Exchange Agreement Employment Permit

At a Glance

Item	Details
Permit Name	Exchange Agreement Employment Permit
Stay / Validity	Up to 2 years (scheme dependent)
Cost	No fee
Eligibility Timing	Submit at least 12 weeks before start
Work Rights	Restricted to specified employer and occupation
Study Rights	Permitted under specific exchange program terms
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Long-Term Residency / Citizenship	Does not accrue long-term residency
Family Sponsorship	Not stated in the source
Labour Market Needs Test	Not required
Eligible Applicants	Foreign national or Irish employer

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Purpose and Overview

The Exchange Agreement Employment Permit facilitates the employment of foreign nationals in Ireland under prescribed international or reciprocal exchange agreements. The permit is issued to the foreign national, with a certified copy provided to the employer, permitting work exclusively in the occupation and location specified on the permit.

Permits are granted for varying durations up to a maximum of 2 years, depending on the specific exchange agreement.

Eligible Exchange Agreements

• AIESEC: Traineeships in development, education, management, or technical fields for students and recent higher education graduates. Maximum validity of 12 months (non-renewable).
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): Reciprocal technical traineeships (typically summer placements) for penultimate or final-year students in Architecture, Engineering, Information Technology, or Sciences. Maximum validity of 12 months (non-renewable).
• The Fulbright Programme: Educational, study, research, teaching, and post-doctoral exchange awards between Ireland and the United States. Maximum validity of 12 months (non-renewable).
• St Joseph’s University / University College Cork / Bord Bia Exchange: Work experience in major food companies for international food marketing students. Maximum validity of 12 months (non-renewable).
• Vulcanus In Europe Programme: One-year research traineeship and language training in a host company for Japanese engineering, science, and technology students.

Eligibility Criteria

Employer Requirements

• Must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and the Companies Registration Office (CRO) or Registry of Friendly Societies (if applicable), and actively trading in Ireland.
• Must establish a direct employer-employee relationship (the employee must be employed, salaried, and paid directly by the employer).
• 50:50 Rule: At least 50% of the firm's employees must be EEA nationals at the time of application.
• No Labour Market Needs Test is required.

Employee Requirements

• Remuneration must meet or exceed the Irish National Minimum Wage.
• Must hold the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge, or experience required for the occupation.
• Must be eligible under the applicable exchange/international agreement and supply a supporting letter from the exchange organisation.

Application Process and Fees

• Fee: There is no processing fee.
• Timing: Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date via Employment Permits Online.
• Application Stages:
  1. Queued for Processing: Applications are queued in strict date order by employer type (Trusted Partner or Standard). Current queues can be viewed via current processing dates.
  2. Processing Stage: A decision-maker assesses the case. Any requested additional information must be submitted within 28 days. The permit is then either granted or refused.
  3. Review of Decisions: If refused, a review request may be submitted within 28 days using the prescribed Submission of a Decision for Review Form. Reviews are conducted by an independent, more senior official.

Immigration, Entry, and Residency

• Entry Visa: Visa-required nationals must apply separately for an entry visa via irishimmigration.ie through their local Irish Embassy or Consulate (dfa.ie).
• Border Control: Entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The original employment permit and supporting documentation must be available for inspection.
• Registration: An employment permit is not a residence permission. Non-EEA nationals must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) as soon as possible after arriving in Ireland.
• Renewals: Residence permission must be renewed at least 1 month prior to expiry.
• Long-Term Residence: Time spent on an Exchange Agreement Employment Permit does not count toward long-term residency.

Changing Employers, Permit Changes, and Cancellations

• 12-Month Rule and Permit Switching: While permit holders generally cannot move to a new employer within their first 12 months in the State, the Department permits an Exchange Agreement Employment Permit holder to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit during that initial 12-month period.
• Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE): If an employer changes due to a transfer of employment under European Communities Regulations 2003 (SI No 131 of 2003), the employer must notify the Department via the Transfer of Undertaking form (email to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie). A new permit will issue provided terms, conditions, description, and location remain unchanged.
• Permit Cancellation: If the employment terminates or ceases for any reason before the permit expires, the permit must be returned to the Department within 4 weeks of cessation pursuant to Section 24(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2006. Failure to return the permit is an offence.