IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? Ireland is accepting registration for its Trusted Partner Initiative, which provides fast-track employment permit application service for approved companies.

What does the change mean? Companies may now apply for TPI status. If approved, they will benefit from a streamlined application process for employment permits, reduced document submission requirements and faster turnaround on applications.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate. 
  • Visas/permits affected: All employment permit types except Contract for Services Employment Permits.
  • Who is affected: Companies that regularly apply for employment permits, as well as start-up companies and companies expanding their expatriate workforce.
  • Impact on processing times: The program will improve the application process for employers as well as the government processing times on employment permit applications.
  • Business impact: The initiative will improve business conditions for registered companies by greatly reducing paperwork and providing faster decisions on employment permits.
  • Next steps: Contact your BAL representative for details on applying for TPI status.

Background: Companies approved for the TPI will be issued a registration number and have access to their own package of employment permit application forms. Thereafter, an employer will only be required to provide its registration number in lieu of all employer details.

The main benefits of the program include reduced paperwork for all permits covered under the program, elimination of redundant submissions of information on applications, shorter application forms, faster processing of applications, and the absence of an application fee to register for TPI.

Companies who wish to obtain TPI status must fill out the registration form and sign a written attestation, including declarations that they will notify the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of any changes and that all the information contained in the permit application regarding the conditions of the employee’s work is true. Companies must also provide documentation of registration with the Office of the Revenue Commission and, where applicable, the Companies Registration Office or Registry of Friendly Societies. Decisions on TPI registration take two business days.

TPI status is valid for two years and may be renewed. Renewal applications must be submitted within eight weeks prior to the expiry of TPI status. A company that fails to submit a renewal application before he expiry will automatically lose its TPI status.

BAL Analysis: The initiative is a welcome service that should speed the employment permit process, especially for companies with a large volume of applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.

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