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Reactivation Employment Permit

Skilled Migration PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 months

Estimated Cost

€860–€1,900 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 to 3 years

2 yr initial · extendable to 3 · Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

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

Permit Fee (First-time Short)€500 EUR

Permit Fee (First-time Long)€1,000 EUR

Permit Fee (Renewal Short)€750 EUR

Permit Fee (Renewal Long)€1,500 EUR

Visa Fee (Single)€60 EUR

Visa Fee (Multiple)€100 EUR

IRP Registration Fee€300 EUR

Total€860–€1,900 EUR

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant	2 years
Extendable up to	3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Ireland

Stamp 4 Residency

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

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

Verified Claims (9)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Submit the REP application for temporary immigration permission to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD…

irishimmigration.ie

Blockers

Never held an Irish employment permit (e.g., entered as a student or visitor only).; Left Ireland af…

citizensinformation.ie

Forms

ISD Customer Service Portal - REP application; Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) - REP applica…

irishimmigration.ie

Application Portal

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/reactivation-emp…

irishimmigration.ie

Official Info

https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/reactiv…

enterprise.gov.ie

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":70,"maxDays":98}

enterprise.gov.ie

Processing Time

10-14 weeks (currently ~12 weeks)

enterprise.gov.ie

Required Docs

Copy of the biodata page of the applicant's passport.; Copy of the passport entry-stamp page.; Copie…

irishimmigration.ie

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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.

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.

Requirements

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.