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Ireland has launched a public consultation to review the occupations eligible for employment permits, aiming to address skill shortages and support economic growth.
Key Points:
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has launched its new Employment Permits Online system (EPOS).
Additional Information: The Irish government began sweeping changes to key immigration programs, including what the government called the “largest ever expansion to the employment permits system,” in 2023. As of March 10, certain changes to the employment permits system were in effect to address skills shortages in Ireland’s planning and home care sectors.
An updated 100-page FAQ on Ireland’s employment permits can be accessed here.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment announced an increased quota of employment permits for car mechanics, HGV and bus mechanics and vehicle body builders and repairers.
Additional Information: Ireland’s policy is to promote the sourcing of labor and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Union and other European Economic Area states. Ireland’s employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits that exist and are likely to continue into the medium term.
Irish officials are implementing new measures to support the home care and planning sectors, expanding visa requirements for certain nationals and working on a new employment permits system.
Additional Information: As BAL has reported, the Irish government is currently undertaking sweeping changes to key immigration programs, including what the government called the “largest ever expansion to the employment permits system.” Officials recently have increased minimum salary thresholds as well as enacted the Employment Permits Act 2024 as they continue to make significant changes to their employment-based immigration system to modernize and relax certain restrictive policies.
DETE is leading the government’s digital strategy to develop a strong digital ecosystem to increase Ireland’s competitiveness. DETE’s Minister Peter Burke recently published a progress update on the government’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which is meant to address regional innovation gaps and opportunities by accelerating digital transformation to support economic competitiveness.
As part of that effort, the new modern cloud-based employment permits system is being developed by DETE to make the application process easier and more secure, resulting in more streamlined processing. Downtime in the current system should be expected prior to the launch, and additional details on the new system are expected to be provided soon. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Irish officials provided current processing dates for employment permits.
Additional Information: Irish officials stated they are processing reviews for Trusted Partner and Standard permit applications received on Nov. 27, 2024. They also stated that due to the number of refunds on hand, it is currently taking eight weeks from date of receipt of completed mandate to process refunds.
Irish officials announced all Labor Market Access (LMA) permits will be issued via email beginning Jan. 29 for individuals under the international protection process.
Additional Information: Previously, officials issued LMA permits in person via hard copy. Eligible international protection applicants can apply for permission to work and be granted LMA permission. This permission then allows access to employment and is valid for 12 months.
Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will now have the primary responsibility of managing all initial Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing in all counties.
Additional Information: To book an appointment and register a first-time immigration residence permission, individuals can access an account in the Digital Contact Centre. Irish authorities have provided a step-by-step user guide on ISD services, and more information can be found here.
Officials provided a reminder that nationals of a country outside the European Union, European Economic Area, United Kingdom or Switzerland must register for an Irish immigration residence permission in order to be able to work, study, live or join family for more than 90 days in Ireland.
Irish officials announced that certain individuals will be allowed to travel this holiday season on a recently expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, effective through Jan. 31, 2025.
Additional Information: According to the announcement, individuals should download and print the travel notice and present it, along with their expired IRP card and proof of their renewal application, to immigration authorities and airlines. Applications for renewals will continue to be processed as quickly as possible, but residents who intend to travel internationally this upcoming holiday season should submit their renewal applications and plan accordingly.
BAL Analysis: Ireland’s Immigration Services Registration Office is experiencing a backlog in processing registrations across several locations and estimates two additional weeks to receive an IRP card via mail after completion of a registration. Irish authorities are currently undertaking the largest-ever expansion of the Employment Permits System and announced sweeping changes to key immigration programs to make it easier for non-EU/EEA nationals to work in key jobs. The government also recently announced the launch of a new online immigration self-service portal in an effort to modernize its systems and relax certain restrictive policies.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Irish officials announced the launch of a new online immigration self-service portal.
Additional Information: Officials stated that almost half the questions received by Immigration Service Delivery are application status updates. The government is in the process of modernizing its immigration systems, and the Digital Contact Center is designed to provide faster, more efficient service and allow users to track their immigration applications online.
Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will now have the primary responsibility of managing renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing in all counties.
Additional Information: Online renewal applications can now be submitted for all counties nationwide. Applications for renewal of residence permission, including when changing Stamp category, are now accepted nationwide by the Registration Office up to 12 weeks prior to expiration of a current Irish immigration residence permit card to allow sufficient time for processing.
Applicants who need to register permission for the first time will continue to book an appointment to register at Burgh Quay in Dublin if residing in counties Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Meath, Kildare or Wicklow. Applicants in all other counties must contact the local Garda Immigration Office for details on how to register.
BAL Analysis: This is a welcome change for IRP cardholders in all counties and will provide increased convenience and easier processing for renewal registrations. Irish authorities have provided a step-by-step user guide on ISD services, and more information can be found here.