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Know Your Rights > Working In Ireland As A Non-EU/EEA National > Green Card Permits
The Green Card scheme is restricted to specific skilled occupations where workers are in short supply, such as professionals and technicians in Information Technology (IT), professionals in construction, and registered nurses. This Scheme replaces the Work Visa / Work Authorisation Scheme.
Green Card Application Process
- Either the employee or employer can apply for a Green Card Permit.
- No labour market test (newspaper and FAS / EURES advertising) is required for the application.
- The annual salary on offer must be for jobs earning €60,000 or more (excluding bonuses) or 30,000 - €59,999(excluding bonuses) for a restricted number of strategically important occupations, e.g. in information technology, healthcare and financial services.
- The employee must have the relevant qualifications, skills or experience that is required for the job.
- The employee must have received a job offer for a period of two years or more, and must give all information about the post on offer.
- There is a fee of €1,000 for a two-year period, and on renewal €1,500 where the permit is renewed indefinitely. It is not possible to pay a lower fee for a shorter period than two years.
- The permit will not be granted to companies where the number of non-EEA staff exceeds 50% of staff
Application for a Green Card permit must be made to the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Davitt House, Adelaide Rd, Dublin 2. It is advisable to send your application by registered post.
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If your application for a Green Card is successful:
If your application is successful, the original version of the Green Card is sent to the employee and a copy to employer. The employee should then obtain a visa from their local Irish embassy or consulate. Contact details for the Irish embassies / consulates can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.dfa.ie. You can also apply by post to the Visa Office, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Nationals of certain listed countries must make their visa applications online – click here for more information.
On arrival in Ireland, the employee should register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 for persons living in Dublin, or the local immigration office for areas outside of Dublin. They will receive a residence stamp in their passport for one year which can be renewed annually. The worker will also be issued with a Certificate of Registration or 'GNIB card' which shows they have permission to stay in Ireland. The cost of registration is €150.00 and you will be required to pay this fee again when you register every year.
If you are from a non-visa-required country you do not need to obtain a visa but you will still to register with the GNIB on arrival in Ireland with a copy of your Green Card to show that you have the right to work in Ireland.
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If your application for a Green Card is not successful:
You will receive a letter from the Employment Permits Section outlining the reasons why the application was unsuccessful. You, or your employer, have 21 days to appeal this decision.
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Renewal of Green Cards
An application for a renewal of a Green Card Permit can be made by the employer or employee. You must include a completed application form with copies of P60s for each year of employment when the Green Card had previously been granted, and copies of three pay slips dated within the previous three months. A processing fee of €1,500 must accompany the application.
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Moving Job
An employee is free to move employer after he or she gets a Green Card permit provided that you stayed with your initial employer for a period of 12 months (apart from in exceptional circumstances). After 12 months, you may move employer provided that a new application for a Green Card Permit is made, and the job is in the same job sector. On a case-by-case basis the DETE may grant you another permit in a different sector if you have other relevant qualifications..
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Green Card Holders and Family Members
Persons on a Green Card can apply for immediate family reunification. Applications can be made to the Immigration and Citizenship Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Spouses and dependents are free to seek employment and apply for a spousal / dependent Work Permit.
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Green Card Holders and Permanent Residency
Persons on a Green Card will normally have a pathway to permanent residency after two years and can apply to the Immigration and Citizenship Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. For more information click here.
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Please note: If a person is already in Ireland on a Work Permit, they can make an application for a Green Card Permit, returning their current valid Work Permit with the application. The applicant must have a valid and up-to-date stamp in their passport. Romanian and Bulgarian nationals are not eligible for Green Cards.