Sponsoring a worker in Ireland? Here's what you need to know.
If you're hiring someone who needs an employment permit, the process has specific steps on your side as the employer. We make sure you get it right the first time.
- Hire the right people: attract and secure global talent for your team.
- Stay compliant: we ensure your business meets all immigration requirements.
- Save time & resources: we handle the process so you can focus on your business.
Clear steps. Better results.
Initial Consultation
We discuss your hiring needs and the best permit option for your business.
Sponsorship & Planning
I help you set up or review your sponsorship and plan the recruitment process.
Application Preparation
I prepare and submit the applications with accuracy and attention to detail.
Liaison & Updates
I communicate with authorities and keep you informed at every stage.
Approval & Beyond
Once approved, I support with next steps, renewals and ongoing compliance.
Written for the hiring side.
How to Sponsor a Work Permit in Ireland: An Employer's Guide
The real sequence, from confirming you can sponsor to what you're still responsible for after the permit is granted.
Employing Someone on a Work Permit in Ireland: Your Ongoing Obligations
What you're responsible for once the permit is granted: salary compliance, DETE notifications, renewals, and what happens when employment ends.
"I have found Isa very professional to deal with and very knowledgeable in her field. She explains every step of the process and has helped our companies' employees with their applications over the past few years."
Orla Naughton
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I care about your team and your success.
Integrity
Honest advice and clear communication.
Results Driven
Practical solutions that move your business forward.
Common questions answered.
After nine months on their current employment permit in Ireland, the permit holder can apply to change employer on their existing Irish work permit. DETE reissues the permit with your business named as the employer. No Labour Market Needs Test is required. The employee cannot start with you until the reissued permit arrives. A General Employment Permit ties the move to the exact 4-digit SOC code. A Critical Skills Employment Permit allows movement within a broader 3-digit SOC category. Each permit holder can use this process a maximum of three times, and the permit must have at least two months of validity remaining at the time of application.
DETE recommends allowing at least 12 weeks from the date you submit the application. If the role requires a Labour Market Needs Test, the 28-day advertising window must also be factored into the overall timeline. For Critical Skills Employment Permit applications, no Labour Market Needs Test is required, so the process can move faster. Employment permit processing times in Ireland vary depending on demand and available personnel. DETE frequently updates this on the Current Application Processing Dates page on their website. Always check it before you start.
Yes, in both cases. The spouse or de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder is granted Stamp 1G when they register, which allows them to work without a separate employment permit. Spouses and partners of General Employment Permit holders now have the same access: those arriving to join the permit holder are granted Stamp 1G, and those already in Ireland on Stamp 3 can work without an employment permit and move to Stamp 1G at renewal. Confirm the current position with Immigration Service Delivery before you rely on it in a hiring decision.
DETE issues a refusal letter explaining the reasons. 90% of the application fee is refunded to whoever paid it, whether employer or employee. You can appeal the employment permit refusal or submit a new application addressing the grounds for refusal. Some refusals come down to missing documentation. Others point to an eligibility issue that needs to be resolved first. Read the refusal letter carefully before deciding on next steps.
There is no legal requirement. Either the employer or the employee can submit the application directly. That said, professional immigration support is worth considering, especially for a first application. Errors and missing documents are among the most common causes of delays and refusals. If you want to get your application right the first time, a strategy session is the right place to start.