Ireland•EuropeReactivation Employment Permit
At a Glance
2–3 months
EUR €860–€1,900
Varies by filing options
2 to 3 years
2 yr initial · extendable to 3 · Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Two-stage Irish work permit that lets non-EEA nationals who lost employment-permit status through no fault of their own re-enter the labour market with a new job offer.
The Reactivation Employment Permit (REP) lets non-EEA workers who previously held an Irish employment permit and fell out of status through no fault of their own (redundancy, exploitation, or policy change) return to the labour market. It is run jointly by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
The process is two-stage: applicants first apply to ISD via the Customer Service Portal and, if approved, receive a six-month Stamp 1 plus an REP letter, after which they lodge the permit application with DETE via EPOS. New permits cost EUR 500 (≤6 months) or EUR 1,000 (up to 24 months); renewals are EUR 750 or EUR 1,500 (up to 36 months).
This visa is ideal for non-EEA workers who fell out of permit status through no fault of their own and have a new compliant employer ready to sponsor them back into legal employment.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
| Extendable up to | 3 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
IrelandRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Previously held an Employment Permit issued by DETE and fell out of the system through no fault of own (e.g., redundancy, exploitation, or policy change).
Currently in Ireland (you must not have left after losing status); a genuine current job offer from an Irish-registered employer is required.
Must first obtain temporary Stamp 1 permission and an REP letter from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) before applying to DETE.
Remuneration at or above the National Minimum Wage.
Employer must be a bona fide Irish employer, trading in Ireland, registered with Revenue (and CRO/Registry of Friendly Societies if applicable), with a direct employer-employee relationship.
The 50:50 rule: the employer's workforce must not be more than 50% non-EEA nationals at the time of application (limited exceptions apply).
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
28,696 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Copy of the biodata page of the applicant's passport.
Copy of the passport entry-stamp page.
Copies of all employment permits previously held.
Letter from the employer or DETE explaining why the previous permit cannot be renewed.
Completed REP application form submitted via the ISD Customer Service Portal.
Reactivation Employment Permit letter from ISD/Department of Justice (issued after Stamp 1 grant).
Genuine job offer / employment contract with an Irish-registered employer.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Provides a structured route back to legal employment after losing prior permit status through no fault of own.
- No Labour Market Needs Test is required for the REP application.
- Initial permit up to 24 months with renewals up to 36 months at a time.
- Counts toward the five-year residency needed to apply for Stamp 4 long-term residence.
- Either the foreign national or the Irish employer can lodge the application.
- Open to broadly any occupation (excluding most domestic work).
Worth Knowing
- Two-step process: separate applications to ISD (Stamp 1) and to DETE (the permit itself).
- DETE processing is currently around 12 weeks for new applications (May 2026).
- Employer must be Irish-registered, trading in Ireland, and meet the 50:50 EEA-workforce rule.
- Permit is tied to a specific employer and role; remote work is not permitted.
- Job offer must pay at least the National Minimum Wage, evidenced by a written contract.
- Never held an Irish employment permit, or left Ireland after losing status.
- Already on an REP without redundancy or a qualifying employer change.
- Subject to a deportation or removal order, or holds a permit type excluded from the scheme.
Application Process
Submit the REP application for temporary immigration permission to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) via the Customer Service Portal, including the application form and supporting documents.
If approved, receive a temporary Stamp 1 permission (six months) and an REP letter from the Department of Justice.
Submit the Reactivation Employment Permit application to DETE via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), paying the relevant fee.
If the applicant is visa-required, apply for an Irish entry visa at the nearest embassy or consulate before travel.
On approval/return, register with immigration to obtain the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) under Stamp 1.
Application Forms
Go to application portal| ISD Customer Service Portal - REP application | Fill online |
| Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) - REP application | Fill online |
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