General Employment Permit Ireland: Eligibility, How to Apply, & More

The General Employment Permit Ireland offers is a work visa that allows foreign nationals to work in Ireland in specific job roles. If you are a student planning to work abroad, specifically in Ireland after your studies, this permit could be your gateway to gaining valuable work experience. It’s designed for non-EU/EEA nationals who have secured a job offer from an Irish employer. The permit allows you to apply for a job in Ireland for up to 2 years and can be extended. In this blog, you will learn all about the General Employment Permit Ireland work visa, its eligibility requirements, processing time, the application process, and more details.

Particulars	Details
Name	General Employment Permit Ireland
Fee of New Permit	6 months or less- EUR 500 More than 6 months to 24 months- EUR 1,000
Fee of Renewal Permit	6 months or less- EUR 750 More than 6 months to 36 months- EUR 1,500
Validity	2 years Can be renewed for an additional 3 years

What Is the General Employment Permit in Ireland?

The General Employment Permit is designed to attract third-country nationals to fill labour shortages in various occupations in Ireland. Unlike the Critical Skills Employment Permit, this permit does not restrict eligibility to specific professions but allows a broader range of occupations, unless explicitly excluded. It is ideal for applicants with job offers in occupations facing a skill shortage.

Who Can Apply for a General Employment Permit?

Both the foreign national and the employer can initiate the application for a General Employment Permit before you arrive. The permit is granted to the foreign national, while a certified copy is sent to the employer. This allows the employee to work in Ireland under the specified conditions, including job location and role.

If you’re already in Ireland and hold a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) with Stamp 1, 1G, 2, 2A, or 3 permission, you can apply for the permit without leaving the country. However, if you have Stamp 4, you don’t need an employment permit to work. If your Stamp 4 is about to expire and can’t be renewed, you’ll need to apply for an employment permit to continue working. Here are the basic requirements you need to fulfil to obtain the  General Employment Permit Ireland:

1. Salary: The job pays at least €34,000 per year. 

• If your job pays €30,000 annually, you can still apply to work as a meat processing operative or a horticultural operative.
• If your job pays €27,000 annually, you can apply for a healthcare assistant (you must have a Level 5 QQI qualification or similar, or earn one within 2 years) or a home carer (you must have or earn a Level 5 QQI qualification within 2 years).

2. Eligible Jobs: The job cannot be on Ireland’s list of ineligible occupations.

3. Labour Market Test: Your employer has to prove they tried to hire someone from Ireland or the EEA before offering the job to you.

4. 50:50 Rule: At least half of the workers in the company must be from the EEA.

Eligible Jobs for a General Work Permit in Ireland

You can apply for any job that isn’t on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits with certain conditions such as:

• The employer is a registered business in Ireland.
• You have the necessary qualifications, skills, or experience for the job.
• The employer has completed a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) (explained below).

What Is the Labour Market Needs Test?

The Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) ensures employers first try to hire Irish or EEA workers. They must advertise the job for a certain time before offering it to someone needing a work permit. Moreover, there are certain conditions such as:

• The job must be advertised for at least 28 days on online platforms like the Jobs Ireland website and European Employment Services (EURES). 
• The job ad must include details about the employer’s name, job description, salary, location, and weekly working hours.

Once the test is completed, you have 90 days to apply for your permit.

When is LMNT Not Required?

You don’t need to complete an LMNT if:

• You held a permit before and were made redundant (and notified DETE).
• The job is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
• The job was recommended by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.
• You work as a carer for someone with serious medical needs who depends on you.
• The job pays more than €64,000 annually.
• You’re switching jobs under an existing permit.

Do Check Out:

• Ireland Work Visa for Indians: Types, Eligibility
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Ireland Work Permit Requirements

To apply for a General Employment Permit in Ireland, you must meet certain requirements to be eligible. These criteria ensure that you are qualified for the job role and able to support yourself during your stay. 

• A valid job offer from an employer in Ireland
• Proof of minimum annual remuneration of at least or above EUR 30,000 – EUR 34,000
• Relevant skills and experience for the role
• Copy of passport
• Passport photo
• Evidence of private health insurance or public health scheme enrollment

General Employment Permit Ireland Application Process

There are 3 stages in the application process of the General Employment Permit Ireland. The first stage is when you will submit the form. The 2nd stage is the processing stage in which your your application will be either approved or rejected. The 3rd and final stage is the review stage in which applicants whose applications are rejected can request a review within 28 days.  

If you are applying for the General Employment Permit Ireland, the best thing is to submit your application early. Make sure your application is submitted at least 12 weeks before the job’s start date. 

1. Go to the official Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) website to start the process. 
2. Click on “Help me choose Employment Permit Application Form” if you are using this system for the first time.
3. Next, click on “I am an Employee”.
4. Choose whether you want to renew an existing permit or apply for a new permit to get the suitable application form. 
5. Enter the necessary information such as your passport number and name. Click Proceed once you are done. 
6. Next, continue filling out the form. You will see a MyWork ID once you have provided the required information. This ID will help you pause and resume your application for up to 28 days. 
7. Once all the sections in the form are completed, double-check everything and follow the instructions on your screen to submit it. 

You can even choose to download your final form as a PDF before submitting it. 

How Long Does it Take to Process a General Work Permit in Ireland?

Once the application is submitted, it will take approximately 28 working days to process the General Employment Permit. During this period, applicants will be notified whether their application has been approved or denied.

Immigration and Registration 

If you’re approved for a General Employment Permit and live outside Ireland, you’ll need a visa to enter Ireland. When you arrive in Ireland, you must show your employment permit to the immigration officer at the airport or port.

Once you arrive, you must register with the local registration office in the area where you’ll be living. After registration, you’ll receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP). If you’re already in Ireland with a different immigration permission, you need to visit the registration office to update your registration.

Bringing Your Family with a General Work Permit in Ireland

If you have a General Employment Permit, your family can join you in Ireland after 1 year. For this, you need to prove that you can support your family financially by earning more than the required amount for the Working Family Payment. Some other things to keep in mind include:

• If your family members are from a country that needs a visa to enter Ireland, they must apply for individual visas.
• If they are from a country that doesn’t require a visa, they must show proof that they are your family when they arrive in Ireland.

How Long Is the General Employment Permit Valid?

A General Employment Permit can be issued for an initial period of 2 years and can then be renewed for up to a further 3 years. You can renew your permit online through the Employment Permit Online System (EPOS). Be sure to apply at least 16 weeks before your permit expires.

After you’ve had a General Employment Permit for 57 months, you can apply for Stamp 4 permission. Stamp 4 holders don’t need an employment permit to work. After living in Ireland for 5 years, you can even apply for citizenship through naturalisation.

Do Check Out:

• Stay in Ireland After Graduation with Post Study Work Visa
• How to Get PR in Ireland After Study?
• Know About Ireland Post Study Work Visa Requirements 

Changing Your Job with a General Employment Permit 

Starting from 2 September 2024, General Employment Permit holders can change to a new employer after 9 months (previously 12 months) in the same profession. For this, you don’t need to apply for a new permit. However, you must stay within the same field.

Some conditions for changing jobs are:

• You can apply for a job change up to 3 times.
• A new employment contract must be signed with the new employer.
• You must begin the new job within 1 month of the permit being reissued.
• You can’t start the new job until the new permit is granted.
• Also, starting 2 September 2024, you can be promoted or move to a new position within the same company, as long as the new job uses the same skills and is still eligible.

Losing your Job

If you’re made redundant, you need to notify the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment within 28 days using the redundancy form. You’ll have 6 months to find a new job. If you get a new job, you can apply for a new General Employment Permit.

You’ll also need to contact your local immigration office to check your immigration status:

• If you have more than 6 months left on your immigration permission, you can stay in Ireland for another 6 months.
• If you have less than 6 months left, you may be able to extend your permission for another 6 months by paying for a new IRP.
• If you don’t find a new job after 6 months, you may need to leave Ireland. But if you get another job offer, you can apply for a new employment permit.

General Employment Permit Ireland Fee

The fees for a General Employment Permit in Ireland depend on the type and duration of the permit. Here is a breakdown of the different fees for both new applications and renewals:

Type of Employment Permit	Duration	Processing Fee
New General Employment Permit	6 months or less	EUR 500
New General Employment Permit	More than 6 months to 24 months	EUR 1,000
Renewal of Employment Permit	6 months or less	EUR 750
Renewal of Employment Permit	More than 6 months to 36 months	EUR 1,500

Bonus Tip: Reasons for General Employment Permit Refusals

A General Employment Permit (GEP) in Ireland can be refused for a number of reasons such as:

• Incomplete Documentation: A General Employment Permit application may be refused if the required documents are missing or incorrect. It is essential to provide all requested documents in the specified format to ensure a smooth application process.
• Failure to Meet the Required Criteria: The application may be rejected if the job does not meet the specified criteria, such as the qualifications, skills, or experience required for the position.
• Job Position on the Ineligible List of Occupations: If the job position applied for is listed on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits, the application will not be approved. 
• Failure to Meet Salary Requirements: Applicants must meet the minimum salary threshold for the job position to qualify for a General Employment Permit. If the offered salary does not meet the required amount, the application will be refused.

FAQs

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This blog was all about the General Employment Permit Ireland. Curious to explore more about career opportunities overseas? If so, check out the blogs on Jobs Abroad and Visa sections by Leverage Edu for expert advice.