Most citizens of countries outside the European Union or European Economic Area need an employment permit to work in Ireland. Below are some of the most common types.

Short-Term Permits

• Short stay business visa: This allows travel to Ireland for up to 90 days for activities including meetings, negotiations, contracts, or paid work for 14 days or fewer based on certain rules.

• Atypical working scheme permit: This option is appropriate for types of work for which there is a skill shortage in Ireland.

Long-Term Permits and Visas

These are some of the main types of permits and visas to work in Ireland:

• General Employment Permit: For all occupations except those deemed ineligible by the state. Either the foreign national or the prospective employer may apply. The permit can be issued for an initial period of two years and can be renewed for up to another three years.

• Critical Skill Employment Visa: Applied to occupations deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland’s economy. The job duration must be a minimum of two years and the foreign national is expected to stay with the initial employer for a minimum period of 12 months.

• Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit: Designed for employees who are non-EEA nationals from an overseas branch of a multinational corporation with a branch in Ireland. Applications may be granted for up to 24 months and may be extended for up to five years.

• Contract for Services Employment Permit (CSP): This option is for situations in which a foreign business has an agreement to provide services to an Irish entity on a contract-for-services basis. Applications may be granted for up to 24 months and can be extended for a maximum of five years.

• Exchange Agreement Employment Permit: This type of permit is applicable under certain international agreements between Ireland and other countries. The issuance period varies by agreement but runs for a maximum of two years.

• Sports and Cultural Employment permit: Available to to foreign nationals with qualifications, skills, experience, or knowledge related to sporting and cultural activities. Applications may be granted for up to two years and may be renewed for a further three years.

• Internship Employment permit: Designed for foreign nationals who are full-time students employed for the purpose of gaining work experience. The permit is valid for a maximum of 12 months and is non-renewable.

Meltzer Hellrung’s services include:

• Full assessment of the applicant under existing visa laws and regulations

• Assistance at each step of the process: visa application, work authorization, residence permit, extensions, renewals, etc.

• 24/7 access to our case management system to track real-time status of applications and monitor upcoming expiration dates or other requirements

• Document procurement for legalization, attestation, police clearance certification, proof of birth/marriage/citizenship, etc.

• Accompaniment and assistance upon arrival in Ireland

Contact is to learn more about how we can help streamline the visa and immigration process.