The usual starting point
A Dealer Principal with three sites and eight unfilled technician positions. They’ve advertised on Done Deal, Jobs.ie and the manufacturer network portal. They have three CVs, none of whom can start for three months. Someone at the dealer council tells them Kearys hired twelve technicians from South Africa.
That conversation is the most common entry point into employment permit hiring for Irish dealer groups. What follows is the plain version of what happens next - no jargon, no legal mystique.
Step one: Confirm the role is eligible
Motor vehicle service technicians - the qualified technician role in a franchised workshop - are hireable through the General Employment Permit at the €36,605 minimum from 1 March 2026. The occupation title on the advert, contract and permit application must match. Do not describe the role as a general mechanic if you are hiring for a fully qualified technician position; the duties description matters.
Step two: Sort the salary line
The €36,605 figure is basic salary. Flat-rate pay structures in car dealerships need careful review: if a technician earns flat-rate and some weeks fall below the threshold, you need a minimum basic pay guarantee that clears €36,605 annualised. Talk to your HR team or payroll provider before advertising. Our salary benchmarking guide covers the threshold rules in detail.
Step three: Run the Labour Market Needs Test
Twenty-eight consecutive days of advertising on JobsIreland, EURES and one additional online platform. The advert wording, the role description and the salary must not change during those 28 days. Use the same wording you will put in the employment contract and the permit application - consistency is the whole game. Our job description guide and LMNT guide cover both.
Step four: File the permit
Permit application documents
Permit applications are filed through EPOS (the DETE online system). As a Trusted Partner employer the decision comes back in two to four weeks; standard processing is four to eight. The €1,000 fee is 90% refunded if the permit is refused.
Step five: Visa and arrival
South African nationals need a D employment visa. Applications are submitted to the Irish Visa Office and take four to six weeks. When the technician arrives, they register with immigration, get their PPS number, and go through your standard dealer induction plus brand-specific OEM training sign-off.
| Stage | Duration | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| LMNT advertising | 28 days | Employer (or Recruitroo) |
| Permit application | 2–4 weeks (Trusted Partner) | Employer or agent via EPOS |
| D visa (South Africa) | 4–6 weeks | Candidate at Irish visa office |
| Travel and registration | 1–2 weeks | Candidate |
Ready to hire your first international technician?
Recruitroo works with franchise dealer groups from single-site to multi-site programmes. We source qualified technicians, run the LMNT, file permits, and coordinate visas and arrival logistics. The process is simpler than most dealers expect.
Frequently asked questions
Does each site need its own permit application?
The permit is linked to the employer (the dealer group entity), not the specific site. If your sites trade under one company, one employer registration covers all sites.
Can a technician switch from my group to another dealer after arriving?
After nine months, yes. General Employment Permit holders can change employer in the same occupation. Retention from day one matters more than most groups realise initially.
What if the technician’s South African qualifications are not recognised?
Most South African motor trade apprenticeships are broadly recognised by Irish dealers as evidence of competence. An OEM induction after arrival is standard regardless of source country.
This guide reflects Irish employment permit rules for the automotive sector as of September 2026. Thresholds, occupation lists and processing times change - check current DETE guidance or ask Recruitroo before committing to a hire.