Ireland Sport and Cultural Employment Permit

Foreign nationals with the qualifications, skills and experience required for employment in Ireland's sporting or cultural sectors.

• Sporting or cultural work

  The permit is for employment involving the development, operation and capacity of sporting and cultural activities.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Relevant capabilities

  The foreign national must possess the relevant qualifications, skills and experience required for the employment; the page gives no fixed qualification or years-of-experience threshold.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Minimum pay

  Remuneration must be National Minimum Wage or higher.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Registered employer

  The employer must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, if applicable, with the Companies Registration Office or Registry of Friendly Societies, and must be currently trading in Ireland.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Direct employment

  An employer–employee relationship must exist: the employee must be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Employer's EEA workforce

  At the time of application, 50% or more of the firm's employees must be EEA nationals.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Signed employment contract

  A contract of employment signed by both parties must be submitted with the application.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Apply before work starts

  The employment permit application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• First permit, six months or lessenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€500 per person
• First permit, up to 24 monthsenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€1,000 per person
• Renewal, six months or lessenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€750 per person
• Renewal, up to 36 months, as stated on the employment permit fees pageenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€1,500 per person

1. Get ready

   • Secure suitable employment

     Find sporting or cultural employment for which you have the relevant qualifications, skills and experience, with remuneration at or above National Minimum Wage.

   • Check the employer's eligibility

     Confirm that the employer is registered and trading in Ireland, will employ and pay you directly, and meets the 50% EEA-employee condition.

   • Sign the employment contract

     Arrange for both you and the employer to sign the contract that must accompany the application.

     You’ll need: Employment contract signed by both parties

   • Set up online accounts

     The employer and employee must each set up an Employment Permits Online account to complete their parts of the application.

     You’ll need: Employer Revenue details, Employer Companies Registration Office details

2. Apply

   • Submit the permit application

     Apply through Employment Permits Online in time for the application to be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date, and pay the applicable fee.

     You’ll need: Employment contract signed by both parties

   • Respond to any information request

     If the permit processor requests additional information, return it within 28 days.

3. Visa

   • Apply for an entry visa if required

     After the employment permit is granted, apply to your local Irish embassy or consulate for an entry visa if you need one.

     You’ll need: Employment permit

4. Travel

   • Bring your documents to Ireland

     Have your original employment permit and other relevant supporting documents available for inspection by an immigration officer on arrival.

     You’ll need: Original employment permit, Relevant supporting documents

5. Settle in

   • Register your immigration permission

     After arrival, register your immigration permission, because the employment permit is not itself residence permission.

     You’ll need: Employment permit

The permit may be renewed. The route's guidance says a holder who has held valid permits for at least five consecutive years and worked lawfully during that time may be able to apply for a temporary Stamp 4; it also envisages an application for long-term residency after an initial permit and a further three-year extension.

• Fees - DETEenterprise.gov.ieOfficial
• Employment Permits - DETE enterprise.gov.ieOfficial
• enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permi…Official
• enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permi…Official
• Sport and Cultural Employment Permit - DETEenterprise.gov.ieOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.