Reactivation Employment Permit

Regularise your immigration status and resume legal work in Ireland without leaving the country, even after losing your status for reasons beyond your control.

The Reactivation Employment Permit is a specific permit within the Irish immigration system, aimed at non-EEA workers who previously held a valid employment permit and lost their immigration status for reasons beyond their control (involuntary dismissal, labour exploitation, employer administrative failures). It allows the worker to regularise their immigration situation and resume legal work in Ireland without leaving the State to apply for a new visa.

Key characteristics

Aimed at non-EEA workers who previously held a valid employment permit
Applies to a broad range of occupations, including those on the DETE Ineligible List of Occupations
Pay must be equal to or above the National Minimum Wage
Does not require a Labour Market Needs Test
Corrects status loss situations that were not the worker's fault
Allows immigration progression and access to Stamp 4 after continuous legal residence

A 2-step process

Regularisation through the Reactivation Employment Permit follows a structured two-phase process, starting with temporary permission and moving on to the formal permit application.

1

Applying for Temporary Immigration Permission

Before applying for the Reactivation permit, status must be regularised with the Department of Justice. This step grants up to 6 months of legal permission, usually under a temporary Stamp 1, allowing the person to look for work and prepare the application while avoiding periods of irregular residence. It is a mandatory step before submission to the DETE.

2

Applying for the Reactivation Employment Permit

After obtaining temporary permission, the next step is to submit the application through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), already backed by a valid job offer from an Irish employer.

Requirements

Candidate requirements

Have previously held a valid employment permit
Have lost status for reasons beyond their control
Have obtained temporary permission (up to 6 months) from the Department of Justice
Have a genuine job offer
Submit the application through EPOS

Employer requirements

Be legally established and operating in Ireland
Be registered with the Revenue Commissioners
Be compliant with labour and tax legislation
Offer a genuine job with wages paid directly to the worker
Comply with the 50:50 rule (at least 50% Irish/EEA citizen employees)
The Labour Market Needs Test is not required

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