Bring a worker who lost permission through no fault of their own back into lawful, sponsored employment.
Restore
Lawful status
No LMNT
No advertising
0 to 13 wks
DETE decision
EUR 0
Permit fee
When a foreign national entered Ireland lawfully on an employment permit but fell out of the system, often through employer exploitation, insolvency or circumstances beyond their control, the Reactivation Employment Permit is the route back to legal work.
Ref REP-13, typed for the wall
No fault
The Reactivation Employment Permit lets a worker who fell out of permission through no fault of their own, for example through employer exploitation, regularise their status and return to legal employment.
The Department will not consider a Reactivation application until Immigration Service Delivery has issued the person a temporary Stamp 1 permission letter.
Bring a worker who lost permission through no fault of their own back into lawful, sponsored employment.
Entry 01 · registered
We confirm the worker previously held a valid employment permit and lost permission through circumstances outside their control, then map the evidence needed to prove it.
Entry 02 · registered
We prepare the written submission to Immigration Service Delivery requesting the temporary Stamp 1 permission letter that must exist before any permit application.
Entry 03 · registered
We assemble the loss of status narrative, the genuine new job offer, the contract, identity and immigration history, and the employer's CRO and Revenue records.
Entry 04 · registered
We file the Reactivation application with DETE through the Employment Permits Online System, attach the ISD letter, and manage any further document requests.
Entry 05 · registered
We monitor the DETE processing queue and respond to queries so the worker knows when they may lawfully start.
Entry 06 · registered
On grant, we guide the worker through IRP registration so residence and permission dates align from day one.
Balance · application fee, all entries included
€0
The €70 Book Consultation cost is separate.
0to0
weeks to a decision
Lodged with the fee
EUR 0
EUR 0
full tank, official charges onlyNo Labour Market Needs Test applies to a Reactivation Employment Permit, so there are no advertising costs.
EUR 1,000
EUR 300
Secure ISD permission letter
2wk
Gather evidence of loss of status
2wk
Prepare and lodge via EPOS
1wk
DETE processing to decision
10wk
IRP registration
3wk
Assess eligibility
Secure the ISD letter
Build the evidence file
Lodge on EPOS
Track to decision
Register the IRP
It is for a person who entered Ireland lawfully on an employment permit and then fell out of the system through circumstances beyond their control, such as employer exploitation or insolvency. Someone who never held a permit, or who left the system by choice, does not qualify.
Yes. DETE will not consider the Reactivation application until Immigration Service Delivery has issued a temporary Stamp 1 permission letter. Securing that letter is the true first step, not the EPOS form.
No. There is no advertising or labour market test for this permit type. In its place, strong documentary evidence of how permission was lost carries the case.
No, it supports it. This permit exists partly to help workers let down by a previous employer, so WRC complaints, stopped payslips or a redundancy letter strengthen the file rather than weaken it.
The DETE permit fee is EUR 1,000 for a permit of up to 24 months, or EUR 500 for a permit of up to 6 months. IRP registration is EUR 300 per person per year, paid separately.
Reactivation permit, official page
Confirm the person qualifies: they held a permit before and fell out of the system through no fault of their own.
enterprise.gov.ie
Immigration Service Delivery
The person must first write to ISD for a temporary immigration permission letter before any permit application.
irishimmigration.ie
EPOS, apply online
Once the temporary permission letter arrives, file the Reactivation application here with it attached.
epos.enterprise.gov.ie
Current processing dates
Track how far the Department has reached so the worker knows when they can lawfully start work.
enterprise.gov.ie
Workplace Relations Commission
If the person fell out of status because an employer mistreated them, the WRC handles complaints and unpaid wages.
citizensinformation.ie
Citizens Information on permits
Plain English overview of the reactivation route and the worker's rights along the way.
citizensinformation.ie
The DETE permit fee is EUR 1,000 for a permit of up to 24 months, or EUR 500 for a permit of up to 6 months. IRP registration is EUR 300 per person per year, paid separately.
Ref VW-BOOK, typed for the wall
Figures on this page are indicative and depend on your circumstances and current DETE and ISD rules.
