A non-EEA national, except in certain specific cases, requires an employment permit to take up employment in Ireland. The EEA (European Economic Area) comprises the Member States of the European Union together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
It is an offence under the Employment Permits Acts 2003, 2006 & 2024 for both an employer and an employee to have a non-EEA National in employment without an appropriate employment permit.
Employment permit holders can only work for the employer and in the occupation named on the permit. If the holder of an employment permit ceases, for any reason, to be employed by the employer named on the permit during the period of validity of the permit, the original permit and the certified copy must be returned immediately to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The issuing and administration of Employment Permits on behalf of the State is handled by the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment from its offices at Earlsfort Centre, Lower hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 PW01.
Further full information in relation to Employment Permits (who needs a permit, how to apply, fees, etc.,) are available on the Employment Permits Section of the website of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
A facility to allow an employee or an employer to make an online application for a new Employment Permit, or to renew an existing permit is in place. The online portal may be accessed on https://epos.djei.ie/