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Changing Employers in Ireland

Changing employers can be an important step in your career, but it comes with legal considerations, especially if you hold an employment permit.

At Gibson & Associates LLP, we provide expert guidance on changing employers while ensuring compliance with Irish immigration law. Our team helps employees and employers navigate the immigration implications of transfers, redundancies, and new employment contracts safely.

Enquire Call +353(0)12645555

Employee Rights and Considerations

Under the Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2024, holders of a General Employment Permit (GEP) or Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) may now change employers after holding their first permit for at least nine months.

This new provision gives permit holders greater flexibility and freedom to move to roles offering improved terms and conditions, without the need to apply for a completely new permit.

Key Features

The change must be within the same occupation or occupation classification listed on the original permit.

The existing permit must remain valid and have at least two months left at the time of application.

The overall permit duration remains unaffected after the change.

Examples

GEP holders may change to a new employer within the same type of employment (identified by its 4-digit SOC code).

CSEP holders may change to an employer in a broader category of employment (identified by its 3-digit SOC code).

Conditions

A maximum of three employer changes may be approved during the lifetime of a permit.

Employment with the new employer must begin within one month of the reissued permit being granted.

The employee cannot start the new role until the reissued permit is in place.

Case Studies

Employee Rights and Considerations

No, a new Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is not required when changing employers under the 2024 rules.

This means that if you already hold an employment permit, you can move to a similar role with a new employer without having to repeat the LMNT process.

The reason for this exemption is that your occupation has already been tested in the Irish and EEA labour market, where either no suitable candidates were found or the role is recognised as being in critical short supply

If you’re considering a change of employer, our team can assess whether your new role qualifies as a similar occupation and guide you through each step of the application process.

If the employment you wish to move to is outside the scope of the ‘change of employer’ process then a new employment permit application will need to be submitted.

How We Can Help

Our team can assist you in navigating the new change-of-employer process, ensuring that all eligibility conditions are met and your application is correctly prepared. Whether you hold a General Employment Permit or a Critical Skills Employment Permit, we can help you make a smooth transition to a new employer while maintaining full compliance with Irish immigration law.

Application Process

Initial Consultation with the Immigration team

Eligibility Assessment & Advice on specific requirements on job role and application process. .

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Document Review & Completion of Online Application .

Our team prepares the submissions that will accompany the application.

In-depth Legal Representation throughout the entire process.

Advice on the next steps following the decision.

*Our team will advise on current processing times at the time of application & will provided regular updates during the processing of the application.

How Gibson & Associates Can Help You

Our immigration team provides a complete legal service to make your application process clear, stress-free, and compliant with Irish law.

Why choose Us?

Our expertise (decades of in-depth knowledge and familiarity with application process).

We can provide expert guidance throughout the application process, helping you navigate requirements and address common challenges to present the strongest possible case.

Our legal teams will identify and utilise relevant legislation and case law that may impact your individual application.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has confirmed an updated roadmap for employment permit salary thresholds.

The first phase of changes will take effect from 1 March 2026, with further phased increases planned through to 2030. The initial adjustment represents a 7.66% increase, replacing the originally proposed 14.7% uplift announced in 2023.

Key changes from 1 March 2026 include:
– General Employment Permits: minimum salary increasing from €34,000 to €36,605
– Critical Skills Employment Permits: minimum salary rising from €38,000 to €40,904

Meat processing, horticulture, healthcare assistants and home carers: minimum salary increasing from €30,000 to €32,691
Recent graduates will continue to benefit from lower entry thresholds, reflecting early-career progression

These changes will have important implications for workforce planning and employment permit compliance. If you’d like to understand how the updated salary thresholds may affect you or your organisation in 2026 and beyond, our team would be happy to help—get in touch to discuss your options.

Our Dedicated Immigration Team

Daireann Gibson
Managing Partner

Amanda Walsh
Partner

Helen Moakley
Senior Solicitor

Kellie McLaughlin
Solicitor

Maura Kavanagh
Solicitor

Sharon Shaw
Legal Manager

Leanne Mclean
Immigration Consultant

Megan McKeon
Immigration Consultant 

Aisling Harden
Senior Legal Support

Lorna Pyper
Senior Legal Support 

Irene Ayaru
Senior Legal Support 

Jade Mullhern
Immigration Consultant

Stacey McGrath
Legal Support

Laura Phelan
Legal Support

Kevina McFadden
Legal Support

Karley Keane
Legal Support

Irish Work Permits Application FAQ's

1. What is an Irish work permit?

An Irish work permit, also known as an employment permit, is a legal authorisation that allows non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals to work in Ireland for a specific employer and in a specified role. These permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

2. Who needs an Employment Permit to work in Ireland?

An employment permit is required for most non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who wish to work in Ireland. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not need a permit. Some other categories of residents, such as people with Stamp 4 immigration permission, may also be permitted to enter employment without one.

3. What are the main types of Employment Permits in Ireland?

The main types of employment permits in Ireland include the Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit, Intra-Company Transfer Permit, Reactivation Employment Permit, Sport and Cultural Employment Permit, and Contract for Services Employment Permit. Each permit type is designed for a different employment situation.

4. What is the Critical Skills Employment Permit?

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled professionals to Ireland in occupations where there is a shortage of qualified workers. It is commonly issued for roles in sectors such as ICT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and science.

5. What jobs qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit?

Jobs that qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit are listed on Ireland’s Critical Skills Occupations List. These typically include roles such as software developers, engineers, doctors, nurses, data analysts, and other highly skilled professionals. The role must also meet minimum salary requirements and qualification requirements. Eligibility for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is largely determined by the type of occupation, and proposed remuneration level.

6. What is the General Employment Permit?

The General Employment Permit allows non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland in occupations that are not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List but are also not on the Ineligible Occupations List. It is one of the most commonly used permits for skilled and semi-skilled roles.

7. How long are General Employment Permits valid?

General Employment Permits are usually issued for up to two years initially. After that, they can be renewed for an additional three years. Once a person has legally worked in Ireland for five years, they may become eligible for Stamp 4 permission, and they may also apply for Long Term Residency if they meet the documentary requirements.

8. What is the Reactivation Employment Permit?

The Reactivation Employment Permit allows individuals who previously held an employment permit in Ireland but lost their status through circumstances beyond their control to return to lawful employment if they secure a qualifying job offer.

9. When is a Reactivation Permit needed?

Reactivation Employment Permits are designed for situations where a foreign national who entered the State on a valid Employment Permit but who fell out of the system through no fault of their own or who has been badly treated or exploited in the workplace, to work legally again.

Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/reactivation-employment-permit/

10. What is the Sport and Cultural Employment Permit?

The Sport and Cultural Employment Permit allows non-EEA nationals with specialised talent to work in Ireland in sports or cultural roles. This may include professional athletes, coaches, performers, musicians, dancers, or other artistic professionals.

Immigration

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