Are you working in Ireland on a work permit with your partner or spouse accompanying you?
Great news! If your spouse or partner has joined you under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Ireland Policy, they may be able to work without needing a work permit, depending on the type of work permit you hold.
Previously, only some spouses and partners of employment permit holders could work without obtaining their own permits. However, as of May 15, 2024, the Irish government has extended this right to more permit holders.
This is a fantastic opportunity for spouses and partners and demonstrates the government’s commitment to allowing skilled individuals to contribute to the Irish workforce.
In this article, we’ll explore the details of this new policy change and what it means for you and your spouse/partner
What are the changes?
Previously, only spouses or partners of holders of a Critical Skills Employment Permit, Hosting agreement, or those on Stamp 4 or 5 were eligible to work without a work permit.
However, this has now been extended to include spouses and partners of the following permit holders:
General Employment Permit
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor on a Multi-Site General Employment Permit
This has been in effect since May 15, 2024.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
Be a spouse or a partner of the Employment Permit/Hosting Agreement Holder
Be a non-EEA/EU/UK/Swiss national
Have joined under the Family Reunification Policy
Do partners or spouses need to apply to be eligible for these new conditions?
No, eligible partners and spouses don’t need to apply; they will automatically be able to start working in Ireland.
However, they cannot work as self-employed or own their own business under these conditions.
What happens if my partner is not yet in Ireland but is in the process of accompanying me?
If your partner is applying to join you in Ireland through the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, they may be granted a Stamp 1G visa for Ireland.
Note that upon arrival, your partner must first apply for the Irish Residence Permit before receiving Stamp 1G permission.
Stamp 1G in Ireland will allow your partner to work without needing to acquire a separate work permit.
What if my partner is already in Ireland and needs to renew their Stamp 3 dependent visa?
If your partner needs to renew their Stamp 3, they will be granted a Stamp 1G visa, allowing them to work without acquiring a work permit.
However, a new Stamp 1G visa is not required to be eligible for these changes. If they hold a valid Stamp 3 visa in Ireland, they now automatically have permission to work without a permit.
Do I need to provide any proof of right to work to employers in Ireland?
You can provide this specific letter to employers as proof of your right to work in Ireland if you meet the eligibility criteria.
However, please note that these new changes only apply to spouses or partners of certain work permit holders in Ireland and do not extend to other dependents.
What if I do not hold one of the work permits mentioned?
In that case, your spouse or partner may still be able to work in Ireland but they may need to apply for a work permit.
Whether or not your spouse or partner will be eligible for a work permit will depend on your personal circumstances.
Need help applying for your visa to Ireland?
At Visa First, we can help you apply for different types of visas to travel and work in Ireland.
Some visas we help our customers apply for include:
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Intra-Company Transfer Permit
Irish General Work Permit
Dependant Work Permit
Work Permit Renewal
We will guide you through the entire application process and increase your chances of obtaining your visa successfully.
Why choose Visa First?
Our service is fast and reliable
It’s a stress-free process as we take care of the paperwork
We have been applying for visas on behalf of our customers for over 20 years
Apply for your visa with Visa First today!
Q and A
Q: Can I bring my family to Ireland on a work permit?
A: Yes, you may be able to bring your family to Ireland on a work permit. Your eligibility depends on the type of work permit you hold and meeting specific criteria under the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy.
Some examples of permits that allow you to reunite with your family in Ireland include the General Employment Permit and Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Q: What are the requirements for family reunification?
A: The requirements to apply for family reunification in Ireland, when you have family in Ireland on a work permit include:
Passport valid for at least 12 months
Two passport-sized colour photos taken in the last 6 months
Completed application form
A signed letter including:
Your contact details
Reason for coming to Ireland
Details of the family member in Ireland who is sponsoring your application
Details of any other family members currently in Ireland, the UK, or the EU
A copy of your sponsor’s current employment permit, researcher (scientific) hosting agreement, etc.
Evidence of relationship (e.g., marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate)
Proof that your family members already residing in Ireland meet the minimum financial requirements
Q: How do I apply for family reunification in Ireland?
A: For family reunification, you can apply online for a visa through the Irish Department of Justice website
Q: How can I bring my non-EU husband/wife to Ireland?
A: If you would like to have your non-EU husband/wife join you in Ireland while you are on a working holiday visa, they will need to join you through the Family Reunification policy and apply for a visa providing all the required documents.
Q: What is the Stamp 1G in Ireland?
A: Stamp 1G is a type of immigration permission in Ireland that is granted to certain non-EEA nationals.
It allows the holder to work full-time in Ireland without the need for an employment permit.
Q: How many times can you renew Stamp 1G?
A: You will have to renew your Stamp 1G yearly and after 5 years you can apply for a Stamp 4.
Q: How long does it take to get a Stamp 1G in Ireland?
A: It can take a month or more to obtain a Stamp 1G visa.
Q: What is a Stamp 3?
A: In Ireland, Stamp 3 grants non-EEA/EU/UK/Swiss citizens permission to stay for a period of time.
Q: How to get a Critical Skills Employment Permit in Ireland?
A: To get a Critical Skills Employment Permit, you can apply online.
At Visa First, we can help you with the process!
You can start by checking your eligibility, gathering your documents and starting your application.
Q: What is the difference between Critical Skills and General Employment Permit?
A: One of the main differences between the Critical Skills and the General Employment Permit is the types of occupations eligible.
The General Work Employment Permit is more flexible regarding the types of jobs you can take.
Whereas, the Critical Skills Employment Permit has a list of occupations that are in high demand and have a shortage of skills in Ireland.
Q: How long does it take to get a Critical Skills Work Permit in Ireland?
A: It typically takes around 2 months to obtain a Critical Skills Work Permit.
Q: Is Stamp 1G critical skills?
A: No, Stamp 1G is not a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Stamp 1G will allow you to work in Ireland without having to obtain an employment permit, whereas, the Critical Skills Employment Permit is for skilled workers in specific high-demand occupations.
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