Reactivation Employment Permit

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Permit Name	Reactivation Employment Permit
Initial Stay Duration	Up to 24 months
Renewal Stay Duration	Up to 3 years (unlimited if 5+ continuous years)
First-Time Application Cost	€500 (≤6 months) or €1,000 (up to 24 months)
Renewal Cost	€750 (≤6 months), €1,500 (6–36 months), or free (5+ years same employer)
Refund Policy	90% refund to applicant if unsuccessful
Eligibility Timing	Must hold temporary Stamp 1 and DOJ Reactivation letter
Application Timing	At least 12 weeks before proposed start date
Renewal Application Window	Within 16 weeks prior to permit expiry
Work Rights	Tied to named employer, occupation, and specified location(s)
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship / Long-Term Residency	Potential after consecutive years; delays in registration may impact
Family Sponsorship	Dependants/spouses must apply separately in their own right
Visa / Permit Record	Issued to employee; certified copy sent to employer
Labour Market Needs Test	Not required
Minimum Remuneration	National Minimum Wage or higher

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Purpose

The Reactivation Employment Permit is designed to allow foreign nationals who entered Ireland on a valid Employment Permit, but fell out of the system through no fault of their own or suffered mistreatment/exploitation in the workplace, to work legally again. Except in very exceptional circumstances, the Minister will consider the issue of only one new Reactivation Employment Permit per individual under this scheme.

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Eligibility Criteria

Employee Eligibility

Applicants may be eligible if they:

• Previously entered the labour market legally on an Employment Permit, fell out of the system through no fault of their own, and remained in Ireland (even if not currently legally resident).
• Hold a current Spousal/Dependant or new Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit with changed circumstances (e.g., separation), subject to Minister for Justice approval.
• Are not currently in employment in the State and have a genuine job offer.
• Hold the relevant qualifications, skills, or experience required for the role.
• Have obtained permission from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), held a temporary Stamp 1, and received a "Reactivation Employment Permit" letter from the Department of Justice.

Ineligible Individuals

A Reactivation Employment Permit will not be granted to individuals who:

• Have already availed of this scheme and received a Reactivation Employment Permit (unless exceptional circumstances outside their control apply).
• Entered Ireland as a student or visitor without ever holding an Employment Permit.
• Held an Intra-Company Transfer, Contract Service Provider, or Internship Employment Permit and remained after expiry.
• Previously held an Employment Permit but subsequently left the State.
• Previously held an Employment Permit and a Stamp 1 residence permission but changed to another immigration Stamp.

Employer Eligibility

• Must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, where applicable, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) / Registry of Friendly Societies, and actively trading in Ireland.
• A direct employer–employee relationship must exist (salaried and paid directly).
• 50:50 Rule: At least 50% of the firm's employees must be EEA nationals at the time of application.
  • Exception: Applies if the employer has no employees at application time, the foreign national will be the sole employee, and the Minister is satisfied with this arrangement. This exception continues at renewal if the individual remains the sole employee.
• No Labour Market Needs Test is required.

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Permitted Occupations and Pay

• Occupations: All occupations are eligible, including certain carers in private homes, but excluding all other occupations in a domestic setting.
• Remuneration: Must be paid at or above the National Minimum Wage.

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Fees and Refund Rules

Permit Stage	Duration	Fee
First-Time Permit	Up to 6 months	€500
First-Time Permit	Up to 24 months	€1,000
Renewal	Up to 6 months	€750
Renewal	From 6 up to 36 months	€1,500
Renewal (5+ years with same employer)	Unlimited duration	Nil (€0)

• Refunds: If an application is refused, 90% of the fee is refunded to the applicant only (even if paid by a third party).
• Employer Deductions Prohibited: Employers or agents cannot deduct application fees or related expenses from the employee's remuneration or seek to recover those costs.

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Employment Conditions and Moving Employers

• 12-Month Rule: Permit holders are expected to stay with their initial employer for at least 12 months. A permit for a new employer cannot be considered before 12 months have elapsed, except if:
  • The holder is made redundant; or
  • Unforeseen circumstances arise that fundamentally change the employment relationship.
• Redundancy: Redundant permit holders must notify the Employment Permits Section. They have up to 6 months to find a new eligible job and apply for a new Reactivation Employment Permit. If alternative employment is not found within 6 months, they must contact immigration authorities.
• Transfer of Undertakings: If employer details change under the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations (SI No 131 of 2003) while employment terms remain identical, the employer must submit a Transfer of Undertaking Form via email to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie.

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Family Provisions

Dependants, partners, and spouses of Reactivation Employment Permit holders cannot obtain a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit based on this status; they must qualify and apply for an Employment Permit in their own right.

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Five-Year Milestone and Residence Rules

• 5+ Years Consecutive Permit Holders: Non-EEA nationals who have held valid Reactivation Employment Permits and worked lawfully for 5 or more consecutive years may no longer need an Employment Permit. They should apply directly to the Department of Justice for a temporary Stamp 4.
• Registration Obligation: An Employment Permit is not a residence permission. Holders must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau as soon as possible after receiving the permit. Immigration permission should be renewed at least 1 month before expiry.

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Application Process

Applications must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date. Either the employer or the foreign national can apply online.

1. Step 1: Obtain ISD Permission: Apply first to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) for temporary Stamp 1 permission and a Reactivation Employment Permit scheme letter.
2. Step 2: Submit Application: Apply via Employment Permits Online. Applications enter a processing queue strictly by submission date and employer type (Trusted Partner or Standard).
3. Step 3: Processing & Requests: A decision-maker assesses the file. Any requests for additional information must be returned within 28 days.
4. Step 4: Review (if refused): Refusal decisions can be appealed within 28 days by submitting a Submission of a Decision for Review Form. Reviews are handled by a separate, more senior official.

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Important Warnings and Obligations

• Mandatory Permit Return: If employment ceases for any reason during the validity period, the permit must be returned to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment within 4 weeks of termination. Failure to return the permit is an offence under Section 24(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2006. Returned permits are formally cancelled.
• Late Registration Risk: Delays in registering residence with the Garda National Immigration Bureau may negatively impact future citizenship or long-term residency applications.