What is the Trusted Partner Initiative?
The Trusted Partner Initiative by Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) is designed to streamline the employment permit process for businesses hiring a significant volume of non-EEA talent on employment permits.
Registered employers can apply to DETE online to become a Trusted Partner. You must provide company information and Revenue returns, as well as a projection for the number of permits your company will apply for.
DETE will then review the application and you will receive a result in approximately 2 weeks. If granted, DETE will issue you with a Trusted Partner number to be used on all permit application forms.
The Benefits of Being a Trusted Partner
Once registered, Trusted Partners can avail of a specialised employment permit application form that requires them to input their Trusted Partner Registration Number instead of repeating full employer details. TPs also do not have to sign the application form as Standard Employers do.
This reduces administrative burden for multiple applications and offers priority processing times for TPs.
The Benefits of the Trusted Partner Initiative
- Faster processing times for employment permit applications than as a Standard Employer
- Status is valid for 2 years & is thereafter renewable
- No fee to apply to become a Trusted Partner
- No requirement for employer to sign permit application form
- Reduced paperwork & shortened permit application forms
Eligibility: Who Can Apply to Become a Trusted Partner?
The Trusted Partner Scheme is designed for companies submitting a high volume of employment permit applications. Applicants must provide comprehensive company info when applying to become a TP.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
- Must be registered as an Employer with the Revenue Commissioners
- Must be actively trading in Ireland (unless exemption applies)
- Must show evidence of up-to-date ROS returns
- Must justify that the company has plans to process a high volume of employment permit applications
How To Register as a Trusted Partner
- Apply online via DETE’s EPOS portal
- Provide necessary company information & documentation (tax clearance, proof of business activity, ROS returns
- Await approval
- Received Trusted Partner number via email
Renewal
Trusted Partner status lasts for 2 years upon grant, and the registration must then be renewed 8 weeks before its expiration via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS).
A reminder will be sent to the employer via email 2 months prior to expiry. If renewal is not completed on time, Trusted Partner status will automatically lapse, and the employer must re-apply if they wish to become a TP once again.
Changes to Employer Details as a Trusted Partner
The Trusted Partner must ensure that they comply with all relevant procedures when submitting permit applications in order to maintain their status.
This includes confirming that the details provided during their Trusted Partner registration remain unchanged.
Any changes to employer information, such as company name or address, contact person, industry type, must be notified to DETE by the Trusted Partner as soon as possible and via a letter on official company letterhead, signed by the designated contact person.
Learn More
Looking for more guidance on Visa or permit processing? Contact our team at Visa work for expert advice on registering for the Trusted Partner Initiative, or any other queries you may have.
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