Ireland - Green Card Work Permits

A new Green Card Scheme is in place in Ireland from Feb 2007. This is a scheme to help migrants enter Ireland from NON EU countries who are going to work in occupations where there are strategic skills shortages.

This new Green Card Scheme replaces the Work Visa/Work Authorisation Scheme which has been discontinued.
A Green Card Permit is an employment permit issued to an employee which allows his or her employment in Ireland by the named employer in the occupation specified on the permit.

It will be valid for an initial period of two years and will normally be renewed indefinitely after that. The new arrangements allow the employee to apply for immediate family re-unification and will normally allow a pathway to permanent residency after two years.
No labour market needs test (e.g. newspaper and FAS/EURES advertising) is required prior to making an application.
Either the employee or the employer can apply for a Green Card Permit.
It is only possible to obtain a Green Card for certain occupations or salary levels.
Where the annual salary (excluding bonuses) on offer is €60,000 or more, the Green Card Permit is available for all occupations, other than those which are "contrary to the public interest".
Also, Green Card Permits are available for jobs in the annual salary range €30,000 - €59,999 (excluding bonuses) - but only for a restricted number of strategically important occupations - green card restricted occupations shown here

Green Cards will not normally be issued for jobs paying under 30000 euro a year.
Regardless of the post - any foreign-national concerned must possess the relevant qualifications, skills or experience that is required for the job.

The issuing of a Green Card Permit is dependent on a job offer from a bona-fide employer registered with the Companies Registration Office and the Revenue Commissioners and trading in Ireland. The Job Offer must be on company headed paper, dated within the previous 60 days, must be of 2 years or more duration and must specify the following: (i) A full description of the proposed employment, (ii) Starting date, (iii) Annual salary excluding bonuses, and (iv) Information in respect of the qualifications, skills or experience that are required for the employment.

Fees for a Green Card

Application process for Green Cards

All the Occupations for which a Green Card can be applied for: