Relocation plan: Ireland

Do you need a visa?

Yes. You need an employment permit before you arrive. For skilled jobs, the most common are:

• Critical Skills Employment Permit: for jobs on the critical skills list (many in IT), a contract of at least 2 years and the salary in the box above. After 21 months you can apply for Stamp 4, which lets you work without a permit.
• General Employment Permit: for other eligible jobs, with the salary in the box above.

1. You or the employer apply online through the Department of Enterprise's EPOS system.
2. If your nationality requires it, you also apply for an entry visa.
3. After arriving, you register with immigration and receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Citizens Information: Critical Skills Employment Permit · Registering with immigration

Documents and where to get them

In your country, before you leave

• Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
• Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
• Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.

In Ireland

• PPS number: your personal number for tax and social welfare. Apply through MyWelfare, with proof of an Irish address.
• Revenue myAccount: register your job so the employer gets your tax credits; otherwise you pay emergency tax.
• IRP (residence card), with an appointment at the immigration service.

Step by step

Before you leave

1. Sign the contract and confirm in writing the gross annual salary, the start date and the relocation support.
2. Apply for the employment permit on EPOS and, if needed, the entry visa.
3. Look for housing early: supply in Dublin is very tight. Be wary of adverts asking for money before a viewing.
4. In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.

First week

1. Apply for your PPS number on MyWelfare.
2. Open a bank account.
3. Book your immigration registration to get the IRP.

First month

1. Register your job on Revenue myAccount.
2. Register with a GP; visits are usually paid, so check whether your employer offers health insurance.