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Ireland

Ireland: Changes to Right to Work Requirements for Spouses and Partners of General Employment Permit Holders

On 15 May 2024, changes were announced for spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Company Transfer Permit holders who have been granted family reunification.

Spouses and partners of General Employment Permit (GEP) and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) permit holders who are already resident in Ireland will now receive Stamp 1G permission (as opposed to Stamp 3 permission), which allows them to work without a separate employment permit to their spouse/partner.  This also applies to spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on a Hosting Agreement.  Eligible spouses and partners must also have obtained permission to be resident in Ireland under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy.

Those who are currently on a Stamp 3 permission do not need to apply to change to a Stamp 1G immediately but instead can work using their Stamp 3 with a letter from the Department of Justice outlining the change until 15 May 2025.  This letter confirming the right to work can be provided to a prospective employer when such individuals are applying for jobs.

The Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said that the right to work changes will enable Ireland to attract skilled workers in the form of eligible spouses and partners of GEP and ICT permit holders and will ensure that the spouses and partners can contribute to the Irish economy.