Former permit holders
Former employment permit holders who fell out of the system through no fault of their own and are still in Ireland
What you get
- An eligibility review of your employment and immigration history
- Preparation of your ISD application, with a clear account of what happened
- Preparation and submission of the permit application once ISD approves you
About this service
Reactivation Employment Permit
The Reactivation Employment Permit helps people who once held an Irish employment permit but became undocumented through no fault of their own, or who were mistreated or exploited at work, to get back into legal employment. It's a two-stage process: first you need permission from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), and then the employer or worker applies for the permit. We guide you through both stages.
€1229
Fixed fee
6
Areas we cover
5
Documents to prepare
5
Simple steps
Who it's for
Who this is for
Whether you're moving, hiring, staying or starting over, this is the place to begin.
Exploited workers
Workers who were mistreated or exploited by an employer
Changed circumstances
Holders of a Dependant/Partner/Spouse permit whose circumstances changed, for example through separation
At a glance
Eligibility
01
Previous permit
You previously entered the labour market legally on an employment permit
02
Job offer
You are not currently employed and have a genuine job offer
03
ISD permission first
You first get permission from ISD: a temporary Stamp 1 and a Reactivation Employment Permit letter from the Department of Justice
04
Pay and skills
The job pays at least the National Minimum Wage, and you have the skills for it
05
Employer
The employer is registered with Revenue and trading, and at least 50% of its staff are EEA nationals
06
Not eligible
People who entered as students or visitors and never held a permit, former ICT, Contract for Services or Internship permit holders who stayed on, people who left Ireland, and people who changed to another immigration stamp
Our promise
What's included
Reactivation Employment Permit
€1229
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 5 ready
Tap items as you go
You're fully prepared. Let's get you booked in.
5-step journey
How it works
- 1Step 1
We review your history and confirm you qualify.
- 2Step 2
We prepare and submit your application to ISD.
- 3Step 3
Once ISD issues your letter and temporary Stamp 1, we prepare the permit application.
- 4Step 4
We submit it and respond to any DETE queries.
- Step 5
After approval, we guide you on registering your permission.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,229 VAT included.
Government fee
€500 for 6 months or less, or €1,000 for up to 24 months. Renewals cost €750 or €1,500. 90% is refunded if refused.
Processing time
DETE, October 2026: about 8 weeks for this type of new permit, after ISD approval.
One-time scheme
The scheme can normally be used only once. After 5 consecutive years of lawful work on Reactivation permits, you may be able to apply for Stamp 4.
Who can't use it
Former Intra-Company Transfer, Contract for Services and Internship permit holders who stayed on after their permits expired aren't eligible.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
The Reactivation Employment Permit is a route back into legal employment for non-EEA nationals who once held an Irish employment permit but lost their status through no fault of their own, for example because an employer failed to renew a permit, or because they were mistreated or exploited at work. It works in two stages. First, the person applies to Immigration Service Delivery for permission, receiving a temporary Stamp 1 and a Reactivation letter from the Department of Justice. Then they, or their new employer, apply to DETE for the permit, with a genuine job offer paying at least the National Minimum Wage. No Labour Market Needs Test is needed. The scheme isn't open to people who entered as students or visitors and never held a permit, or to people who left Ireland. After 5 years of lawful work on Reactivation permits, holders may be able to apply for Stamp 4.
No. The Reactivation permit doesn't need one.
Generally only after 12 months with your first employer. If you're made redundant, you'll have 6 months to find a new job and apply again.
No. Dependants, partners and spouses must apply for their own permission.
The scheme is designed for people in that situation. We'll help you set out what happened clearly and sensitively.
Ready when you are
Get started with Reactivation Employment Permit
€1229
€1229
Reactivation Employment Permit