Ep 259 - How to Navigate Irish Immigration Law

Immigration and employment law continues to evolve — and for HR professionals in Ireland, staying compliant while attracting global talent has never been more important.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave is joined by Alice Heron, Manager at Fragomen, one of the world’s leading immigration services firms, to break down everything HR leaders need to know about Irish immigration law in 2026.

From updated salary thresholds to graduate hiring opportunities and strengthened compliance obligations, Alice provides clear, practical guidance to help HR professionals confidently manage international recruitment.

Whether you’re hiring from abroad, retaining international graduates, or reviewing your internal compliance processes, this episode offers essential insights for workforce planning in a changing regulatory landscape.

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Guest

Alice Heron – Manager, Fragomen

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Topics include:

• The difference between permission to work and permission to reside
• What HR needs to know about right-to-work checks
• Understanding Critical Skills, General, and Intra-Company Transfer permits
• The new Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) thresholds and what they mean for 2026
• Changes under the Employment Permits Act 2024
• The Eligible and Ineligible Occupations Lists – and why they matter
• Family reunification rules and dependent considerations
• Visa timelines and workforce planning
• Hiring and retaining international graduates in Ireland
• Stamp 1G and Stamp 2 permissions explained
• Common compliance pitfalls HR teams should avoid
• Why immigration should be part of long-term workforce strategy — not an afterthought

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Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Permission to work and permission to reside are separate systems — always verify both.
• The new MAR thresholds (increasing through to 2030) mean salary planning must align with immigration requirements.
• Immigration compliance is a lifecycle process — not a “file it and forget it” task.
• Expiry date tracking for permits and IRP cards is critical to avoid operational disruption.
• Graduate hiring presents a major opportunity, but early permit planning is essential.
• Family considerations (including spouse work rights and dependent rules) significantly impact talent attraction and retention.
• Promotions, salary changes, and role updates must be formally notified to the Department.
• Strong record-keeping is essential in the event of a Workplace Relations Commission audit.
• Employers who can clearly communicate long-term pathways (e.g., Stamp 4 eligibility) gain a competitive advantage in attracting global talent.

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Resources

• Eligibility and requirements for an employent permit
• Critical Skills Occupations List
• Ineligible List of Occupations for employment permits
• Types of Employment Permits

Get in Touch

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If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

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