One of the most common sources of confusion for employers hiring internationally into Ireland — and almost every candidate asks about it — is the difference between an Irish employment permit and an Irish work visa. They are two separate things, issued by two separate state bodies, and both are required for most non-EEA workers. Getting the sequence wrong delays arrivals by weeks. This guide explains exactly what each document does, who issues it, and how they fit together in a successful hire.
Two Documents, Two Purposes, Two Agencies
The Irish employment permit and the long-stay employment visa do different jobs:
The Employment Permit — Permission to Employ
Issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). It is essentially permission for a specific Irish employer to employ a specific non-EEA worker in a specific role at a specific salary. It is tied to the job, not to the person's right to be in the country.
The Long-Stay Employment Visa (D-visa) — Permission to Enter
Issued by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), under the Department of Justice. It is permission for the person to enter Ireland for the purpose of taking up that employment. It does not grant any right to work on its own — it only allows entry.
Think of it this way: the permit says 'yes, this employer can hire this worker'. The visa says 'yes, this worker may enter Ireland to take up that job'. Both are required. One does not substitute for the other.
Who Needs a Visa, Who Doesn't
For most Irish employers hiring internationally, the sourced candidate is from a visa-required country, so the visa step is in scope.
The Correct Sequence
The Five-Step Sequence
Step 1: Employer applies for and receives the employment permit
Application goes through EPOS to DETE. Processing is 2-4 weeks (CSEP) or 5-10 weeks (GEP).
Step 2: Candidate applies for the D-visa
Application goes to the Irish embassy, consulate or visa office responsible for the candidate's country. The permit number is required.
Step 3: Visa granted and stamped
Typically 4-12 weeks depending on origin country.
Step 4: Candidate travels to Ireland
Must present permit and visa at the border.
Step 5: Register with Immigration within 90 days
Obtain the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
Don't skip the sequence. You cannot apply for the D-visa before the employment permit is issued — the permit number is a required field in the visa application. This is the single biggest timing misconception employers have.
Typical Processing Times in 2026
Add them together. A typical candidate from India hired on a General Employment Permit is looking at 10-16 weeks from permit submission to arrival. Building in a buffer is essential.
What Goes Into a D-Visa Application
The candidate submits the visa application themselves — the employer does not file it. Required documents typically include:
Candidate's Visa Application Checklist
• Original employment permit issued by DETE
• Passport valid for at least 12 months beyond intended stay
• Letter of offer from the Irish employer
• Evidence of qualifications
• Evidence of sufficient funds for initial arrival
• Police clearance certificate
• Recent photos to ISD specifications
• Visa application fee (typically €60-100)
Requirements vary slightly by embassy. Candidates should always check the specific requirements for the embassy handling their application.
The Employer's Role During the Visa Stage
Strictly, the visa is the candidate's responsibility. In practice, strong employers don't leave candidates to figure it out alone:
What Good Employers Do
• Provide a clean, complete letter of offer that matches the permit exactly
• Respond promptly to any embassy queries that route back through the candidate
• Clarify the start date and any flexibility, as candidates often need this for the visa application
• Help the candidate understand timelines and set expectations with their current employer
Candidates left alone at the visa stage often suffer weeks of silence from embassies, lose confidence, and may accept offers elsewhere.
The IRP — The Third Document
After arrival, the candidate must register with Immigration (usually within 90 days) and obtain an Irish Residence Permit card. The IRP confirms their right to live in Ireland and is the document most commonly checked by banks, landlords and service providers.
Book the IRP appointment early — Dublin appointment slots can run 4-6 weeks out. Without the IRP, the worker cannot open an Irish bank account with most banks, cannot sign a long-term rental with most landlords, and struggles with a range of basic administrative tasks.
Common Mistakes Employers Make
Five Mistakes That Delay Arrivals
1. Assuming the permit is 'the visa' — Both are required. A candidate from a visa-required country cannot travel on the permit alone.
2. Applying for the visa too early — The permit number is required. Visa applications submitted without it are rejected.
3. Not factoring visa processing time into start dates — 'We'll have you starting in 6 weeks after the permit is issued' is usually wrong. Realistic is 8-12 weeks post-permit for most origins.
4. Confusing the D-visa with a Schengen visa — Ireland is not in Schengen. A Schengen visa does not permit entry to Ireland.
5. Assuming UK BRP holders are settled — A candidate currently on a UK work visa still needs an Irish employment permit and an Irish D-visa.
Special Routes to Be Aware Of
Atypical Working Scheme — Short-Term Specialist Work
For short-term (less than 90 days) specialist engagements, there is a separate scheme that bypasses the standard permit route. Useful for specific short-term projects but not suitable for long-term hires.
Stamp 4 and Family Reunification
Spouses and dependants of Critical Skills permit holders can be admitted immediately with a Dependant/Partner visa — a route that does not require a separate employment permit. Once in Ireland, the spouse's Stamp 1G allows them to work for any employer. This is a significant advantage of CSEP over GEP for attracting married candidates.
Bringing It Together
The employment permit and the D-visa are two doors that open in sequence. The permit is yours to manage as the employer; the visa is the candidate's to complete, with your support. Missing the sequence, underestimating visa time, or confusing the two documents is behind a significant portion of delayed starts and lost candidates. Treat both as parts of a single hiring timeline and plan accordingly.
How Recruitroo Handles the Full Sequence
Recruitroo handles the entire permit-to-arrival sequence — DETE permit submission, coordinated support for the candidate's D-visa application through our in-country team, and IRP scheduling on arrival. Our clients see far fewer candidate drop-offs at the visa stage because the whole workflow is connected.
Unsure whether your candidate needs a visa or just a permit?
Tell us the candidate's nationality. We'll confirm the exact document sequence, realistic timelines, and what you need to provide at each stage.
This guide reflects Irish immigration and permit rules as of April 2026. DETE and ISD processing times and requirements change periodically.