Hiring Non EEA Workers
in Ireland
International recruitment can help Irish employers access a wider pool of skilled talent and address workforce shortages.
Total Solutions helps employers assess overseas candidates before progressing with recruitment. This includes reviewing candidate suitability, likely employment permit options, visa requirements, and supporting documentation.
In most cases, non-EEA nationals require an Employment Permit to work in Ireland. Candidates from visa-required countries will also need an Entry Visa after their Employment Permit has been approved.
Immigration Support for Irish Employers
Recruiting internationally can be an effective solution for filling difficult-to-fill roles, but each vacancy and candidate should be assessed carefully before proceeding.
We help employers determine whether a role may qualify for an Employment Permit, whether the candidate meets the requirements, and what immigration steps may be involved. Our support helps employers make informed hiring decisions and avoid unnecessary delays.
Our Support Includes
Overseas Candidate Screening
Review nationality, location, immigration history and work background before progressing.
Employment Permit Support
Guidance on Irish employment permit routes, including Critical Skills and General Employment Permits.
Work Visa Guidance
Check whether a candidate may need a visa based on nationality and circumstances.
Candidate Documentation Guidance
Identify documents that may be needed for recruitment and permit preparation.
Employer Compliance Guidance
Support with key checks when hiring non EEA workers in Ireland.
Recruitment and Immigration Coordination
Help align recruitment steps with the immigration process from the start.
Employment Permit Support for Irish Employers
01
Critical Skills Employment Permit
For eligible skilled roles where there is demand in Ireland, including certain professional and specialist occupations.
02
General Employment Permit
For a wider range of eligible roles, provided the occupation is not on the ineligible list.
03
Role and Candidate Screening
Review the vacancy and candidate before progressing to reduce delays and identify the most suitable route.
1.
We begin by understanding the vacancy, location, salary, required experience, qualifications and whether the role is permanent, temporary or contract based.
Tell us about the role
2.
If you already have a candidate, we review their nationality, current location, immigration status, work history, qualifications and available documents.
Review the candidate profile
3.
We help identify whether the candidate may require an employment permit, work visa, residence registration or additional immigration review.
Identify the likely immigration pathway
4.
Where required, we connect the case with specialist immigration support for application guidance and next steps.
Coordinate specialist support
5.
We continue to support the recruitment process, communication and candidate management so employers can stay focused on filling the role.
Support recruitment and onboarding
Candidate screening before you commit
Before progressing with an overseas candidate, it is important to confirm they have the qualifications, experience, and documentation required for an Irish immigration process.
Checks may include qualifications, work experience, employment history, immigration history, previous visa refusals, and supporting documentation.
Early screening helps identify potential issues and increases the likelihood of a successful application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Irish employers can recruit non-EEA nationals for eligible roles. In most cases, the candidate will require an Employment Permit before starting work in Ireland. Candidates from visa-required countries will also need an Entry Visa after their permit has been approved.
Total Solutions can help employers with overseas candidate screening, employment permit pathway guidance, visa requirement checks, candidate documentation guidance and early recruitment planning. This helps employers understand the process before progressing with an application.
A Critical Skills Employment Permit is aimed at highly skilled roles that are in demand in Ireland. A General Employment Permit can apply to a wider range of roles where there is a labour or skills shortage, provided the occupation is eligible.
No. Entry Visa requirements depend on the individual's nationality and circumstances. Some candidates may require both an Employment Permit and a visa, while others may only require the appropriate Employment Permit. The official list of visa-required and non-visa-required nationalities is available here: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-non-visa-required-nationalities/
Employers should start as early as possible. DETE states that an employment permit application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
Candidate screening helps identify potential issues before time is spent on the application. Important checks include immigration history, visa refusals, criminal convictions, qualifications, work experience, employment evidence and financial documentation.
No. All Employment Permit and visa decisions are made by the relevant Irish authorities. Total Solutions can assist with candidate screening, eligibility assessments, and application preparation to maximise the likelihood of success, but no approval can be guaranteed. We will only recommend proceeding where there is a strong basis for approval.
Yes. If the candidate is already in Ireland, their current immigration permission should be reviewed before moving forward. Some candidates may already have permission to work, while others may need an employment permit, visa status review or further immigration support.
This service is suitable for employers across construction, hospitality, healthcare, logistics, engineering, administration, warehousing and other sectors where international recruitment may be needed.