To change your employer while holding a General Employment Permit (GEP) in Ireland, you need to follow specific guidelines set forth by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Here’s a detailed step-by-step process:

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Nine-Month Requirement: You must have completed at least nine months of employment with your current employer before you can apply to change employers. This rule applies to both General Employment Permits and Critical Skills Employment Permits1.

  2. Permit Validity: Your current employment permit must be valid and should have at least two months of validity remaining when you submit your application to change employers2.

  1. Occupation Classification: The new job must fall within the same occupational classification as your original permit. For GEP holders, this means the new role should correspond to the same 4-digit Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code3.

Application Process

  1. Prepare Required Documentation:
    • Complete and sign the application form for changing employers.
    • Obtain a signed contract of employment from your new employer.
    • Gather any additional documentation that may be required based on your specific situation4.

  1. Submit Change of Employer Request:

    • Send the completed application form along with the new contract of employment via email to eptransfer@enterprise.gov.ie5.

  2. Wait for Decision: The processing time for your application may vary, so it is advisable to remain with your current employer until you receive a decision on your application6.

  1. Commencement of New Employment: You must start working for your new employer within one month after receiving approval for the change of employer7. Importantly, you cannot begin working in the new role until the updated employment permit has been officially reissued.

Important Considerations

  • No Labour Market Needs Test Required: When changing employers under these conditions, there is no requirement to conduct a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT), as this was already satisfied when you obtained your original permit8.

  • Limit on Changes: You are allowed to change employers up to three times under this provision during the validity period of your permit9.

By following these steps and ensuring compliance with all requirements, you can successfully change your employer while holding a General Employment Permit in Ireland.

Authoritative Sources

  1. As of 2nd September 2024, employment permit holders can change their employer without applying for a new permit after completing nine months with their current employer. [MRCI]↩
  2. The current employment permit must remain valid for at least two months when submitting the change-of-employer application. [Actus]↩
  3. The new role must be within the same occupation or occupational classification as defined by its SOC code. [Actus]↩
  4. Prepare required documentation including a signed contract from the new employer. [MRCI]↩
  5. Submit applications via email to eptransfer@enterprise.gov.ie as per guidelines provided by DETE. [MRCI]↩
  6. Processing times may vary; remain with current employer until decision is received. [Actus]↩
  7. You must commence work within one month after receiving approval for changing employers. [MRCI]↩
  8. No Labour Market Needs Test is required when changing employers under these conditions due to prior testing during initial permit issuance. [Leglobal]↩
  9. A maximum of three changes are allowed under this provision during the validity period of your permit. [Actus]]↩

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