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Relocating and working as a nurse or doctor in Ireland can be extremely challenging for candidates who require a working visa for the role. Below you can see the nine different types of Employment Permits granted in Ireland. With the first three more popular for Nursing and Medical Professionals.
The Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended, allows for nine different types of Employment Permits to be granted. A short description of each of the permit types is set out below. For more detailed information follow the link to the relevant permit type.
The Critical Skills Employment Permit, is targeted at highly skilled people with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence in Ireland. Occupations which are included on the Critical Skills Occupations List, such as Nurses, Medical Practitioners and Radiographers are catered for under this type of employment permit.
A General Employment Permit is an employment permit which permits the holder to be employed in the State in a broad range of occupations. Unlike Critical Skills Employment Permits, where eligible occupations are specified, General Employment Permits assume all occupations are eligible unless otherwise specified. Therefore, all occupations are eligible unless excluded under the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits. All occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List are deemed eligible.
In respect of Health Care Assistants, a minimum annual remuneration of at least €27,000 is required. This is based on a 39-hour working week. This is an hourly rate of pay of €13.31. A 40-hour week must have a minimum salary of €27,684.80. Salary refers solely to basic pay but may include Premium Payments where these are guaranteed. Salary shall not include any bonuses, shift allowances, overtime etc. It is important to note that when applying for an employment permit renewal a Health Care Assistant should have attained a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification after two years employment in the State.
The Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit allows the dependants, recognised partners (where recognised as such by the Department of Justice and Equality), civil partners and spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders (formerly Green Card employment permit holders) and of Researchers on Hosting Agreements to apply for an employment permit to work in the State. Generally, it is illegal for spouses and dependants of employment permit holders to be employed in Ireland without a valid employment permit.
The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit 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. The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit can be invaluable in the initial establishment of a foreign direct investment company. This employment permit facilitates the temporary placement of corporate or HQ personnel in the Irish affiliate while providing for such employees to stay on the foreign payroll.
Contract for Services Employment Permit replaces the Contract Service Provider type of Work Permit Employment Permit. It is designed for situations where a foreign undertaking (Contractor) has won a contract to provide services to an Irish company (Relevant Person) on a contract for services basis and to facilitate the transfer of their non-EEA employees to work on the Irish contract in Ireland.
Reactivation Employment PermitReactivation Employment Permit replaces the old type of Work Permit Employment Permit which were routed through the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland. This permit is designed to permit a non-EEA national who entered the State on a valid Employment Permit but who fell out of the system through no fault of their own or who has been badly treated or exploited in the workplace, to work legally again.
Internship Employment Permit replaces the old Internship type of Work Permit Employment Permit. It is designed to facilitate the employment in the State of non-EEA nationals who are full- time students, studying in a discipline relevant to the occupations included on the Critical Skills Occupations List and enrolled at a third level institution outside the State, for the purposes of gaining work experience.
The Sport and Cultural Employment Permit replaces the old sports professional type of Work Permit and will also cater for employment permits for the entertainment sector. This permit is designed to facilitate the employment in the State of non-EEA nationals with the relevant qualifications, skills, experience or knowledge for the development, operation and capacity of sporting and cultural activities.
The Exchange Agreement Employment Permit replaces the old Exchange Agreement type of Work Permit Employment Permit and will also cater for employment permits for international reciprocal agreements. It is designed to facilitate the employment in the State of non-EEA nationals pursuant to prescribed agreements or other international agreements to which the State is a party.
If you are considering relocation to work in Ireland as a Nurse or GP please ensure you do a thorough investigation regarding the permit and application your employer will be submitting for you. A travel visa will also be required to enter Ireland as an employee.
If you require more information please feel free to reach out today!
