General Employment Permit (GEP) — €30,000+ non-SOL occupations

Build a General Employment Permit (GEP) strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] hired by [EMPLOYER_NAME] as [POSITION_TITLE] at EUR [ANNUAL_SALARY_EUR]. Occupation: [OCCUPATION].

§1 — GEP OVERVIEW (90-110 words)
Section 3F of Employment Permits Acts. Standard work permit for skilled occupations NOT on Critical Skills List but NOT on Ineligible Occupations List. Features:
  • Salary threshold: EUR 34,000+ for new applications (2024 revision; was EUR 30,000 prior) [VERIFY current]
  • Some specific sub-occupations: lower thresholds with sectoral derogations
  • Permit duration: up to 2 years initial; renewable
  • Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) required (vs CSEP exempt)
  • Family reunification: spouse + children after 12 months on GEP
  • Stamp 4 pathway: after 5 years legal residence (slower than CSEP's 2 years)
  • Employer-specific; change of employer requires new permit

§2 — LABOUR MARKET NEEDS TEST (110-140 words)
GEP requires [EMPLOYER_NAME] to demonstrate genuine attempt to recruit EEA workers before nominating [CLIENT_NAME]:
  • Advertise on at least 3 platforms:
    - EURES (European Employment Services) — mandatory
    - National media OR online job board (Irishjobs.ie, Jobs.ie, LinkedIn)
    - Second print/online medium
  • Advertising period: 28 days minimum
  • Include: title, salary, location, duties, contact, qualifications
  • Document applications received + reason for non-selection
  • LMNT waived for:
    - CSEP-eligible occupations (where GEP filed instead)
    - Some derogation occupations (chefs, healthcare, transport, construction with specific sectoral arrangements)
    - Renewals where worker already in role

§3 — OCCUPATION ELIGIBILITY (60-80 words)
[OCCUPATION] must:
  • NOT be on Ineligible Occupations List (manual / administrative / unskilled roles, retail, catering except chefs, some service sectors)
  • Match qualification requirements
  • Be at appropriate skill level (typically NFQ 6+ equivalent)
Verify current Ineligible Occupations List at enterprise.gov.ie. Sectoral arrangements regularly updated for healthcare + hospitality + construction.

§4 — APPLICATION + FEES (80-100 words)
Apply via EPOS:
  • Filing: employer OR worker (typically employer)
  • Fee: EUR 500 (6-month permit); EUR 1,000 (2-year)
  • Renewal fee: similar scale
  • Required documents:
    - Job offer + employment contract
    - Salary evidence (EUR [ANNUAL_SALARY_EUR])
    - LMNT evidence bundle
    - Employer business documents + tax compliance
    - Worker passport + qualifications + experience
  • Processing: 4-12 weeks typical
  • 50:50 rule: [EMPLOYER_NAME] must have ≥50% EEA workforce (some startup exemptions)

§5 — STAMP 1 REGISTRATION + WORK CONDITIONS (60-80 words)
After GEP issued + D-visa obtained:
  • Register at Burgh Quay / regional GNIB within 90 days of arrival
  • IRP card with Stamp 1 endorsement
  • Stamp 1 = employer-specific permission
  • Permitted: work for [EMPLOYER_NAME] only in [POSITION_TITLE]
  • Change of role / employer: new GEP required (employer transfer permit) or restart
  • Annual IRP renewal

§6 — STAMP 4 + INDIAN COHORT (60-80 words)
GEP path to Stamp 4:
  • 5 years legal residence (counts from Stamp 1 grant)
  • Application via Department of Justice (ISD) for Stamp 4 LTR
  • Stamp 4 = unrestricted work; no permit needed
For Indian-cohort: GEP suitable for mid-skill professionals not on CSOL — accountants, project managers, marketers, sales, hospitality (chefs), retail management. 5-year wait vs CSEP's 2 years is significant; if occupation can be reclassified to CSOL category, prefer CSEP.

End with: "DRAFT GEP STRATEGY — for review by Irish solicitor or qualified immigration adviser. LMNT compliance is the highest-failure step; document advertising rigorously. Confirm [OCCUPATION] not on Ineligible List + EUR [ANNUAL_SALARY_EUR] meets EUR 34,000 threshold."