Employment Permits Online has now launched and can be accessed at Employment Permits Online.
Why the change
What's different
Details about the new system
Support tools
Technical support
Further information
Why the change?
The previous employment permit service utilised older technologies which were first introduced some years ago and required updating. Our move to a modern cloud-based system will transform the way in which employment permits are submitted, processed and issued. The new system will deliver an improved customer experience and a more efficient and responsive service.
What's different?
The new system introduces a portal space with separate and individual accounts for both employers, employees and agents, making it easier to get up-to-date information on the status of applications. It also provide individual users with more ownership over the management of their accounts.
The new employment permits system makes the application process easier, more secure, more intuitive and in so doing will reduce inaccuracies in the submission of applications, resulting in more streamlined processing.
Details about the new system
Registration
Employment Permits Online requires all users (employer, employee and agent) to set up a portal account, in order to access the system and to submit future employment permit applications. This involves confirming an email address and password and verifying these via a secure Multi Factor Authentication process (using mobile phone confirmation). This process is necessary to ensure that the integrity and security of Employment Permits Online is maintained for all users.
For employers, registration also requires the provision of some key additional documents, that is, Revenue and CRO details. Once these documents have been uploaded and validated (by the Employment Permits Unit) accounts will be ready to go.
The initial email address used to register a portal account will be set as the ‘Administrator’ for the account. More than one administrator can be assigned for an account.
Once the account is verified by the Employment Permits Unit, the administrator for any employer or agent account will be able to add or remove additional contact points (email addresses) listed under the account. There is no limit to the number of additional contact points that can be added to an account. All contact points can prepare and submit employment permit applications.
Portal account
Once registration has been completed (including verification), users will have access to their new portal accounts. Portal accounts provide a record of current and historic applications, as well as a new ‘status update’ feature – allowing users to see at what stage of the process any current applications have reached (draft, awaiting payment, processing, requested information, issued, refused, appeal and so on).
Another key feature of portal accounts is the level of control users have over them. Accounts are managed via the use of core and non-core requirements. Changes to core requirements such as the submission or renewal of Revenue or CRO documentation, involve additional validation by the Employment Permits Unit, while non-core requirements (that is, employer business locations or additional contact details) can be updated directly by the user.
Enhanced data protection
Requests from DETE will issue as an email from Employment Permits Online direct to the verified email addresses of the parties (employer, employee or agent) linked to the application. The parties can then ‘reply’ to this email, which is then returned directly to the application record on the employment permits system.
The portal itself can be used by the account holder to update their profile as well as certain permit information. Changes to core requirements such as business address, renewal of Revenue or CRO details, involve additional validation by the Employment Permits Unit. While non-core requirements (business locations or additional contact details) can be updated directly by the relevant party.
Additionally, the submission of requests for permit renewals, change of employer, appeals, withdrawals, cancellations, and so on all take place through the portal account. Any relevant documents associated with the processing of these requests by the employment permits team, will also be requested to be provided.
Joint applications
An additional feature of Employment Permits Online, is that all employment permit applications will be jointly completed online by the parties involved, the employer and prospective employee (as well as the appointed agent, if applicable). The employee will directly provide the personal information relevant to themselves, with the employer completing the fields relevant to their sections of the application. For agents, they will be able to provide the details for the party on whose behalf they are acting. The application will be signed by all parties involved using an e-signature.
Trusted Partner Initiative
As all employers are required to submit relevant revenue documentation and CRO number to set up and maintain a valid portal account under the new system, there is no longer a requirement for a separate Trusted Partner Initiative. Therefore, there is no Trusted Partner status on the Employment Permits Online system. All employers will now operate from portal accounts, which will deliver more efficient processing of applications to all users.
Support tools
Employment Permits Online has been designed to be as intuitive as possible. However, the look and feel of the system is different, especially the portal account area. Therefore, to assist users in their understanding of how Employment Permits Online operates, the Employment Permits Unit is providing a number of support tools. These support tools include:
How to create an employer account
Watch on YouTube: How to create an Employer Account - YouTube
How to create an employee account
Watch on YouTube: How to create an Employee Account - YouTube
How to make a General Employment Permit application
Watch on YouTube: How to make a General Employment Permit Application - YouTube
Information webinar - 17 April 2025
Watch on YouTube: Employment Permits Online Information Webinar 17 April 2025 - YouTube
User Guide
Employment Permits Online User Guide (PDF, 4.4MB)
FAQs
Employment Permits FAQs (PDF, 903KB)
Technical support
Technical queries on the new system should be directed to EPOS@enterprise.gov.ie (this mailbox is for new system queries only).
Please ensure you have reviewed the full suite of SUPPORT TOOLS and watched the online video before submitting your query.
Further information
The department will keep this dedicated webpage updated with further information.
We are aware that users need a period of time to become familiar with the new layout, flow and functionality of the new system. This is also the case for the Employment Permits Unit and so we are anticipating some minimal impact on processing timelines during this initial phase. We would ask for your patience during this period while familiarity with Employment Permits Online beds in for all users.
We would strongly advise all users of the old EPOS system to familiarise themselves with the new features and additional functionality of Employment Permits Online. This approach should assist users in avoiding any potential delays in the submission of future permit applications.
Employment Permits Team