GEP holders
General Employment Permit holders and their employers
What you get
- A renewal timing plan so you apply inside the window
- A salary and compliance check against the current thresholds
- Preparation and submission of the renewal on Employment Permits Online
About this service
Work Permit Renewal
Most employment permits must be renewed before they expire, and DETE checks the renewal against the rules in force at the time, including the salary thresholds that rose on 1 March 2026. We prepare and submit your renewal on time, check that the salary still qualifies, and remind you to renew your immigration permission (IRP) once the permit is renewed. Renewals are often treated as routine, but DETE checks your pay records, and a salary that has fallen behind the current threshold is a common reason for refusal. We check everything before you apply.
€1229
Fixed fee
5
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.
Other permit holders
Holders of Intra-Company Transfer, Contract for Services, Reactivation and Sport and Cultural permits
Employers
Employers managing renewals for several permit holders
At a glance
Eligibility
01
Current permit
A current permit that hasn't expired. GEP renewals can be made in the 4 months before expiry
02
Same role
The holder is still employed in the role, on the terms of the permit
03
Salary
The salary meets the current threshold for the permit, for example €36,605 for a standard GEP from 1 March 2026
04
Pay records
Pay has been made correctly, with payslips and Revenue records to prove it
05
Critical Skills
Critical Skills permits aren't renewed: holders move to Stamp 4 after 21 months instead
Our promise
What's included
Work Permit Renewal
€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 check the renewal window and the salary.
- 2Step 2
You send the documents, and we prepare the renewal.
- 3Step 3
We submit it and guide you on the government fee.
- 4Step 4
We track the renewal and respond to queries.
- Step 5
Once renewed, we guide you on renewing your IRP.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,229 VAT included.
Government fee (GEP)
€750 for 6 months or less, or €1,500 for up to 36 months. GEP holders with 5 or more years with the same employer can apply for an unlimited renewal with no fee.
Processing time
DETE, October 2026: about 11 weeks for renewal applications.
Renewal length
Renewals can last up to 3 years. After 5 years on employment permits, GEP holders can apply to ISD for Stamp 4 instead.
Sport and Cultural permits
Sport and Cultural permits can be renewed up to 4 months before and 1 month after expiry.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
A work permit renewal extends an existing Irish employment permit with the same employer. Most General Employment Permits are granted for up to 2 years at first, so holders who want to keep working need to renew. The renewal can be for up to 3 years, and General Employment Permit renewals can be applied for in the 4 months before the permit expires. DETE checks a renewal against the rules in force at the time, not the rules when the permit was first issued. After the salary thresholds rose on 1 March 2026, a General Employment Permit holder on the old €34,000 threshold, for example, needs a salary of at least €36,605 to renew. The government fee is €1,500 for a renewal of up to 36 months, or €750 for 6 months or less, and holders with 5 or more years with the same employer can apply for an unlimited-duration renewal with no fee. Critical Skills permits aren't renewed: holders move to Stamp 4 after 21 months. After any renewal, the holder must also renew their immigration permission (IRP).
The employer must raise it to the current threshold before the renewal, or the renewal may be refused. We check this first.
No. Once the permit is renewed, you must also renew your immigration permission online with ISD, which usually costs €300. You can apply up to 12 weeks before it expires.
No. After 21 months they apply directly to ISD for Stamp 4. See our Stamp 4 for Critical Skills Holders service.
Around 4 months before expiry. That gives time for the roughly 11-week processing period and your IRP renewal afterwards.
A renewal is for the same employer. Moving to a new employer needs a change-of-employer application or a new permit.
Ready when you are
Get started with Work Permit Renewal
€1229
€1229
Work Permit Renewal