Labour Market Access Permission (International Protection
Applicants)

Labour Market Access Permission lets people who have applied for international protection (asylum) in Ireland work while they wait for a decision, if their case has taken a long time. It allows both employment and self-employment, for 12 months at a time. Applicants can apply once 5 months have passed since their protection application was received, provided no first-instance decision has been made within 6 months and the delay isn't their fault: they must have cooperated with the process, including interviews, questionnaires and providing documents. The application is made online through an ISD online account, with a clear copy of a valid IPA Certificate and any identity documents given to the International Protection Office. ISD doesn't list a fee, aims to decide within about 6 weeks and emails the permission to the applicant. It can be renewed while the case continues: renewals include an LMA5 form from the employer, or a signed note if the person didn't work, and holders who apply to renew on time have a 4-week grace period after expiry to keep working. Employers must check that the permission is genuine and submit an LMA5 form within 21 days if the employment ends. Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection don't need this permission, because they already have the right to work.

Yes. The permission covers employment and self-employment.

Check the permit came from the official email address and matches your details, and submit the LMA5 form within 21 days if your employment ends.

Before your permit expires, if you still haven't received a final decision. We'll track the dates for you.

If you're granted protection, you'll have your own right to work. If you're refused at the final stage, the permission ends.

The permission allows employment and self-employment. We'll help you and your employer check the conditions on your permit.

No. It's separate from the decision on your protection application, but you must keep cooperating with the protection process.

As a temporary measure until 27 November 2026, ISD accepts an acknowledgement from the Renewals Unit as evidence of an IPA Certificate renewal. We'll check the latest position.