If you are a non-EEA citizen seeking to take up an offer of employment in Ireland, applying for a General Employment Permit (GEP) may be a way to secure your right to work in Ireland.
GEPs are available for any roles which are not included on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits, provided the following conditions are met:
- The employer is fully registered and trading in Ireland
- The remuneration on offer is at least €34,000 per year
- The applicant has experience which is relevant to the role
- At the time of the application, at least 50% of the employees are EEA citizens
In addition, the Labour Market Needs Test needs to be complied with before a GEP can be applied for. This means that the role needs to be advertised in a very particular way on the Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network and another recruitment website for at least 28 days before the GEP application can be submitted.
If the GEP is granted, the employee will be issued with a Stamp 1 permission which allows them to work only for the employer listed on their GEP, in the particular role they applied for.
GEPs can be granted for anywhere between 6 months and 2 years initially. The GEP can then be renewed for another 3 years provided all the conditions above continue to be met.
Family reunification options are available to GEP holders after they have been in Ireland with a GEP for at least 12 months, though entitlements will vary depending on each person’s circumstances.
After 5 years working in Ireland with GEPs, a person will be eligible to apply for Long Term Residence.
If you would like advice on whether you may be eligible for a GEP or would like our assistance with a GEP application, please do not hesitate to contact us at 01 873 5012 or info@mcgrathmullan.ie and we would be glad to assist you.
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