Country Profiles

Ireland

January 2012

This summary is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered an authoritative guide on how to obtain the appropriate employment permit status for Ireland. The intent is to give the reader a general overview of the process only. Procedures and requirements may have changed since the writing of this article. For current and detailed information regarding the topics below, as well as documentary requirements, processing times, post-arrival and departure requirements, penalties for non-compliance, allowances for accompanying family members, and any other information pertaining to your specific needs, please contact your Pro-Link GLOBAL immigration professional.

Overview

BUSINESS VISITOR

Permitted Activities - Business visitors must generally limit their activities to the following:

  • Attending business meetings or discussions;
  • Making sales calls to potential clients provided that the visitor represents a commercial entity outside of Ireland;
  • Attending seminars or "fact-finding" meetings.

Type of Business Visas - Visa requirements may dependent on the nationality of the traveler. Some nationalities are visa required in that they require to formally apply for an entry visa from their local Irish embassy or consulate. Non visa required nationalities need not formally apply for an entry visa however will be subject to immigration controls on arrival in Ireland. The following are examples of the types of business visa that are available to the business traveler:

  1. Business visa;
  2. Conference visa;
  3. Performance visa.

Basic Requirements -

  1. Intention of a genuine visit for business and not for paid employment;
  2. Valid passport. For relatively new passports, copies of previous passport are also required;
  3. Evidence that there are no restrictions on his or her traveling to Ireland;
  4. No intention to permanently reside in Ireland;
  5. A ticket for onward travel from Ireland;
  6. If the applicant has ever been refused entry to another country, this must be stated and the original refusal letter from the authorities of that country submitted;
  7. Proof of funds;
  8. Evidence of travel/medical insurance.

Estimated Processing Times - This varies by diplomatic post and country.

Maximum Time On Visa - This visa allows business people to make a short business visit to Ireland for up to three months during the visa validity period. Visas cannot be extended in country.

Typical Documents Required -
All travelers need to present the following documents to officers in immigration clearance:

  • a valid passport or other acceptable travel document and in some cases;
  • a valid visa or authority to enter Ireland.

EMPLOYMENT PERMIT SCHEME

Basic Requirements - There are three corporate immigration categories for employment permitsin Ireland:

  1. Green Cards. The Green Card scheme is designed for skill shortage occupations in Ireland. No labor market test is required. Applicants paid between EUR 30,000 and EUR 59,999 must be employed in one of the specifically listed shortage occupations. Applicants paid over EUR 60,000 may be employed in any occupation, but note that all employees must be employed and paid directly by the Irish entity.
  2. General Work Permits. The work permit category is for occupations where the applicant is paid EUR 30,000 or over, is employed and paid by the Irish entity. A labor market test must be conducted for 8 weeks on the Government FAS and FAS Europe - wide websites plus 6 days both the local and national press, to prove that no suitable candidate exists within the EU/EEA labor pool. There is a list of ineligible work permit occupations.
  3. Intra Company Transfer Permits. The Intra Company Transfer (ICT) scheme is designed to facilitate the transfer of senior management, key personnel or trainees who are foreign nationals from an overseas branch of a multinational corporation to its Irish branch. ICT employees may remain employed and paid by the sending entity or they may transfer to the Irish payroll.

Process Overview - The process for obtaining an intra-company permit for skilled workers involves a four-step process summarized below:

  1. Intra-companytransfer (ICT)permit application;
  2. Entryvisa application if applicable (certain nationals only);
  3. Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration;
  4. Re-entry visa (certain nationals only).

Estimated Processing Time -Four to eight weeks, although the Irishauthorities reserve the right to take up to12 weeks to decide an application. Visa nationals will need to allow an additional 1-8 weeks' lead time for Step Two.

Validity periods -

  • Green Cards are for an initial period of 2 years;
  • Work permits are valid from 6 months - 2 years initially;
  • ICT's are from 6 months - 2 years initial.

 

Family Members -Secondary/ family dependants may not work without separate employment permit. The rules here vary according to the permit type:

  •  The spouses of Green Card holders may apply for a spousal work permit;
  • The spouses of ICT and work permit holders must apply for a standard employment permit.