Ireland immigration changes: week of 19 October 2026

Ireland plans one application instead of two: work permit and residence permission to be merged for skilled workers

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Today, a person from outside the European Economic Area who wants to work in Ireland must apply twice: once to one department for a work permit, then again to another for permission to live there. The government has agreed in principle to replace this with one combined application. A group of officials from both departments will prepare a plan within six months. Nothing has changed yet.

This is an announcement, not a law. Nothing has changed yet, announced plans are often changed or dropped, and there is nothing to apply under until it is in force.

Official source: Single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions to be developed