From 2nd July, asylum seekers are allowed permission to access the labour market, this permission will allow you to access employment and self-employment. It will be valid for 6 months. You can renew the permission if you have not received a final decision on your international protection application within the 6 months. A final decision means when you have completed all appeals procedures, including judicial review proceedings. 

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if:

  1. You are an international protection applicant; and
  2. You have not received a first instance recommendation within 8 months; and
  3. You are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be due to any actions taken by you.

You can apply if you have not received a permission after 8 months. Your permission will become valid after 9 months.

How to apply

You can access the application form here  http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/form-LMA3.pdf/Files/form-LMA3.pdf

Here is the information leaflet that is available on the Departments website

Information booklet – Labour Market Access for International Protection Applicants (PDF 317KB)

If your application is successful

If your application is successful, INIS will issue you a permission letter. Once you begin working, your employer (or you, if self-employed) must complete the declaration form LMA5 below.

You must also get your employer to complete the declaration form LMA6 below. These forms must be returned to the following address:

Reception and Integration Agency
PO Box 11487
Dublin 2

Related documents

Form LMA5 – Labour market access declaration form (PDF 221KB)

Form LMA6 – Employment income declaration form (PDF 326KB)

Temporary self-employment scheme

Since 9 February 2018, international protection applicants have had temporary access to the employment permits system operated by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Applicants could also apply for a self-employment permission from the Department of Justice and Equality.

These measures were temporary, while we awaited confirmation by the European Commission of our opt-in to the EU Reception Conditions Directive, which has now been confirmed. This scheme is closed for new applications from 28 June 2018.

If you have a self-employment permission under the temporary scheme, and you have not received a first instance recommendation on your protection application, INIS will automatically issue you with a letter of permission to access the labour market (covering both employment and self-employment) for a period of six months. You do not need to make a new application.

If you have a self-employment permission, and you have received a first instance recommendation, but not a final decision on your protection application, you can renew your self-employment permission until you receive a final decision.

The Department website states that more information will be available shortly.

If you have questions, please contact us.