Note 01Route summary
The Contract for Services Employment Permit lets an overseas company send its non-EEA employees to Ireland to fulfil a services contract already awarded by an Irish entity.
Ref CSP-13, typed for the wall
Employment permits & sponsorshipFor employers
Contract for Services Permit
Bring a foreign contractor's non-EEA staff to Ireland to deliver an awarded Irish contract.
0 parties
Contractor + client
EUR 0
Salary floor
0 days
Advertising
0 to 13 wks
DETE decision
Folder 01. Route file, Contract for Services Permit
Contract linked
The permit is tied to a specific Irish contract already awarded to the foreign contractor, and its duration is capped by the length of that contract, generally up to 24 months.
The contractor is the applicant
Unusually, the foreign company sending the workers applies, not the Irish client.
What we'll do for you
Bring a foreign contractor's non-EEA staff to Ireland to deliver an awarded Irish contract.
Ledger · Contract for Services Permit
Entry 01 · registered
Assess the contract
We confirm the awarded services contract with the Irish entity, identify both parties and verify the salary clears the applicable threshold.
Allow2 to 3 days
Entry 02 · registered
Run the labour market test
We draft and place the 28-day advertising required for this permit and keep dated evidence of every posting.
Allow4 weeks
Entry 03 · registered
Document and submit
We evidence the contract, the foreign employer and each transferred worker's prior service, then lodge the EPOS application with DETE and manage every query.
Allow8 to 13 weeks
Entry 04 · registered
Grant and mobilise
On grant we arrange the entry visa where required, arrival and IRP registration for each posted worker.
Allow2 to 4 weeks
Entry 05 · registered
Track the contract
We monitor the contract end date, since permit validity cannot exceed the remaining contract length, and manage any extensions.
AllowLife of contract
Balance · application fee, all entries included
€0
The €70 Book Consultation cost is separate.
0to0
weeks to a decision
Plaque 01 The wait
The permit is tied to the awarded contract, so its duration is capped by the remaining length of that contract, generally up to 24 months. Length is confirmed case by case.
Lodged with the fee
EUR 0
Queries handled for youTracked weeklyFigures are indicative
60k53k45k38k30k
General Employment PermitEUR 36,605
Critical Skills, with degreeEUR 40,904
Contract for ServicesEUR 49,523
stubs, in the vitrine
EUR 0
full tank, official charges onlyEF
DETE permit fee, up to 24 monthsEUR 1,000Labour market needs test advertisingEUR 250Long-stay entry visa, if requiredEUR 100IRP registrationEUR 300
Permit validity cannot exceed the remaining length of the awarded contract.
receipts, in the vitrine
DETE permit
EUR 1,000
Labour
EUR 250
Long-stay
EUR 100
EUR 36,605
04 GeneralEUR 40,904
05 CriticalEUR 49,523
06 ContractContractlinked
The 28-day test still applies
08 watchShort jobs, different route
09 tipThe Contract for Services against other mobility routes.
| Criteria | Contract for Services | Intra-Company Transfer | General Employment Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awarded Irish contract required | Yes | No | No |
| Labour market needs test | Required | No | Required |
| Employer of the worker | Overseas contractor | Overseas group entity | Irish employer |
| Minimum salary | EUR 49,523 | EUR 49,523 | EUR 36,605 |
| Permit duration | Tied to the contract | Up to 5 years | Up to 24 months |
| Prior service with employer | Required | At least 6 months | Not required |
Confirm awarded contract and relationship
2wk
Labour market needs test
4wk
DETE processing to decision
10wk
Entry visa and IRP registration
3wk
0 wk
0 wk
0 wk
0 wk
0weeks
Assess the contract
Run the labour market test
Document and submit
Grant and mobilise
Track the contract
Genuine, awarded contract for services with an Irish entityForeign contractor as the applying and employing companySalary meeting the applicable threshold, from EUR 49,523Evidence of each worker's prior employment with the contractorCompleted 28-day labour market needs test with dated evidenceCompany and tax details for both the contractor and the Irish clientEmployer account created and verified in the Employment Permits Online System
Q01Who is the employer and who applies?
Unusually, the overseas contractor is both the applicant and the employer, and the workers stay employed abroad. The Irish entity is the contracting client hosting the work, and its details also go on the file.
Q02Is the 28-day labour market test required?
Yes. Unlike the intra-company transfer, this permit normally requires the 28-day labour market needs test. Build that month, plus the current DETE processing time of 8 to 13 weeks, into the project plan before signing delivery deadlines.
Q03How long can the staff stay?
The permit is tied to the awarded contract, so its duration is capped by the remaining length of that contract, generally up to 24 months. Length is confirmed case by case.
Q04Does the 50:50 workforce rule apply?
The wider workforce ratio rule can apply to the employer, and we confirm how it affects your specific application before lodging.
Q05Is there a faster route for short jobs?
For assignments under 90 days the Atypical Working Scheme run by ISD is often faster and cheaper than a full Contract for Services permit. We check it before defaulting to the permit.
OfficialEUR 1,000 fee
Contract for Services, official page
Check when a foreign contractor's staff need this permit to deliver a contract to an Irish client.
enterprise.gov.ie
Do first
EPOS, apply online
The overseas contractor files here, naming the Irish contract and each worker being sent.
epos.enterprise.gov.ie
ToolUpdated weekly
Current processing dates
Check the live queue before you commit delivery dates to the Irish client.
enterprise.gov.ie
GuideUnder 90 days
Atypical Working Scheme
See if a short assignment fits this faster immigration route instead of a full permit.
irishimmigration.ie
Guide
Employment permits hub, DETE
Compare this permit against the Intra-Company Transfer if the entities are in the same group.
enterprise.gov.ie
OfficialEUR 300 per year
Register the IRP after arrival
Each posted worker registers their immigration permission once they arrive in Ireland.
irishimmigration.ie
Note 02Booking note
For assignments under 90 days the Atypical Working Scheme run by ISD is often faster and cheaper than a full Contract for Services permit. We check it before defaulting to the permit.
Ref VW-BOOK, typed for the wall
Figures on this page are indicative and depend on your circumstances and current DETE and ISD rules.