Processing Delays Loom with Upcoming Implementation of Employment Permits (Amendment) Act of 2014

Foreign nationals in Ireland will no longer be able to apply for employment authorization using current forms starting September 30, 2014, as the Employment Permits (Amendment) Act of 2014 is set to be effectuated October 1, 2014. Additionally, employers should expect delays with employment permit application processing, as there may be administrative backlogs following the transition, and because new application forms will not be available until October 1, 2014. 

The Act was anticipated to take effect by mid-September 2014, but the Irish government deferred implementation to ensure that the law’s provisions were clarified. 

The Act creates nine distinct types of employment permits and codifies current practices, bringing applicants and their sponsors greater clarity regarding the eligibility and parameters of each permit classification. 

Employers will also have to electronically pay the employment permit application fees as checks will no longer be accepted. 

This change will not impact Atypical Working Scheme applications, which are processed by the Department of Justice and Equality and are unaffected by the new law. 

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals 

Employers and foreign nationals should expect delays in employment permit application processing for the next few months due to the implementation of the new law. The transitional delay and potential backlog may affect the employment start dates of foreign nationals hired to work in Ireland. Nevertheless, the new immigration program is expected to enable better business planning and HR decision-making by clarifying the parameters of each employment permit category. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].


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