Immigration Law Update

New Employment Permits Regulations 2017

                                   

  • New Employment Permits Regulations came into force on 3rd April 2017
  • The principal purpose of the new Employment Permit Regulations is to consolidate the secondary legislation relating to employment permits in Ireland. The Employment Permit Regulations S.I. No. 432 of 2014 have been amended a number of times by subsequent statutory instruments. It is hoped that the newly consolidated Employment Permits Regulations will make the secondary legislation relating to work permits more accessible and easier to navigate for users.
  • The New Employment Permits Regulations also make some changes to the regulations governing employment permits:
  1. The addition to the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) of academics who hold a qualification equivalent to NFQ Level 10 in a given discipline awarded no less than two calendar years prior to the date of application for an employment permit, with a minimum of one academic year of relevant teaching experience, and the employment concerned is in an Irish University or Institute of Technology.
  1. The Minister has approved an exemption from the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL) on a temporary basis for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers who have a CE or C1E driving licence and subject to a maximum quota of 120 General Employment Permits. The required labour markets needs test cannot commence until 3rd April 2017.
  1. Meat deboners shall continue to be exempt from the Ineligible Categories of Employment List and a second tranche of 160 General Employment Permits maximum quota has been released.
  1. In relation to applications received on or after 3rdApril 2017, where an application for an employment permit is made in respect of a Chartered Engineer, an Associate Engineer or an Engineering Technician, a copy of the foreign national’s registration with the Institute of Engineers of Ireland is required to be provided with such applications.
  1. The phrase ‘not elsewhere classified’ has been added in relevant occupation categories on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List in order to clarify that occupations classified elsewhere in the Standard Occupational Classification cannot also be coded under ‘Other’, for example “Other therapy professionals not elsewhere classified”.

For further information on our employment permit application services see https://sotsolicitors.ie/immigration-law/employment-permit-applications-appeals/

Please contact our firm if you require advice or assistance with the preparation of your work permit application – send an email to [email protected] or call/message 0868561017 to make an appointment for a consultation in Dublin City Centre