Critical skills going deeper into the information and getting a job offer and work permit

Going deeper into Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP)

So you have checked you are Eligible, you have checked what the criteria are for a Critical Skills work permit. And you have already read our page on the Basics of a Critical skills work permit... now you want more of the finer information... how do you get a job and get this process going?

 

SA passport holders cannot fly without a visa
VISA FREE ENTRY IS OVER AS OF WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY 2024

THERE IS A WINDOW FOR PEOPLE WITH BOOKINGS MADE PRIOR TO 10 JULY TO ENTER PRIOR TO 9TH AUGUST

NEW VISA- what we know so far- updates will be here

 

 

Confused or lost and need some direction,
book a session with us to help untangle the confusion
and work out your route of immigration

We offer a range of SUPPORTS to assist with your move.
 We don't recommend you join our website until
you have checked your eligibility to make the move.
Once you are sure REGISTER HERE 

 


Recognition of qualifications and Registration with Irish bodies or organisations:

 

 

Most registrations with bodies or organisations usually take the form of 2 stages: Recognition of your qualifications and then the Registration process.

Depending on the nature of the career or the type of registration you may need to get hold of transcripts of your degree and results, you may need to contact your Tertiary Education Insitution where you studied.

Give yourself plenty time to get this done.

We don't recommend you go seeking work until this is done, job offers have been retracted and work permits declined because the applicant cannot get registration done in time.

It's therefore advised if you are in the investigation stage of moving to Ireland that you start gathering documents you need and do the reading on registration for that particular Body and how it works long before you proceed.

Time frames could be 6-12 months for some, it may be weeks for others. This will be an important factor when it comes to your time-lines on applying for work and doing things like selling your home in SA. On the whole, we do not recommend you sell much, until your work permit has been approved, nothing worse than being in a situation where you have given up a job, a home and everything in SA and your Work Permit is declined.

If this isn't a requirement, you may want to look at joining organisations or bodies regardless to assist in finding work in that field.

This could add clout to your job applications. You may not HAVE to... but will it benefit you? Do they have a job portal on their website for members for example? Will you have access to networking with potential employers in that field? What about skills training or industry updates that may not be in SA yet?

"Professional bodies are organisations which act on behalf of the interests of those working within a particular industry or speciality and the public interest.

The aim of these organisations is to maintain control and standards of the profession.

These bodies often run certification programmes to further improve and update the skills of practitioners.

Becoming a member of a professional body can have many benefits, such as:

  • Networking can become easier and more applicable through industry relevant events held by the organisation and attended by your peers.
  • Upskilling can become more affordable through workshops and courses available to members at a reduced cost.
  • Access to resources and guidance.
  • Access to industry insights that may otherwise be tricky to source.
  • New employers will recognise membership as a commitment to your career and to the highest standards of your profession."

Wallace Myers- Bodies and Organisation registrations HERE

Also you may want to check with Competent Authorities here: competent authorities If you do not find your profession on this list of competent authorities, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 See link below for details on Registering with Organisations and bodies BEFORE looking for work

 


 Check your qualifications 

 

Ireland has a different education system and terminology of what degrees are or what they are in equivalent terms may be an important part of the job application process.

Make sure to include in your CV the full name of your degree but also what that is in Irish terminology, so include the NQF level.

Careers may have different names or terminology, so do some job searches on the relevant employment sites and see whether job terminology is the same.

Also, refer back to the SOC code ONS tool to see what qualifications are required for

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system of 10 levels which allows you to compare different types and levels of qualifications available in Ireland. Qualifications on the framework include:

  • Junior Certificate (NFQ Level 3)
  • Leaving Certificate (NFQ Levels 4 and 5)
  • Advanced Certificate – Craft / Higher Certificate(NFQ Level 6)
  • Ordinary Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 7)
  • Honours Bachelor Degree / Higher Diploma (NFQ Level 8)
  • Masters Degree (NFQ Level 9)
  • Doctoral Degree (NFQ Level 10)

 Click on South Africa, your Education level, and on the new window you will see the details of your degree/ qualifications. Click on the one that applies to you.

 

Download a Comparability Statement which can be attached to your CV or covernote to go with your job applications.

If your degree is not on there you can request Request for Advice on Recognition of a Foreign Qualification HERE

See link below for details on checking your qualifications BEFORE looking for work 

 "How do I know if my qualification is equivalent to an Irish degree?

The eligibility criteria for a Critical Skills Employment Permit include a requirement that the prospective permit holder must hold:
a third level degree relevant to the employment concerned if the annual remuneration on offer is €32,000 or more, or

a third level degree relevant to the employment concerned or necessary experience if the annual remuneration on offer is €64,000 or more.

Qualification levels in Ireland are determined by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) and that body is the appropriate authority to confirm whether the level of a qualification achieves the NFQ level 7 or above (ISCED level 6 or above) which is required for Critical Skills Employment Permit
eligibility.

Information on the recognition of foreign qualifications can be found at NARIC Website. If you feel that your qualifications are equivalent to an NFQ level 7 qualification (ISCED level 6) or above, confirmation from the QQI of the equivalence of your qualifications must be provided.

Foreign nationals who are the holders of diplomas which equate to level 6 on the NFQ are not eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit but may apply for a General Employment Permit." Enterprise.gov.ie

 


 Your CV and Tips on applying for jobs

 

Your best investment either in your own time or if you pay someone to do it for you, is your CV.

The SA format is usually long and tedious and will be ignored by most Irish employers.

They want to see a short, consise, results driven CV. Using certain catchphrases or terms will also improve your chances because of the computerised systems that review your CV in many cases before a human being even sees it! You want to invest into this so that your CV is seen by a human being, and that your CV stands out against all the others. You may want to invest in a Professional CV writer- make sure this person has experience specific to the Irish market, or you may want to research and do it yourself.

Like anything, you can do things yourself step-by-step or you can invest in someone to walk you through the process. That choice is yours.

We have a full article on CV Writing and lists of recruiters, be sure to read this, as recruiters are NOT the only way to find work.

    Getting Employed: CV writing and Recruiters - written in 2 parts: 1 focussing on CV writing, registration and recognition of qualifications and another on specifically how to find employment, employers and recruiters

   List of recruiters

This article above covers all of the following:

  • Compiling your Curriculum Vitae
  • Curriculum Vitae Templates
  • Generating effective CV's
  • CV do's and do nots- what to include and exclude from a CV
  • Recruitment Agents and Websites
  • LINKEDIN (and social media presence)
  • Things employers are looking for

 


I have a job offer what now?

 

The entire application process cannot be done whilst in Ireland, you must do all applications from South Africa.

Applying whilst in the Republic of Ireland will result in a refusal of your work permit as will coming to Ireland whilst your work permit is in progress of being processed.

You can only come to Ireland when you have that work permit in your possession, it is needed as proof to enter the country.*

*Only exceptions would be where you already have a residency permit (IRP) from an existing status and you are applying for a new work permit.

*For example: EU treaty to work permit, or study to work permit, or spouse of a work permit holder with an IRP in hand applying for a work permit of their own.

*You can enter for an Interview prior to work permit application, and then return to SA to do the rest of the offer/ application process. Visiting Ireland HERE

 

On a job offer from a company or employer, you or the employer can submit a work permit application.

In order to be approved the following must be upheld:

  • This company must be trading in Ireland and registered with the Companies Registration Office.
  • This company must be registered with Revenue
  • You must be directly employed and paid by your employer in Ireland.
  • Job offers from recruitment agencies and other intermediaries are not acceptable for this permit.
  • The job offer must be for 2 years or more.
  • This company must have more than 50% of the employees that are EEA nationals. (There is an exception on this where the company is case of start-up companies which are supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland)
  • You must have the relevant qualifications, skills and experience required for the job. For jobs in the €32,000 or more salary range you must have a degree or higher qualification.
  • You must have the relevant qualifications, skills and experience required for the job. For jobs with an annual salary of €64,000 or over, you must have a degree or equivalent experience.

A labour market needs test is not required for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, so the employer does not need to advertise the job with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection employment services/ EURES or in newspapers.

In other words, the employer needs to be an Irish company, registered in Ireland, proof of their up to date tax returns and 50% of their staff in their employment must be Irish, EU or British citizens in order for them to offer you a job. The employee must be qualified and experienced in that field, where applicable. In certain careers you have to have the formal degree in that field, an obvious example would be a Medical Doctor, if you have a Nursing degree you can't work as a Doctor. In all circumstances (except if a career is an ineligible one) if the salary is over EUR64,000 you can apply for a critical skills work permit, if you have experience alone and no qualifications. It also needs to be a 2 year contract of employment.

See link below for details from the DETE on the application

 


Work Permit Seekers and looking for work whilst on Holiday/Visiting in Ireland

 

No, you cannot seek work whilst in Ireland and you cannot come to Ireland until that work permit is approved.

 

 


Trusted partners

 

A company wishing to employ Non-EU staff regularly can apply to become a Trusted partner. When Trusted Partner status is granted a unique Trusted Partner Registration Number is assigned. Applicants granted Trusted Partner status will have access to their own suite of employment permit application forms where they must only provide their Trusted Partner Registration number in lieu of all employer details. Once done, this shaves off time on the application process, because once registered, DBEI does not need to investigate the company and the employee on the work permit, because half the work is done already. It also means the company knows the requirements of critical skills and general work permits, how things like the 50:50 rule and how jobs need to be posted on EURES for the labour market needs etc etc for General work permits. The application is free, and is valid for 2 years.

The benefits of the Trusted Partner Initiative are:-

  • Fast turnaround of Trusted Partner registration applications
  • Status valid for 2 years
  • No fee
  • Reduced paperwork for every permit applied for under the scheme
  • Shortened employment permit application forms
  • Faster turnaround of Trusted Partner employment permit applications.
  • An application to register as a Trusted Partner can be made online on the Employment Permits Online System

There is no lists of Trusted partners, but you can look at previous years work permit approvals and see which companies have had sucessful permits applied to it's non-EU staff (see link below)

Trusted Partner applications (New/Renewal) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 See link below for details from the DETE on a company becoming a trusted partner.

 


 Fees and Processing of your work permit

 

The fee for a Work Permit must be paid by the applicant. The applicant can be the employer, the employee, a connected person or contractor, or an authorised agent.

Payments from businesses are made by electronic fund transfer (EFT).

Currently this fee is EUR1000.

Applications are processed in chronological order, nothing can get your application done quicker or slower, unless the company is registered as a Trusted Partner with DETE.

If an application is refused or withdrawn, 90% of the fee will be refunded to the applicant.

The fee for the Certificate of Registration is €300. This is done once you are in Ireland at a Garda Immigration (Burgh Quay if in Dublin or in the town or district where you live outside of Dublin).

You need to do this to get permission to remain and to ensure you have the correct immigration status, as an employee.

You will be given a Certificate of Registration which is also known as an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) (formerly called a GNIB card).

 See link below for details on how to make the application and on Registering at Garda Immigration once you are in Ireland

 


Dependants

 

You can have your spouse, partner and minor dependant children (under 18 years) join you once you have your Critical Skills Employment Permit and come with you to live and work.

The CSEP holder gets a Stamp1. Stamps and what they mean HERE

Their spouse/ de facto partner will get a Stamp3 by default, should they want to work they need to request at registration at Garda Immigration for a Stamp 1G.

They need to have private medical in order to get this Stamp1G.

Please see the link below on the Stamps and what they allow each member to do in Ireland. Most importantly is to note, that the Spouse of a CSEP holder cannot work unless they have applied for a Stamp1g.

They cannot own a business or trade in any way or form without their own work permit allowing them to work or a very expensive investment visa if they choose to own a business or trade.

It is VERY important to note that getting caught working or trading without a visa to do this can result in refusal of residency and a deportation order.

Also, depending on the ages of your children, depend on what they can or cannot do in Ireland so be certain to read the next article on

Spouses and Children of Work permits and their Stamps explained

If you are not married, you need a pre-clearance visa for your De facto partner to join you in Ireland. This is where you need to have been living together in a marriage-like relationship, at the same address for the 2 years prior to application.

De Facto (unmarried) Partners and Proofs required - If you are an Unmarried couple, what documents to prepare for your move

See links below on Family Reunification, Dependants and De facto

 


Entry Visas for South African passport holders

 

If you, your spouse and children are all South African Passport holders, you do not need an entry visa into Ireland. This is because Ireland and South Africa have a special agreement that allows South Africans to enter Ireland visa free.

This entry however is subject to having sufficient paperwork at entry, this is discussed later in the Resources section “Entry into Ireland.”

At entry into Ireland you will get an entry stamp of up to 90 days for all South African members of your family. This entry stamp will be placed in the South African members passports.

An employment permit is not a Residence Permission. In order to be lawfully resident in the State, it is a requirement that all non-EEA nationals in possession of an employment permit must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. It is in the best interest of the persons concerned to register as soon as possible following arrival. Delay in registering with Garda National Immigration Bureau could affect applications in the granting of long term residency and/or citizenship. Immigration permission to remain should, where applicable, be renewed at least one month before the expiry date in order to avoid unlawful presence in the State.

See link below on how the GWP holder registers at Garda Immigration when they arrive and Renewals of Residency stamps. The cost of this residency stamp for each applicant over the age of 16years is EUR300

 


Work permit holders and travel to the EU and UK

 

Once a South African passport holder is in possession of the IRP card, they can apply for visas for the UK (Standard UK visitor visa) or the EU/EEA to the country they want to visit.

Holding an IRP for Ireland does not automatically give rights to travel to the EU/EEA or UK. The IRP is permission live and work in Ireland alone.

If the country is in the Schengen zone that you wish to visit, you apply for a Schengen visa for that country.

If any other country, apply direct for that country.

 


 Extra Hints and Tips

Note if you are a Doctor:

  • Very often Doctors receive only 1 year work offers from the hosiptal or practice where they apply for work. As a result this does not give you a Critical Skills Work Permit, instead you get a General Work Permit. However, the Minister of Justice has made allowance for this in giving immediate family reunification as exceptional circumstances. Please do email the work permit department for clarification: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • A new announcement affecting medical doctors and their families announced 8/3/22
  • AMAZING document here to download- its a .pdf so will come down into your downlod file of your device

 


 SA2Eire are going to go through this process step-by-step with you:

 


 

Important links: 

 

  #MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration

   Bodies/Organisations you would need to register with for certain careers

   Qualifications being recognised Naric

   Trusted Partner Initiative

   DETE Work permit applications

   Employment Permit Applications - Online Status Update Enquiry

   Previous year's approved work permits - a great list to see which companies are hiring Non-EU staff

   Processing times and dates

   What are the terms and conditions of my and my family's residency Stamp

   Do I need an entry visa if I am coming to work?

  Do my family members need an entry visa to come with me or join me after I am in Ireland?

  Register at Garda Immigration - How to register at Garda Immigration and Renewals of Residency stamps once you have moved to Ireland

   Online Work permit userguide- this is a .pdf which will download to your device download file

   For companies Trusted partner checklist- this is a .pdf which will download to your device download file

   Salary Guides

Family Reunification Document -  Extended family members of Irish and Work permit holders, we have gone through this 71 page document page by page with a breakdown and information. MUST READ

   Where you are bringing an elderly parent and the sponsor is Irish or Critical skills work permit, a pre-clearance D Visa is required