Cork 2023: Simplifying the process to work in Ireland

There is no doubt that Ireland has a wealth of homegrown talent with an array of diverse skills suited to industry across every sector. However, for various reasons, many companies will need to fill positions with employees from overseas.

This may be due to a need for more experts in a particular area, an especially niche role, a position which requires someone with international or country-specific knowledge, or simply a job with too few candidates applying from within Ireland.

Sourcing and recruiting people to fill these roles isn’t always an easy task, but quite often acquiring the necessary visas and relevant documentation to allow them to work freely in this country is the biggest challenge: and this is where Cork-based consultancy WorkPermits4Ireland comes into its own.

With eight years of experience with the immigration process in Ireland, the city firm specialises in submitting often complex applications on behalf of Irish-based organisations wishing to apply for work permits for non-EU nationals.

It also prepares compelling explanatory letters to accompany any submission on behalf of clients.

Edward Cosgrove, a consultant with the firm, says the service also encompasses advice, evaluation and preparation of the application, including fulfilling specific requirements, such as the Labour Market Needs Test and presentation on any relevant additional detail.

“It is no secret that significant and, in some cases, chronic shortages exist in the Irish labour market,” he said. “Dealing with this issue is a corporate challenge only overcome by recruiting skilled labour from outside of Ireland and the EU.

“In 2022, over 30,000 work permits were issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and over 3,000 of these were to Cork-based organisations.

“So, Workpermits4ireland can provide a holistic service in first assisting and advising on the most efficient and expedient strategy before determining which of the nine different types of work permits available should be selected.”

To understand the process and what is required by the Irish authorities, the team of experienced consultants will give their opinion of the case before proceeding while keeping abreast of any changes to the requirements and adjustments to the Ineligible and Critical Skills Lists.

And there is a lot involved in the procedure, said Cosgrove. “The actual application process can be challenging to the uninitiated, and unforgiving if not completed to the exacting requirements set by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

“Our service is to ensure that all aspects of the application requirements are portrayed accurately and clearly, with supporting documents which meet all the criteria.

“Post-approval, if a pre-clearance visa application is required, we will prepare and advise on the details and actions necessary, and our advice continues to be available for details of the post-arrival registration in Ireland.

“Also, on instruction, we will supply a list of the required details and then complete a draft of the online application. Alongside this we will advise on the supporting documents to be submitted.”

“We will then send a draft of the application for the employer and the applicant. If clients wish to check and approve the details, then they can make payment of the €1,000 processing fee.”

Cosgrove says that final task is to upload the supporting documents for submission – then confirmation will be received, complete with details for checking the progress of the application and for any other additions, such as loved ones wishing to also come to Ireland.

With many firms still looking to employ workers from overseas, the service looks set to be as essential as ever for the foreseeable future.

“We are a commercial organisation but our prevailing instinct is first to help those seeking assistance,” he said.

“So we also advise regarding dependant family members wishing to join the applicant, as there are various regulations depending on the type of work permit applied for. Similarly, we will advise on the renewal of work permits and the opportunity for progression to permanent residency and naturalisation in Ireland.

“At the halfway point of 2023, published figures show that the going rate of around 2,500 work permit approvals a month is as 2022 – so clearly the skilled labour shortages continue unabated in the state.”

For more information, contact WorkPermits4Ireland by phone 0818-822282 or email info@workpermits4ireland.com.