Hiring process and timelines for non-EEA staff

We help employers plan non-EEA recruitment from the job offer through to arrival and registration. A clear timetable keeps HR, the candidate and the hiring manager informed about each stage.

Start with the offer and permit route

The application needs a confirmed job offer that meets the employment permit requirements. The Department expects a contract of employment signed by both parties with each application, so the role, salary, location, hours and duties need to be clear before the form is submitted.

At this point the employer should confirm the permit route. A Critical Skills Employment Permit may be possible for eligible occupations and salary levels. A General Employment Permit covers a broader range of roles, subject to ineligible occupations, remuneration rules and often a Labour Market Needs Test.

If the Labour Market Needs Test applies, it happens before the permit application. The Department says the EURES advertisement must have been published for at least 28 days before a valid application can be submitted, and the Labour Market Needs Test page also requires an additional online platform.

Submitting the employment permit application

The employment permit application is made through Employment Permits Online. The Department says the form, supporting documents and fee, where applicable, place the application in the relevant processing queue by employer type and permit type.

The Department also says an application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date. Allow for this period when agreeing the proposed start date with the candidate.

Processing dates change as applications are assessed. On 04 September 2026 the Department’s current processing page showed different dates for Critical Skills, General Employment Permit, other new applications, renewals and reviews. Employers should check the live page before promising a start date.

What can run in parallel

Document collection can run in parallel with recruitment checks. The employer can gather Revenue and company details, the signed contract, job description, location information, workforce details and Labour Market Needs Test evidence while the candidate prepares passport, qualification and experience documents.

The candidate can also begin preparing visa documents. A visa-required candidate can gather documents and check the Immigration Service Delivery employment visa page before the permit decision, but the visa application itself depends on the employment permit being granted.

Employers can prepare payroll setup, equipment and induction arrangements in advance. The final start date remains conditional on the permit, any required visa, travel and entry to the State.

What has to wait

The employee cannot start work in the State until the correct permission is in place. Immigration Service Delivery states that a person who wants to work in Ireland and is outside the EEA, Switzerland and the UK will need a valid employment permit or another appropriate permission first.

For a visa-required national, the employment visa stage follows the employment permit. ISD’s employment visa page explains that the employment permit is issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the visa process is handled through the immigration system.

After arrival, a person staying in Ireland for more than 90 days must register their immigration permission. Registration records the permission to remain in Ireland and results in an Irish Residence Permit where the application is successful.

Common recruitment delays

A candidate’s availability does not determine when they can start work in Ireland. Agree the start date with HR after allowing for permit, visa and registration requirements.

The employment permit and visa serve different purposes. The permit authorises the specified employment, while the visa, where required, allows travel to Ireland.

Check whether the Labour Market Needs Test is required before finalising the recruitment timetable. Its advertising period must be completed before the permit application.

Keep travel and onboarding arrangements provisional until the permit and any required visa have issued. This includes flights, tenancy dates and payroll cut-offs.

Common questions

Can the employee apply for an Irish employment visa before the permit is granted?

Immigration Service Delivery says a person who wishes to work in Ireland needs an employment permit first, unless a different permission applies. For a visa-required national, the visa stage comes after the employment permit grant.

How early should we start the employment permit application?

The Department says an application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date. If the role also needs a Labour Market Needs Test, the advertising period has to be completed before the permit application is submitted.