Ireland Seasonal Employment Permit 2024 (Application Process)

If you are a non-EEA national and looking for seasonal Jobs in sectors such as home care, health care assistant, chef, and horticultural worker, then you need to apply for the ‘General Employement Permit’. Other sectors, such as tourism and construction are also included. The seasonal workers must be paid 12.70 euros. It is a National Minimum Wage. As a non-European, you also need a long-stay D-visa which permits you to travel to Ireland.

The permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), allowing citizens to work specific jobs in the country. Seasonal work falls under the “General Employement Permit” to attract 3rd country nationals for occupations that are experiencing a labor or skills shortage. It is a permit that enables non-EEA nationals to take up employment in Ireland and is open to all occupations. However, some highly skilled professionals are not eligible for the “General Employment Permit”. There are 9 different types of employment permits and we have discussed those in our previous article. You can read Ireland’s Work Visa Process and Types of Employment Permits.

Eligibility Criteria for an Ireland Seasonal Employment Permit

Since the seasonal workers come under the “General Employment Permit” so we have to follow the rules of the Ireland General Employment Permit.

• A Valid Job offer is required.
• A valid entry visa, if required.
• A valid employment permit.
• A certificate of registration called an Irish Residence Permit is issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) or local Immigration Officer after you arrive in Ireland.
• The minimum annual salary of €30,000 in the case of employment as a Horticulture worker or meat Processor Operative and €27,000 in case you are employed as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) or home Support Worker.

How to Apply for the Irish Seasonal Employment Permit?

Before applying for employment an applicant must ensure that he/she has secured a job offer with an Irish employer.

Once the Job has been offered, the applicant will start collecting the necessary documents. For the documents please use this checklist prepared by the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).

An employment application can be made online on the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). Your employer will apply for the Seasonal Employment Permit on your behalf to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).

How to Apply for the Irish Long Stay D Visa?

Some nationals also require a Visa that permits them to travel to Ireland. Once your employment permit is issued, you must obtain an Ireland Long Stay D-visa.

Submit your visa application with the Irish Immigration Service, including your employment permit. From this link, you can check the application process for the Ireland visa. Some countries do not require a Visa for Ireland.

Once you are in Ireland, you have to apply for a Residence Permit at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and receive your Ireland residence permit.

Validity of Permit

A General Employment Permit can be issued for an initial period of 2 years and can then be renewed for up to a further three years.

After 5 years, the applicant may apply to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) for long-term residency.

Irish Registered Companies (CRO)

The CRO’s company search can be a useful tool for anyone who needs to research a company in Ireland.

You can Search all companies at: https://www.cro.ie/Help/Using-Services/About-CRO-Company-Search

Additionally, if you need to find which company offers Employement permits to Foreign nationals you may go to the Employement Permit Statistics website and then click on “Work permits by Company”.

This will show a list of Irish companies that have been granted some work permits.

Useful Links

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