Permit holders
GEP and Critical Skills holders who have found a new job in the same occupation
What you get
- A check of your dates, occupation codes and permit validity
- A review of the new job offer, salary and employer's documents
- Preparation and submission of the change-of-employer application
About this service
Work Permit Transfer (Change of Employer)
Since the Employment Permits Act 2024, General Employment Permit and Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can change employer after 9 months through a change-of-employer application, without applying for a whole new permit, as long as they stay in the same occupation. We check you qualify, prepare the application with your new employer and make sure you don't start the new job before the permit is reissued.
€1538
Fixed fee
6
Areas we cover
6
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.
New employers
Employers hiring someone who already holds an Irish employment permit
After redundancy
Permit holders made redundant who need to move to a new employer
At a glance
Eligibility
01
9 months
At least 9 months have passed since you started your first employment permit in Ireland
02
Same occupation
The new job is in the same occupation: the same 4-digit occupation code for GEP holders, or the same 3-digit code for Critical Skills holders
03
Valid permit
Your current permit is valid and will stay valid for at least 2 more months when you apply
04
Three changes
A maximum of three change-of-employer applications is allowed
05
Before 9 months
Within the first 9 months, a change is only possible in exceptional circumstances such as redundancy
06
Different occupation
If the new job is a different occupation, a new permit application is needed instead
Our promise
What's included
Work Permit Transfer (Change of Employer)
€1538
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 6 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 confirm you're eligible to change and which route applies.
- 2Step 2
You and your new employer send the documents, and we prepare the application.
- 3Step 3
We submit it on Employment Permits Online.
- 4Step 4
We track it and respond to any queries.
- Step 5
Once the permit is reissued, you start with the new employer within one month.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,538 VAT included.
Government fee
DETE doesn't list a separate fee for change-of-employer applications on its website. If you need a new permit because the occupation changes, the standard fee applies, usually €1,000.
No LMNT
No Labour Market Needs Test is needed for a change-of-employer application.
Start date
Don't start the new job until the permit has been reissued for the new employer.
Less than 2 months left
If your current permit has less than 2 months left, you'll need a renewal or new permit rather than a change of employer.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
A work permit transfer, officially a change-of-employer application, lets an employment permit holder move to a new employer in Ireland. The Employment Permits Act 2024 made this much simpler. Previously, changing jobs meant applying for a completely new permit. Now, General Employment Permit and Critical Skills holders can apply to change employer once 9 months have passed since they started their first permit, without a new Labour Market Needs Test. There are conditions. The new job must be in the same occupation, using the same 4-digit occupation code for General Employment Permit holders or the same 3-digit code for Critical Skills holders. The current permit must be valid for at least 2 more months when applying, a maximum of three change-of-employer applications is allowed, and the holder must start with the new employer within one month of the permit being reissued. Moving to a different occupation still needs a new permit. Within the first 9 months, a change is only possible in exceptional cases, such as redundancy.
Notify DETE on the prescribed form within 4 weeks of dismissal. You then have up to 6 months to find a new job and apply.
Not through a change-of-employer application. A different occupation needs a new permit, with all the usual requirements.
Yes, but it must still meet the threshold for your permit type.
You can ask for a review using DETE's review form within 28 days of the decision. We can prepare it for you.
You must start within one month of the permit being reissued for the new employer.
Ready when you are
Get started with Work Permit Transfer (Change of Employer)
€1538
€1538
Work Permit Transfer (Change of Employer)