Internship Employment Permit

At a Glance

Item	Details
Permit name	Internship Employment Permit
Maximum stay	Up to 12 months; non-renewable
Cost	€500 (≤6 months); €1,000 (6–12 months)
Eligibility timing	Apply at least 12 weeks before start
Work rights	Limited to specified employer and occupation
Study requirements	Enrolled in degree outside Ireland
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Entry visa required if applicable
Long-term residency	Does not count toward permanent residency
Family sponsorship	Dependants must qualify independently
Labour Market Needs Test	Not required

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Purpose & Overview

The Internship Employment Permit facilitates temporary employment in Ireland for foreign nationals enrolled in full-time third-level education outside the State who need work experience to complete their qualification.

• The permit is issued to the foreign national, with a certified copy sent to the employer.
• It permits employment solely with the employer, occupation, and location(s) specified on the permit.
• The permit is valid for a maximum of 12 months and is strictly non-renewable.

Eligibility Criteria

Employee Requirements

• Student Status: Must be a full-time student (including post-graduate) pursuing a degree course or higher at a third-level institution outside Ireland.
• Eligible Employment: The internship must fall under an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
• Course Requirement: The degree program must be wholly or substantially concerned with skills shortages on the Critical Skills Occupations List, and practical experience must be an explicit requirement to complete the course.
• Return Obligation: The student must leave Ireland at the end of the internship to return to their foreign institution and complete their studies.

Employer & Remuneration Requirements

• Pay Rate: Remuneration must be at or above the Irish National Minimum Wage.
• Employer Legitimacy: The employer must be actively trading and registered with the Revenue Commissioners and (if applicable) the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies.
• Direct Employment: A direct employer–employee relationship must exist; the employee must be 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.
• Labour Market Needs Test: Not required for this permit type.

Fees & Refund Policy

• Application Fees:
  • €500 for permits valid for 6 months or less.
  • €1,000 for permits valid from 6 up to 12 months.
• Refunds: If an application is refused, 90% of the fee is refunded directly to the applicant (even if paid by a third party).
• Cost Protection: Under Section 23 of the Employment Permits Act 2006, an employer or agent may not deduct application charges, fees, or expenses from the employee's remuneration or seek to recover them.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date via Employment Permits Online. Either the foreign national or the employer may submit the application.

1. Submission & Queue: Applications are placed into a processing queue (Trusted Partner or Standard) and processed strictly in date order.
2. Processing Stage: An official examines the application. If further information is requested, it must be returned within 28 days. The application is then granted or refused.
3. Review of Refusal: Applicants may request a review of a refusal decision within 28 days using the prescribed Submission of a Decision for Review Form. Reviews are assessed by a more senior official.

Conditions, Changing Employers & Transitions

• Changing Employers: Under Section 12(1)(e) of the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended), permit holders generally cannot move to a different employer within the first 12 months. However, the Department permits an Internship Employment Permit holder to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit during that 12-month period.
• Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE): If an employer's name changes 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 be issued if terms, conditions, and locations remain identical.

Family Provisions

Dependants, partners, and spouses of Internship Employment Permit holders cannot obtain a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit through the primary holder. They must apply for an employment permit independently in their own right.

Entry, Immigration & Residency

• Visa Requirements: An Employment Permit is not an entry visa or residence permission. Visa-required nationals must apply for an entry visa online at irishimmigration.ie.
• Border Control: Entry to Ireland is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. Supporting documentation and the original Employment Permit must be presented at the port of entry.
• Garda Registration: All non-EEA permit holders must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau as soon as possible after arrival.
• Long-Term Residence: Time spent in Ireland on an Internship Employment Permit does not accrue rights toward long-term residency.

Cancellation & Mandatory Obligations

Under Section 24(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2006, if an employee ceases employment before the permit expires, the permit must be returned to the Department within 4 weeks of termination. Failure to comply is a legal offence. Once returned, the permit is cancelled and is no longer valid.