Understanding Work Permits for NCHD’s

You have been successfully interviewed, you have your job offer and now you need to complete your paperwork. The first step in your process to secure your NCHD position in the Irish healthcare system is an application for a work permit, but which one are you applying for, what is the difference and what do you need?

In this blog, I am going to break down the two types of work permits which are available for NCHD’s and what is required when applying for them.

General Work Permit (GEP)

The General Work permit is the most common permit used for all NCHDs. As of January 2022, the department Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that all NCHDs would be issued with a two year multisite employment permit. This eliminates the need to apply for a new permit every time your place of employment changes, which for NCHDs could be every 6 months.

Critical Skills Permit (CSEP)

The CSEP is offered to an NCHD when an employer is offering a position for 2 years, it can also be issued on a multi-site basis. The main difference between the CSEP and the GEP is that if you are on a CSEP you are expected to stay with the initial employer of a minimum period of 12 months.

The Application Process

All applications for any work permit must be made 12 weeks before the start date. The applications are generally made online on the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). There is a User Guide (PDF document) available on the online system which provides a step by step explanation for each type of employment permit1

What do you need?

• Employer Details
• Employee Details
• Details of Employment
• Pay Details
• Passport size photo
• Copy of the signed contract
• Copy of your passport with at least 6 months validity

A more extensive list of the documentation required can be found by visiting General Employment Permit Checklist (PDF document)  & Critical Skills Employment Permit Checklist (PDF document).

At time of writing the current processing time for a work permits is up to 8 weeks, however this is highly dependent on of the submission of all the necessary documentation and the correct completion of the application. Finally, remember that some nationalities need entry visas in addition to work permits. An entry visa entitles the holder to enter the country, not to work. To check if you need an entry visa visit Coming to work in Ireland – Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie)