Jobs | Employee Permit Guidelines

• A hosting agreement allows third-country researchers to carry out research in the EU.
• Negating the need for a work permit, researchers can be recruited swiftly and efficiently. 
• Only researchers on contracts issued by universities or other accredited organisations can avail of the Hosting Agreement scheme in Ireland. 

Eligibility and criteria

A hosting agreement applies to non-EU national academic research staff with an appropriate higher education qualification.

Typical positions include: 

• Research assistant 
• Postdoctoral researcher
• Research fellow 
• Senior research fellow 
• Lecturer engaged in research

It does not cover technical, administrative or academic staff, or lecturers not engaged in research. 

The minimum salary threshold for applications is:

• €23,181 if you don’t have dependants
• €30,000 if you have dependants

Application timeframe

Although the timeframe for application approval is swift – typically 1-2 weeks – the line manager and applicant need to bear in mind that other factors can significantly lengthen the application process. 

These include:

• Funding approval confirmation
• Staff request approval and contract issue 
• Entry visa requirements and international post 

Therefore, all new hosting agreement applications must be prepared at least eight weeks in advance of the proposed start or renewal date (please see the Applying for a Hosting Agreement Section).

Application fee

There is no application fee required for a hosting agreement.

Immigration fees related to visa and Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration apply. Hosting agreements are linked to the contract of employment offered by the relevant employer in Ireland.

Key provisions and benefits

• The duration of the scheme must be for a minimum of 91 days to permanent employment
• Allows for immediate family reunification, for example,  a researcher can bring their immediate family (spouses and children only) to Ireland from the start of their employment
• Application process is swift (excluding visa application process)
• After two years, an individual can apply for a GNIB card Stamp 4
• No application fee involved

Applying for a hosting agreement

For further information on applying for a hosting agreement, please email askhr@dcu.ie, who will direct you to the relevant DCU People  Business Partner.

Further information 

• Hosting Agreement Scheme terms and conditions can be found on EURAXESS, an organisation providing information and support for researchers seeking hosting opportunities.

• For information and guidance for applicants requiring visas, visit ISD website. 

• For a list of accredited research organisations, visit the DFHERIS website. 

Alternatively, you can contact Dr Magdalena Wislocka (Head of EURAXESS Ireland) at the Irish Universities Association EURAXESS Research Mobility Office. 

This office provides researchers with comprehensive advice on research mobility in Europe and the Hosting Agreement scheme.

The general employment permit has replaced the old work employment permit. 

General employment permits are used by the State to attract non-EU nationals for occupations experiencing a labour or skills shortage.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met to successfully obtain a work permit:

1. Annual salary on offer is €30,000 or more (in exceptional cases the salary can be under €30,000)
2. The category of occupation must be deemed eligible
3. The applicant must have the qualifications, skills and experience relevant to the particular role

Ineligible job categories

The following job categories are deemed ineligible in applying for a work permit:

• All clerical and administrative positions
• All general operative and labourer positions
• All operator and production positions

Access a more comprehensive list of categories. 

Application timeframe

As the processing timeframe can vary significantly, please access the Government website for an accurate estimate at the time of application.

New and renewal permit applications should be prepared well in advance of the proposed start or renewal date (please see the Applying for a Work Permit Section).

Application fees

Applications where the non-EEA national’s first employment permit in the state was received on or after 1 October 2014.

Key provisions and benefits

• Linked to the contract of employment offered by the relevant employer
• A labour market test (if applicable) must be completed in advance of the application
• Family reunification can take place after a one year waiting period
• Permit not required after five consecutive years of holding a permit. A Stamp 4 can then be applied for
• An application fee must be submitted. The fee amount is linked to the duration of the permit

The application process

• An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date
• An application can be made online on the Employment Permits Online System. A user guide on the online system takes applicants through the process and details the documentary requirements for each employment permit type
• Before you start your application, please see our General Employment Permit Checklist

There are up to three stages in the employment permit application process:

1. Application received: Once an application is submitted with the associated fees, it is placed in a processing queue depending on the employer type,  trusted partner or standard. 

Please note, applications are processed strictly in date order by employer type. Applicants can keep track of our current processing dates and check the progress of their specific application on our Online Status Update Enquiry facility.

2. Processing stage: The application is considered by a decision maker.

The processor may request additional information, which should be returned within 28 days. The processor will then either grant an application or refuse it for specific reasons.

3. Review: If an applicant wants a refusal decision to be reviewed, they have 28 days to do so on the prescribed Submission of a Decision for Review Form. 

The review will be considered by a separate, more senior official. The confirmation of a refusal decision on review does not prevent the applicant from submitting a new application, following all of the relevant procedures for the specific employment permit type.

Further information on work permits

Work permit terms and conditions can be found on the Government website. 

For direct assistance on all employment permit matters, please contact askhr@dcu.ie, who will direct your query to the relevant Business Partner.

The Critical Skills Employment Permit has replaced the Green Card type employment permit. It is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market and encourage them to take up permanent residence in the State.

Critical Skills Employment Permits are issued for occupations where a high-level strategic skills shortage exists. They are issued for two years, and therefore, an application is dependent on a job offer of two years or more. Permits are issued to individual employers and are not transferable.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met to successfully obtain a Critical Skills Employment Permit:

• Occupations with a minimum annual remuneration of €32,000 for a restricted number of strategically important occupations contained in the Critical Skills Occupations List. Applicants need a relevant degree qualification or higher.
• All occupations with a minimum annual remuneration of over €64,000, other than those on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits or contrary to the public interest. A non-EEA national without a degree qualification or higher must have the necessary level of experience.
• Job offer must be for two years or more.
• The applicant must have the qualifications, skills and experience relevant to the particular role.

Application timeframe

As the processing timeframe can vary significantly, please read access the Government website for an accurate estimate at the time of application. 

Critical Skills Employment Permit applications should be prepared well in advance of the proposed start or renewal date (please see the Applying for a Critical Skills Employment Permit Section).

Application fee

A €1,000 fee applies for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.

Key provisions and benefits

• Linked to the contract of employment offered by the relevant employer.
• The contract must be for a period of two years or more.
• Allows for immediate family reunification.
• Application process is swift (excluding visa application process).
• After two years, an individual can apply for a GNIB card Stamp 4.

Applying for a Critical Skills Employment Permit

For further information on applying for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, please visit the Government webpage or contact askhr@dcu.ie, who will direct you to the relevant HR Business Partner for further information.

Further information

For further information on Critical Skill Visas and conditions relating to Green Card Permits, please visit the Government webpage.  

A Spouse and/or dependant of an existing employment permit holder can apply for a Spousal/Dependant permit in order to legally undertake employment in the State.

Eligibility

The spouse or dependant must be legally resident in the State on the basis of being a dependant of an employment permit holder. The employment permit holder must have one of the following:

• A valid Hosting Agreement
• A valid Critical Skill Visa
• A valid Work Permit of 12 months or more where the first work permit application was received by the DETI before 1 June 2009
• A valid Working Visa issued before 31 December 2006
• A valid Work Authorisation issued before 31 December 2006

NB. The employment permit holder must still be working within the terms of their employment permit.

Application Timeframe

As the processing timeframe can vary significantly please refer to the following link for an accurate estimate of timeframe at time of application http://www.deti.ie/labour/workpermits/processingdates.htm Applications should be prepared well in advance of the proposed start or renewal date (please see the Applying for a Spousal/Dependant Permit Section).

Application Fee

There is no application fee applicable.

Key Provisions & Benefits

• The permit is linked to the main employment permit holder, .i.e. the employment permit holder must still be working within the terms of their employment permit
• Allows for the individual any type of work, i.e. there are no ineligible job categories
• There is no application fee required

Applying for a Spousal Dependant Permit

For further information on applying for a Spousal/Dependant permit please click on the following link Applying for a Spousal/Dependant Permit and or contact askhr@dcu who will direct you to the relevant HR Business Partner for further guidance.

Further Information on Spousal Dependant Permits

All terms and conditions relating to Spousal/Dependant permits can be found at: http://www.djei.ie/labour/workpermits/spousaldependantemploymentpermit.htm

Third level graduate programme

What is the third level graduate programme?

This programme allows legally resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised Irish awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of twelve months.

Purpose of programme

This should be for the purpose of seeking graduate level employment and applying for a general employment permit, a critical skills employment permit or research hosting agreement.

The details of the revised programme are set out in the policy document which can be accessed here. Graduates wishing to avail of the scheme are advised to read this document in detail.

What documents do I require?

• A copy of the award granted to you
• Your passport
• Medical insurance
• You must pay a fee of €300 per person to register.

How to apply

• Information on registering a graduate permission.

For further information on the Third level graduate programme, please click here.

NB. A person who is no longer legally resident will be obliged to leave the State.