is fraught with difficulties, including eligibility, documentation, choosing the appropriate SOC code, application fees, and the dreaded 50-50 rule. Therefore, it’s crucial to be knowledgeable or to obtain professional advice on a case-by-case basis. Several businesses may need to be more friendly to foreign workers, even though non-European nationals are in high demand in sectors like ICT, finance, and pharmaceuticals.

Here, we are going to cover No. 1 Stamp 1G, which is also known as Post Study Work Visa, No. 2 CSEP (Critical Skill Employment Permit), No. 3 GWP (General Work Permit) and finally, ICT (Intra Company Transfer Employment Permit).

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If you’re a non-European Economic Area (EEA) graduate, Stamp 1G, often known as the Third Level Graduate Stamp, enables you to remain in Ireland after finishing your course. You must first look for work to apply for a general work permit, a key skill work permit, or a research hosting agreement during this time. There are now two permissions: a 12-month permission that primarily applies to undergraduate students and a 24-month permission that primarily applies to masters and PhD students.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have received written notification from the appropriate awarding authority or institution on or after January 1, 2017, stating that they have earned the reward they had signed up for as a student.
• Must not have previously reviewed the seven-year restriction on their permission to study in the State as a non-EEA national.
• Applications must be completed within six months of receiving notification from the appropriate awarding organisation or institution that they have earned the award for which they had registered as a student, and they must possess a current Stamp 2 student immigration authorisation and an up-to-date immigration registration card.
• When achieving a higher level award, such as a level 9 or above, those who previously benefited from the Third Level Graduate Programme at a level 8 award or higher may re-enter the programme for an additional twelve months, up to a maximum of eight years overall.
• A graduate will only be allowed to access the programme twice, subject to the provisions of clause 4 above.
• Must adhere to state legislation, just like any non-EEA national who wants to renew their authorisation to be in the country must. Such individuals are anticipated to be of good reputation and not to have drawn the authorities’ negative attention in any way.
• Must show proof of receiving the final award in the form of a parchment or, in cases where the graduation ceremony has not yet occurred, an official letter from the awarding body or institution attesting to the achievement of the award.

How to apply?

• You must apply online through the official portal
• You should contact/attend the nearest immigration office to obtain graduate authorisation.
• Documents required
  • A valid copy of the award granted to you
  • A copy of your passport
  • Medical insurance
  • You must pay a fee of €300 (26,645 INR) per person to register

For more information regarding Stamp 1G visa, click here.

One of the most common job licences in Ireland is CSEP. It promotes individuals who are regarded as highly talented to establish permanent residency in Ireland. The Irish labour market has a severe shortage of workers in occupations that fall under the Crucial Skills Employment Permit (CSEP), which is deemed crucial to Ireland’s economy. ICT, health, business, research, and administrative professionals are examples of this.

If you possess highly sought-after skills and expertise, this permit opens up exciting opportunities for employment in Ireland. Designed to attract top talent worldwide, the Critical Skill Employment Permit allows individuals to work in Ireland for up to two years, with the possibility of extension. The labour market requirements determine occupations considered eligible under this permit, and the list of eligible occupations is set out in the Critical Skills Occupations List.

Eligibility Criteria

If you are given a job offer with either of the following, you (or the business) may apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.

• An occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List with a minimum yearly remuneration of €32,000
• A salary of €64,000 per year in a profession not on the list of prohibited professions

How to apply?

• You or your company may submit an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s Employment Permits Section.
• Using the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), submit your application online with supporting documents. You must apply with the use of the Critical Skills Employment Permit checklist.
• You or your company are required to pay a €1,000 (88,803 INR) charge. You will receive 90% of your application cost returned if your application is rejected.

For more information regarding CSEP, click here.

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If you’re considering employment opportunities in Ireland and don’t qualify for other specific permits, the General Work Permit is an important option to explore. This permit allows non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to work in a wide range of occupations and industries in Ireland. Acquiring a GWP can be complicated and lengthy, unlike the CSEP. One of the key reasons is the Labour Market Needs Test. In Ireland, companies must demonstrate that they have made a significant effort to find an Irish or European citizen to fill the position. To achieve this, they advertise the position for a sufficient time, usually 28 days, in Ireland and the EU. And, if no qualified applicant can be found, the business may hire a worker who requires an employment permit which can be you in this case. This is known as the Labour Market Needs Test. The application for an employment permit which in this case is your ‘General Work Permit’, must demonstrate that a Labour Market Needs Test was completed. There are exemptions. For instance, certain professionals and work permit categories in Ireland don’t require a labour market test, such as those in high demand or with skill shortages under CSEP. I guess this is pretty similar to LMIA in Canada. Do note that CSEP from India is a little easier, but getting a GWP directly from India is rare and time-consuming. 

Eligibility Criteria

If you are offered a job that meets the criteria listed below, you or your employer may apply for a general employment permit.

• You must be paid at least €30,000 annually 
• You must not have one of the prohibited professions
• The employer has conducted a Labour Market Needs Test
• The “50/50 rule” states that at least half of a company’s or organisation’s staff must be EU residents

How to apply?

• You or your employer may submit an application for a general employment permit to the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment’s Employment Permits Section.
• Using the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), submit your application online with supporting documents. You can apply using the General Employment Permit Checklist.
• You or your company are required to pay a €1,000 (88,803 INR) charge. You will receive 90% of your application cost returned if your application is rejected.

For more information on General Work Permit, click here.

If you’re an employee of a multinational company seeking an opportunity to work in Ireland, the ICT Employment Permit offers an attractive pathway. This permit allows multinational companies to transfer key personnel from their overseas branches to their Irish operations, facilitating the seamless transfer of skills and expertise.

In today’s globalised economy, multinational companies often require the mobility of their employees to meet business needs and promote cross-border collaboration. The ICT Employment Permit caters to this demand, enabling companies to bring their skilled employees to work in Ireland for a specific period. There are so many Indians, mostly those with over 7-8 years of work experience, who are moving to Ireland through this route.

Eligibility Criteria

The following positions are the only ones that qualify for intra-company transfer employment permits in terms of the requirements linked to the foreign national:

• Senior management receiving at least €40,000 in annual compensation
• Key employees receiving a minimum annual salary of €40,000; or Employees enrolled in a training programme receiving a minimum yearly salary of €30,000

How to apply?

• Application for an Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit must be made by the related party, which is the Irish branch.
• Any application for a work visa must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the anticipated start date of the job.
• An application can be submitted online on the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). 
• Documents required
  • The amount of the basic pay paid by the foreign employer to the foreign national at the time of application
  • If the base wage is less than the National Minimum Wage or the rate of pay established by or pursuant to any statute, the foreign employer shall pay the foreign national an additional amount
  • The sum of the amounts mentioned 
  • All deductions that the foreign employer must make from the sums mentioned
  • The amount to be paid to the foreign national during the time the employment permit is to be issued, less any deductions mentioned above, with respect to the total amount referred

Also Read: UAE Golden Visa for Indian Citizens