Immigration
Bringing Staff into Ireland
Employers in Ireland may bring people into the State to work for
them from other EEA (European Economic Area) countries without going
through any legal formalities. However, if employers in Ireland
wish to employ people from non-EEA countries then permission must
be obtained from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
This is a very short summary of two options allowing employers to
employ foreign nationals in Ireland:
- The first (and quickest) mechanism allows prospective employees
with written job offers from employers in Ireland to obtain
immigration and employment clearance in advance from an Irish
embassy or consulate by obtaining a work visa. This procedure
was introduced because of the shortage of skilled workers in
various designated sectors, including the IT sector.
- The second procedure is considerably slower and is a two-step
process, requiring the employer to obtain a work permit and
the employee to obtain a visa / residency permit
1.
Work Visa
Work Visas are issued to workers in designated sectors and must
be obtained in person at an Irish embassy or consulate. A work
visa is usually granted for a specific period. The principal disadvantage
of this process from an employer’s point of view is that
the holder of a work visa is entitled to change employers after
arrival in Ireland, provided that they continue to have authorisation
to work and reside in the country. The work visa can be renewed
at the end of its initial period.
2.
Work Permit/ Entry Visa
A
work permit is granted through the Department of Enterprise Trade
and Employment. Unlike the work visa, it is applied for by an employer
in respect of a particular employee and is specific to the employer.
On
receipt of a work permit, the prospective employee applies to the
Irish embassy for an entry visa. The application cannot be made
in Ireland. The issue of a work permit does not guarantee the issue
of an entry visa. The duration of a visa is at the discretion of
the Irish Government.
For further information or general enquiries contact: -
Patrick Ryan
Email: pryan@kilroys.ie
Telephone: +3531-439 5600
Fax: +3531-439 5601/439 5602
© Kilroys Solicitors 2002 - 2003
 |
