The Boston office is associated with a prominent Irish frm, Shannons Associates of Dublin, and can assist in making a move to the Republic of Ireland.If you are in the states and want a fresh start, consider a move to Ireland and its successful economy. Work permits are a quick way for citizens of states outside the European Union to gain access to the robust Irish economy. The permits are issued by the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment after the application of the prospective employer. The Dublin office will work with you to carry you thru the process in as quick a fashion as is possible.

The employer, not the employee, applies for the permit. The employer registers vacancies with FÁS, the government recruitment service, for a period of four weeks. FÁS will notify its local offices of those vacancies.The initial four-week period may be dispensed with when the specific skills are considered to be in short supply. New applications for work permits from employers will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a letter from FÁS confirming that all reasonable efforts have been made by the employer, in co-operation with the FÁS Employment Services, to fill the vacancy through the domestic labour market. Employers may be asked to demonstrate the efforts made to recruit staff.

Work permits will be refused where the employee 1) entered Ireland on the basis that he or she will not be taking up employment, i.e. visitors, students or tourists, 2) is in Ireland illegally or no longer complies with the original conditions of admission, 3) was asked by the Department of Justice to leave the State or is in the process of deportation, 4) is seeking employment with a non EEA employer who is operating in Ireland without business permission from the Minister for Justice.

Work permits are not ordonarily granted to visiting students. Work permits for domestic staff are possible only where it is established that the person was in employment with a family abroad for at least one year, prior to the date of applying for a work permit. Ethnic restaurants may be granted permits. Applications will be considered for head chefs and sous chefs only. The number of permits granted will depend upon the size of the restaurant but, generally, three permits per restaurant is the maximum.

The following jobs are not available for work permits-clerical and administrative staff, general labourers and builders, retail sales representatives and management/ supervisory/ specialist sales staff, drivers, nursery workers, child minders/nannies, hotel, tourism and catering, reception staff and barpersons, bookbinders, bricklayers, cabinet makers, carpenters/joiners, carton makers, fitters, tilers, metal fabricators, mechanics, painters and decorators, plumbers, printers, sheet metal workers, tool makers, and aircraft mechanic or engineers. This is a partial list.

Also, with only a few, long-standing exceptions, asylum seekers already in Ireland and those who are applying from overseas for refugee status in Ireland are not entitled to work at all.Once you receive asylee or refugee status, you will have the right to work in Ireland.

A change in employers means a new application.If you have a work permit and wish to change employment, the new employer must apply for a new work permit. You cannot start the new job until the permit is issued. If you lose your job through downsizing you can remain and seek new employment for as long as your original work permit remains valid. When you find alternative employment you have to apply for a new work permit. However special conditions apply to work permit holders who were downsized:there are no ineligible occupations, your employer does not have to advertise the vacancy with FÁS and your application will be processed as quickly as possible. The process takes approximately six months but expedited service is available.

Once you have been issued with a work permit you have the same employment rights as Irish or EU citizens for the duration of the work permit.