Case study: Spousal work permit

Alice came to Ireland from the Philippines with her husband who is employed on a Green Card permit. She has been looking for work and found a position with a family looking after children. The family looked into getting a work permit for Alice but have told her that it is too expensive for them to organise the work permit for her. Alice was very disappointed and went to her local Citizens Information Centre to get more information about work permits and her options.

In fact, because Alice’s husband is already working in Ireland on a Green Card permit, Alice is eligible for a spousal work permit. There is no fee for this permit and the employer does not have to advertise the role to see if an Irish or EEA citizen is available. Alice told her potential employers this and they have applied for and received a work permit for Alice. Now that Alice is working, Irish employment protection legislation applies to her in the same way that it applies to all other workers in Ireland.