On Monday, 28th April 2025, the Department of Enterprise will launch a new employment permit system ‘Employment Permits Online’, replacing the current Employment Permit Online System (EPOS) which has been in place since 2016. Benefits of the new system will include enhanced security features, the ability to track application statuses, and the ability to validate data and electronically sign applications. 

This transition to an online portal is in line with Ireland’s continued digital transformation in the immigration space, along with the expansion of the online renewal process for Irish Residence Permit cards, the new  Digital Contact Centre  (an immigration self-service portal), and the new online process for in-country applications for permission under the De Facto Partnership scheme.

The new system will introduce 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 will also provide individual users with more ownership over the management of their accounts. The new employment permits system will make 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.  

To assist users in their understanding of how Employment Permits Online will operate, the Employment Permits Unit have launched a number of support tools which can be accessed below.  

For information on how to create an Employee Account on the new system, see here 

For information on how to create an Employer Account on the new system, see here 

The official Employment Permits Online User Guide can be accessed here