The Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is one of the most important requirements for employers applying for a General Employment Permit in Ireland. It ensures that employers have taken genuine steps to recruit within Ireland and the wider EEA before offering a position to a non-EEA national. Preparing properly for the LMNT can prevent delays, avoid permit refusals and strengthen your organisation’s compliance record.
With the right structure, documentation and internal processes, your organisation can meet this requirement confidently and efficiently. The guidance below explains how to prepare, what steps are essential and how the team at Irish Work Permits can support you.
Understanding the Labour Market Needs Test
The LMNT is designed to give priority to the Irish and EEA workforce before a role can be offered to a non-EEA national under the General Employment Permit route. Employers must demonstrate that they advertised the vacancy in the correct places, for the correct duration, and at a salary consistent with Irish labour market standards.
For employers hiring under the General Employment Permit, the LMNT is mandatory unless the role meets an exemption. For most organisations, this step is unavoidable, and it must be handled with precision to ensure the application progresses successfully.
Why the LMNT Matters for Employers
Completing the LMNT properly is not only about meeting a legal requirement. It significantly impacts:
- Application success. A flawed LMNT is one of the most common reasons General Employment Permit applications are refused.
- Compliance standing. Employers who follow the LMNT correctly build a stronger compliance record, which supports future applications.
- Recruitment planning. Understanding the LMNT helps organisations set realistic hiring timelines, especially in specialist roles.
- Audit readiness. Employers may be asked to produce evidence of advertisements and recruitment outcomes.
Preparing early ensures that recruitment remains efficient and that the organisation does not face unnecessary delays or compliance issues.
When the LMNT Applies
The Labour Market Needs Test applies to most roles under the General Employment Permit, except where specific exemptions exist. The LMNT is required when:
- The role is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List
- The annual salary does not meet the higher exemption threshold
- The employer is hiring a non-EEA national for a general or mid-skilled role
- The organisation is not eligible for special startup exemptions
If an organisation believes the role may instead qualify for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, they can explore that route to see if the LMNT can be avoided. More information on permit types is available on the Types of Work Permits page.
How to Prepare Your Organisation for the LMNT
Preparing for the LMNT involves combining HR planning, documentation management, advertising strategy and careful record-keeping. Below is a detailed, structured guide to help employers navigate each part of the process.
Define the Role Clearly
Before advertising, your organisation must have a complete and accurate job description that includes:
- Job duties
- Location
- Minimum salary
- Required experience and qualifications
- Working hours
- Employment contract terms
The job must comply with Irish employment law and industry standards. If the salary is below the minimum requirement for a General Employment Permit, the application cannot proceed. Clear job descriptions also reduce the risk of LMNT challenges.
Verify That the Role Is Eligible
Before launching the LMNT campaign, confirm the following:
- The role is not listed on the Ineligible Occupations list
- The role meets the minimum salary threshold
- The position cannot be filled by existing staff or Irish/EEA applicants
- The employer meets the 50:50 workforce rule or is eligible for an exemption
Completing these checks early prevents wasted time and resources.
Plan Your LMNT Advertising Campaign
Choose the Correct Advertising Platforms
To meet LMNT requirements, your organisation must advertise the vacancy on:
- JobsIreland/EURES, operated by the Department of Social Protection
- Another online recruitment site or national newspaper website
Both advertisements must run for at least 28 consecutive days.
Ensure the Advert Contains Required Information
Each advertisement must include:
- Employer name
- Job title
- Duties and responsibilities
- Location
- Salary (minimum and expected)
- Required skills, qualifications and experience
- Hours per week
- Contract duration
- Application method
Any missing information can invalidate the LMNT.
Keep the Advertisement Unchanged
Ads must run continuously for 28 days without:
- Editing
- Reposting
- Extending midway
- Changing salary or duties
If an employer changes any details during this period, the LMNT must start over.
Document the Advertising Process
The LMNT is only valid if employers maintain strong evidence. Prepare the following documentation:
- Screenshots of the advertisements with visible dates
- Links to the postings
- Invoices or confirmation emails from recruitment platforms
- Records showing the advertisement timeline
- Copies of all applications received
- Notes on why Irish/EEA applicants were not suitable
This documentation may be requested during the permit assessment or future audits.
Screen and Record Applicants Properly
Employers must demonstrate they genuinely considered Irish and EEA candidates. This means:
- Reviewing all applications received during the advertising period
- Keeping logs of applicants, shortlisted candidates and reasons for non-selection
- Maintaining interview records where applicable
If the employer cannot prove that Irish or EEA candidates were considered fairly, the LMNT may be challenged.
Complete the LMNT Within the Required Timeline
Once the advertisement begins:
- It must run continuously for 28 days
- The permit application must be submitted within the official LMNT timeframe
- If the application is submitted too late, the LMNT becomes invalid and must restart
Building LMNT timelines into your recruitment planning is essential to avoid repeats or delays.
Prepare the General Employment Permit Application
Once the LMNT is completed, employers can prepare the application. This includes:
- Full job description and contract
- Candidate’s qualifications, passport and CV
- Copies of all LMNT evidence
- Confirmation that the employer meets the 50:50 rule
- Details of the trading status and registration of the business
Errors in this stage are common and can cause delays. Employers should double-check all details for consistency.
Avoiding Common LMNT Mistakes
Not Advertising on Correct Platforms
Advertising on only one platform or using the wrong platform is a common cause of refusal.
Changing Advertisement Content Mid-Campaign
Even small edits invalidate the LMNT.
Salary Below the Minimum Requirement
If the salary does not meet the required threshold, the application will be refused regardless of LMNT quality.
Poor Documentation
A lack of clear evidence is one of the most frequent problems employers face during audits or application reviews.
Missing LMNT Timelines
Submitting the permit application late can invalidate the entire LMNT process.
These mistakes are fully avoidable with proactive planning and attention to detail.
Creating an Internal LMNT Compliance System
To prepare your organisation for long-term compliance, it helps to create an internal LMNT support structure:
- A standardised LMNT checklist for HR
- Templates for advertisements and job descriptions
- An internal record-keeping system
- A central LMNT documentation folder
- A compliance review before submitting each application
Employers who implement internal systems find the LMNT far easier to manage and repeat across multiple roles.
When the LMNT Does Not Apply
Your organisation may be exempt from the LMNT if:
- The role qualifies for the Critical Skills Employment Permit
- The salary is high enough to meet exemption criteria
- The employer is an eligible start-up company supported by an Irish development agency
If you believe another route might be a better fit, you can explore alternative permit types through the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Benefits of Getting the LMNT Right
A carefully planned and documented LMNT gives your organisation:
- Higher likelihood of General Employment Permit approval
- Better compliance standing with Irish authorities
- More predictable recruitment timelines
- Stronger evidence for audits or permit reviews
- Smoother experiences when hiring international talent in the future
Preparing effectively for the LMNT can save your organisation weeks of delays, avoid costly refusals and support long-term hiring strategies.
How Irish Work Permits Helps Employers
The team at Irish Work Permits provides full support to organisations preparing for the LMNT and applying for a General Employment Permit. Their services include:
- Reviewing eligibility before advertising begins
- Preparing LMNT-compliant advertisements
- Managing timelines and record-keeping
- Reviewing or compiling documentation
- Handling the General Employment Permit submission
- Advising on long-term workforce planning and future permit strategies
Employers benefit from expert guidance, reduced risk of application refusal and a streamlined recruitment process from start to finish.
Conclusion
Preparing your organisation for the Labour Market Needs Test is essential when applying for a General Employment Permit. By planning the advertising campaign carefully, documenting each step, reviewing applicants thoroughly and aligning HR processes with Irish immigration requirements, you can ensure a smooth and compliant application process.
If your business needs tailored assistance or expert guidance at any stage of the LMNT, you can contact the team through the contact page on the Irish Work Permits website.
