Applying for an Irish work permit can be an exciting step—but missteps in documentation, eligibility criteria or process compliance can lead to refusal. This guide outlines the most frequent causes for refusal, explains why they matter, and provides actionable advice to strengthen applications. For personalised support tailored to your case, visit Ireland Work Permits or get in touch via contact us.
1. Missing or Incomplete Documentation
One of the most common—and entirely avoidable—reasons for denial is failure to submit the required documents:
- Missing proofs such as signed employment contracts or properly formatted job advertisements.
- Absence of professional qualifications, immigration status documentation, or incorrectly filled application forms.
- Forged or inaccurate documents are especially damaging and often result in immediate refusal—and may impact future applications.
Tip: Use a checklist, have a second pair of eyes review your packet, and ensure digital files are clearly labelled before submitting.
2. Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) Not Completed
For many permit types—like the General Employment Permit—the Labour Market Needs Test must be satisfied:
- Employers must advertise the vacancy for four weeks with the Department of Employment Affairs/EURES and for an additional four weeks on a separate online platform.
- The posting must include details such as job description, employer, salary, location and hours.
- If this step was missed or improperly executed, it cannot be remedied during a review.
Best Practice: Begin LMNT well ahead of permit submission, tracking each advert and keeping screenshots or PDFs of the postings.
3. Remuneration & Job Title Mismatches
Irish regulations prescribe precise requirements for remuneration and job titles based on permit category:
- Critical Skills Permits require salaries above €38,000 or €64,000 depending on role.
- For General Permits, minimum thresholds (e.g., around €34,000) must be met.
- If job title or pay details are unclear or under threshold, refusal may follow—and such errors are not fixable in review unless justified with credible explanation.
Action: Double-check job titles and salary figures before submission, referencing official lists and legislation.
4. Unrecognised Qualifications or Lack of Experience
If you apply for a Critical Skills Permit but:
- Your profession doesn’t appear on the official list,
- Your degree or experience doesn’t match the salary band, or
- Entrants like nurses lack recognition from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland—then refusal is probable.
Advice: Confirm occupation eligibility and professional recognition before applying. Consider alternatives like the General Employment Permit where relevant.
5. Poor Immigration or Legal Status at Application Time
Applying when already in Ireland, but without appropriate immigration permission can be grounds for refusal:
- The Employment Permits Acts allow the Minister discretion to refuse if the applicant lacks immigration permission at time of application.
Recommendation: Only apply if you hold lawful immigration status, such as Stamp 1, 1G, 2 or similar.
6. Organisation’s Workforce Composition – The 50/50 Rule
For certain applications, the proportion of EEA vs non‑EEA staff matters:
- A notable example is the “50/50 Rule”, requiring firms to maintain at least half of their workforce as EEA nationals.
- Failure to meet this can be a refusal reason, and cannot be altered during review.
Ensure: Employers are aware of staff composition standards before applying.
7. Prior Violations, Criminal Records or Fraudulent Details
History matters:
- Past visa refusals, illegitimate job offers, criminal records, or misrepresentation of facts may influence the decision negatively.
- Immigration and employment authorities conduct background checks and may consult INTERPOL or Gardaí for verification.
Be Honest: Disclose prior refusals, remain transparent in applications, and provide additional documentation when needed.
8. False Information or Misrepresentation
Even small data discrepancies—typos, altered details, or unsupported claims—can derail applications:
- Misstatements, even accidental, can lead to refusal. These include inconsistent employment history, financial figures or resume details.
Perform audits: Cross-check all personal and employment data, ensuring consistency across documents.
9. Using Job Offers from Dubious or Unverified Employers
To obtain a permit, you must have a genuine, named employer:
- If the job offer appears suspicious—unverified employer or unclear sponsorship—consular officers may reject the application.
Tip: Use credible employers with a known presence in Ireland, and provide supporting company documentation if needed.
10. Late or Incorrect Fee Payment and Submission Issues
Procedural errors matter:
- Incorrect fee, incomplete forms, or missing signatures can result in refusal.
- For visa-stage applications, failure to submit documents within 30 days of AVATS creation also causes delays or refusals.
Checklist: Review all submission guidelines carefully and pay the correct amount before finalising.
What Happens if Your Application Is Refused?
Official refusal letters should state the reasons for denial. You may request a review within 28 days via the online portal.
However, certain refusal reasons—like LMNT errors or fundamental eligibility issues—may not be rectifiable in review.
Next steps: Depending on reason, either appeal with corrections or submit a fresh application after addressing deficiencies.
Frequent Grounds for Irish Work Permit Refusal
| Reason | Why It Matters | Preventative Measure |
| Missing/incomplete documents | Essential materials not provided | Use a document checklist |
| LMNT not conducted properly | Required for General Permit | Complete advertising fully |
| Incorrect job title or salary | Legal thresholds apply | Verify roles and pay align with regulation |
| Qualifications not recognised | Makes applicant ineligible | Confirm recognition or use different permit |
| Wrong immigration status | May breach eligibility rules | Apply only if immigration status is valid |
| 50/50 workforce ratio not met | Regulation compliance issue | Ensure employer meets EEA staff ratios |
| Prior immigration or criminal issues | Raises trust concerns | Disclose fully and provide context |
| Misrepresentation or fraud | Serious violation influencing outcomes | Ensure all information is accurate |
| Dubious job offer | Employer credibility questioned | Use recognised and verifiable sponsors |
| Submission errors (fees, deadlines) | Can invalidate whole application | Follow submission guidelines strictly |
Final Thoughts
Irish work permit refusals often stem from avoidable oversights. Being rigorous about documentation, eligibility checks, LMNT, employer credibility, and adherence to legal requirements reduces the chance of refusal significantly. When in doubt, seeking guidance from experts helps smooth the process.
For professional help that’s tailored to your circumstances, be it preparing documents, handling appeals, or selecting eligible permit types—visit Ireland Work Permits or use the contact page. Skilled support can improve your application’s accuracy and outcome.
