Labour Market Access applications for International Protection applicants are now made online. You will need to create an Irish Immigration Service Online account to access this service. Please find Information on how to setup an online account.
We will only accept new applications on the online forms. If you previously submitted an application to the [email protected] email address, please do not apply online.
The unit is currently experiencing very high volumes of applications for Labour Market Access permission. As a consequence there is currently a delay in processing applications. To avoid further day, please ensure your address is up to date with the international protection office as this is where the permit will be posted.
Starting from the 29th January 2025, all Labour Market Access Permits will be issued via email. It is crucial to ensure that you provide your email address accurately when applying through the ISD portal to receive your permit.
Processing time is approximately 90 days.
We are aware of the current delays on renewal applications, to circumvent this, we would ask the following of Renewal Applicants and Employers:
Renewal Applications
Please submit labour market access renewal applications 2 months in advance of your current permit’s expiry date.
Employers
Please allow a grace period post-expiry (maximum 4 weeks) for permit renewal once the applicant has provided a confirmation email showing an application for labour market access renewal has been submitted.
If you have received your first instance decision from the International Protection Office within 6 months of applying for International Protection, you are not eligible for Labour Market Access and your application will be refused. Please ensure you are eligible before applying for Labour Market Access.
In This Section
Introduction
International protection applicants can be granted a permission to access the labour market.
You may be eligible for this permission, if you have been waiting 6 months or more for the first decision on your international protection application. That is 6 months after the date shown as “Application Received” on your TRC (blue card).
If you have received this first decision within 6 months you are not eligible for a Labour Market Access Permission.
Please read the information below to find out more about this permission.
About this permission
You must be an applicant for international protection to be granted Labour Market Access Permission. This permission will allow you to access employment and self-employment. It will be valid for 12 months.
You can renew the permission if you have not received a final decision on your international protection application within the 12 months. A final decision means when you have completed all appeals procedures.
Am I eligible?
You are eligible to apply if:
If you have not received a first instance decision on your international protection application within 6 months of your “Application Received” date, a permit will be posted to you.
This is provided you meet the other eligibility criteria above.
How to apply for a first LMA Permission
To apply for your first labour market access permission, you should:
Where possible identity documents should be either a passport, national ID card or birth certificate.
How to apply for renewal
To renew your labour market access permission, two months before your permission expires you should:
If your application is successful
If your application is successful, ISD will issue you a permission letter. This will be printed and posted to the address you have registered with the international protection office.
Once you begin working, your employer (or you, if self-employed) must complete the declaration form LMA5 below. The LMA5 form must be returned to the following email address: [email protected]
Further Information
For Applicants:
Starting from the 29th January 2025, all Labour Market Access Permits will be issued via email. It is crucial to ensure that you provide your email address accurately when applying through the ISD portal to receive your permit.
For Employers:
To verify the validity of a potential employee’s Labour Market Access Permit, you can check whether the permit was sent from the following official email address: [email protected]. Additionally, please ensure that the permit details match those in the information provided by the applicant.
Digital LMA Permissions will also be verified on the submission of the required LMA5 form which must be submitted to the IPO at [email protected], within 21 days of the cessation of employment.