Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit

At a Glance

Item	Details
Permit name	Dependant Employment Permit
Application fee	Free of charge
Initial duration	Up to 2 years
Renewal duration	Up to 3 years
Application timing	At least 12 weeks before start
Work rights	Permitted; excludes domestic operative jobs
Minimum remuneration	At or above National Minimum Wage
Study rights	Full-time education not permitted
Labour Market Needs Test	Not required
Immigration status	Upgrades from Stamp 3 to Stamp 1
Long-term residency	Eligible for temporary Stamp 4 after 5 years
Travel facility	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Not stated in the source

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Purpose & Overview

The Dependant Employment Permit allows eligible dependants of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders or researchers on a Hosting Agreement to work lawfully in Ireland.

Exemption for Spouses and De-Facto Partners

Spouses and de-facto partners of CSEP holders and researchers under a Hosting Agreement do not need an employment permit. Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) grants them permission to reside on Stamp 1 conditions, granting direct access to the labour market. Other eligible dependants still require a Dependant Employment Permit to take up employment.

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Eligibility Criteria

Dependant Eligibility

To qualify, a dependant must:

• Be determined as a dependant of a primary permit holder or researcher by the Department of Justice;
• Reside in Ireland on a continuous basis since arrival;
• Reside with the primary permit holder or researcher;
• Not be in full-time education;
• Hold a valid job offer in Ireland;
• Currently reside within the State (applications for dependants residing outside Ireland are not accepted).

Primary Permit Holder / Researcher Criteria

The primary permit holder or researcher must be actively working within the terms of their permission and hold:

• A valid Critical Skills Employment Permit, or
• Permission to reside under the Scheme for admission of Third Country Researchers to Ireland (Hosting Agreement), or
• Permission from the Department of Justice to work without a permit after previously holding a Green Card Permit, CSEP, or Hosting Agreement.

Employer confirmation: The application must include an employer letter dated within the preceding 3 months confirming the primary permit holder's continued employment and job title.

Ineligible Categories

Employment permits under this scheme are not provided to non-EEA dependants/spouses/civil partners of:

• Irish nationals
• EU nationals
• Non-EEA nationals holding other employment permit types

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Employer Requirements

• Registration: Employers must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and (where applicable) the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies, and actively trading in Ireland.
• Direct Employment: A direct employer/employee relationship must exist, with salary paid directly by the employer.
• 50:50 Rule: At least 50% of the employer's workforce must be EEA nationals at the time of application. An exception applies if the applicant will be the sole employee of the enterprise.
• Labour Market Needs Test: Employers are not required to advertise the position before offering it.

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Permit Rights and Conditions

• Eligible Roles: All occupations are eligible except for domestic operatives.
• Pay: Must meet or exceed the National Minimum Wage.
• 9-Month Rule: Permit holders are expected to stay with their initial employer for at least 9 months before applying for a permit with a new employer, unless:
  • The permit holder is made redundant;
  • Unforeseen circumstances fundamentally change the employment relationship.
• Transfer of Undertakings: If an employer changes due to a transfer of undertakings under SI No 131 of 2003, the employer must submit the prescribed notification form.
• Separation: If the dependant separates from the primary permit holder, the permit cannot be renewed under this scheme.

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Duration and Renewals

Permit Duration

• Initial Permit: Issued for the remaining duration of the primary holder’s permit/stamp, up to a maximum of 2 years.
• Renewal: Issued for the duration of the primary holder's permission, up to a maximum of 3 years.

Renewal Process

• Applications can be submitted online within 4 months before to 1 month after permit expiry.
• Permit holders may continue working while their timely renewal application is being processed.

5-Year Exemption (Stamp 4)

Non-EEA nationals who have held valid Dependant Employment Permits and worked lawfully for a consecutive period of 5 years or more may apply to the Department of Justice for a temporary Stamp 4, exempting them from further employment permit requirements.

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Application Steps

1. Job Offer: Secure an eligible job offer meeting minimum wage requirements.
2. Online Submission: Submit the application at least 12 weeks before the intended employment start date via Employment Permits Online.
3. Processing: Applications are processed in date order by employer type (Trusted Partner or Standard). Additional information requests must be answered within 28 days.
4. Registration with Immigration: Once the permit is granted, the holder must notify the Garda National Immigration Bureau / ISD to update their immigration permission from Stamp 3 to Stamp 1.
5. Appeals / Review: Refusals can be submitted for review within 28 days using the prescribed review form.

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Important Obligations & Cancellation

• Permit Cancellation: Under section 43(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2024, if employment ends for any reason, the permit must be returned to the Department within 4 weeks of termination (a PDF copy emailed to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie). Failure to comply is an offence.