Ireland has announced the application arrangements for its 2027 Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) Scheme, offering up to 300 temporary work permits for eligible non-EEA foreign workers in the country’s horticulture sector.
The scheme will allow selected international workers to take up seasonal employment in Ireland for three to seven months between April and November 2027, primarily in fruit and vegetable growing and harvesting.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment published its latest employer application guidance on 4 November 2026, while Irish business organisation Ibec released further information on 6 November. Immigration law firm Fragomen also reported the development on 12 November.
The programme offers another opportunity for overseas workers seeking legal employment in Ireland. However, it is important to understand that this is a limited seasonal scheme, rather than an open work visa programme available to everyone.
Only six employers can receive approval under the 2027 scheme, and those employers must satisfy specific recruitment, salary, accommodation and worker protection requirements before sponsoring foreign nationals.
Ireland Work Permit 2027
The Seasonal Employment Permit is a specialised employment permission designed to address recurring labour shortages in Ireland’s agricultural and horticultural industries.
Unlike standard employment permits, which generally support longer employment arrangements, the SEP is intended for businesses requiring additional workers during predictable seasonal periods.
The permit was introduced under the Employment Permits Act 2024 and became operational through regulations in February 2025.
Ireland conducted its first pilot scheme in 2025. Following an official evaluation, the government decided to organise a second controlled phase for the 2027 growing season.
The latest arrangements confirm the following:
| Scheme Details | Requirements for 2027 |
| Permit name | Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Eligible workers | Non-EEA nationals meeting recruitment conditions |
| Employment sector | Horticulture |
| Maximum permits | 300 nationwide |
| Approved employers | Maximum six |
| Employment duration | Three to seven months |
| Seasonal period | April–November 2027 |
| Minimum annual remuneration | €32,691, pro rata |
| Employer approval deadline | 12 December 2026 |
| Permit applications open | 1 January 2027 |
| Permit application fee | Waived for the 2027 scheme |
| Return requirement | At least five months outside Ireland before returning under another SEP |
The 300 permits represent the maximum number that may be issued, not a guarantee that all 300 places will be filled.
Eligible Foreign Workers
The programme targets eligible nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area who are recruited for approved seasonal horticultural employment.
Applicants must have a genuine employment opportunity with an employer holding Approved Seasonal Employer (ASE) status.
Workers will be expected to satisfy the job requirements, immigration conditions and applicable visa procedures.
The employer must also recruit through an acceptable recruitment supply chain and comply with the programme’s rules concerning established partner countries.
One important limitation is that the 2027 official guidance refers to recruitment from established partner countries but does not publicly identify a complete list of eligible nationalities.
Consequently, nationals of countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal or other non-EEA states should not assume that they automatically qualify for this specific programme.
Eligibility must be confirmed through the approved employer and the relevant Irish authorities.
There is also no general application process allowing any foreign national to obtain one of these permits without an approved employer.
Available Seasonal Jobs
The 2027 scheme is restricted to the horticulture sector, with particular attention to businesses involved in growing soft fruit and vegetables.
The government’s employer application form identifies soft fruit growing and vegetable growing as relevant business activities.
Examples of seasonal duties that may arise within such businesses include:
- Picking and harvesting strawberries, raspberries and other soft fruits.
- Harvesting vegetables and preparing agricultural produce.
- Sorting, handling and packing harvested crops where these duties form part of an approved horticultural position.
- Carrying out other seasonal crop-related duties specified in the employment contract.
These are examples of possible horticultural work, not a separate official list of automatically eligible occupations. Each proposed position must satisfy the applicable permit requirements.
The current programme should not be confused with a general agricultural visa covering every type of farm employment.
Jobs in construction, restaurants, hotels, factories, delivery services or unrelated industries are not included in the announced 2027 SEP pilot.
Minimum Salary 2027
One of the most important conditions concerns the minimum remuneration offered to overseas workers.
According to the official 2027 guidance, the minimum annual remuneration required for a Seasonal Employment Permit is:
€32,691 per year, calculated pro rata for the actual employment period.
This means the requirement is based on an annualised remuneration threshold, even when the employment contract covers fewer than 12 months.
A worker employed for only three, five or seven months is not automatically entitled to receive the entire €32,691 annual amount.
The salary and remuneration package must instead satisfy the applicable threshold for the actual contract duration.
The guidance also allows employers to include eligible costs incurred for accommodation and health insurance when assessing the remuneration requirement, subject to Ireland’s National Minimum Wage legislation.
This distinction is important because the €32,691 threshold should not be advertised as a guaranteed cash salary for every seasonal worker.
Employers must comply with minimum wage protections independently of how any permitted accommodation or insurance benefits are treated.
The employment contract should clearly explain gross wages, working hours, payment frequency, accommodation arrangements and any permitted deductions.
Accommodation And Insurance
Ireland’s seasonal employment scheme includes specific requirements intended to protect foreign workers.
Approved employers must arrange appropriate accommodation and health insurance for the people they recruit.
The official employer application form requires businesses to explain their proposed accommodation arrangements, including relevant Residential Tenancies Board registration.
Employers must also declare that appropriate health insurance will be provided throughout the employment period.
Importantly, the form specifies that the full health insurance cost must be borne by the employer, with no contribution required from the employee.
Employers must also provide information about transport or expense arrangements, training and skills development.
Accommodation arrangements must satisfy applicable legal standards, and any costs included in remuneration calculations must comply with employment and minimum wage legislation.
These obligations are designed to reduce the risks associated with workers travelling overseas for short-term employment.
Employer Approval Rules
Not every agricultural business in Ireland can recruit workers under this scheme. Before applying for individual Seasonal Employment Permits, an employer must obtain Approved Seasonal Employer status from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
For the 2027 programme, the government will approve no more than six employers.
Businesses seeking approval must meet several conditions.
1. Seasonal employment: The employer must demonstrate that the proposed work is genuinely seasonal and recurrent.
2. Minimum recruitment: An approved employer must commit to employing at least two seasonal permit holders during the approval period.
3. Workforce ratio: At least 50% of the organisation’s workforce must consist of Irish, EEA, UK or Swiss nationals, in accordance with the 50:50 rule.
4. Labour market testing: Employers must conduct a Labour Market Needs Test before submitting the relevant employment permit applications.
5. Worker accommodation: Employers must provide suitable accommodation arrangements and supporting information.
6. Health insurance: Appropriate health insurance must be provided for seasonal workers.
7. Recruitment transparency: Businesses must disclose details of their recruitment supply chain, including relevant recruitment agencies.
8. Salary compliance: Employment arrangements must meet the minimum remuneration threshold and other applicable Irish employment law requirements.
The official application form also requires business registration information, workforce composition details, financial information, employment locations and details of proposed seasonal workers.
ASE approval is valid for one year only and does not automatically guarantee the approval of individual work permits.
Important Application Dates
Two dates are particularly important for the 2027 programme.
| Date | Application Stage | Who Is Affected |
| 4 November 2026 | Official employer application guidance published | Horticultural employers |
| 12 December 2026 | Deadline for ASE applications | Employers seeking approval |
| 1 January 2027 | SEP applications open | Successfully approved employers |
| April–November 2027 | Seasonal employment window | Approved overseas workers |
| After employment | Required departure from Ireland | Seasonal permit holders |
Employers must submit their completed ASE applications by 12 December 2026 to: empu@enterprise.gov.ie
This email address is for the official employer approval process. It is not a general job application address for foreign workers.
From 1 January 2027, successfully approved employers will be invited to submit applications for individual Seasonal Employment Permits.
The announcement does not mean that individual foreign workers can apply for permits independently on that date without an eligible employer.
Labour Market Test
Employers seeking to recruit foreign nationals must conduct a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT).
This process helps demonstrate that the vacancy has been appropriately advertised to the domestic and European labour market before recruitment through the employment permit system.
Under Ireland’s general employment permit procedures, the test ordinarily involves advertising the vacancy through the prescribed JobsIreland/EURES channels and another qualifying online platform for at least 28 days.
The advertisement must comply with the applicable requirements, including employment conditions and remuneration.
The Department has specifically warned that an incorrectly completed Labour Market Needs Test may result in refusal, requiring the recruitment procedure to begin again.
Employers should therefore follow the current official LMNT instructions rather than relying on outdated advertisements or incomplete recruitment records.
How Workers Apply
Foreign workers interested in the Ireland Seasonal Employment Permit 2027 should understand that the application process is primarily employer-led.
The following steps explain how the process is expected to operate.
Step 1: Find an employer
The worker must secure a genuine seasonal job opportunity with a business approved to participate in the 2027 scheme.
Step 2: Confirm eligibility
The employer should verify that the worker’s nationality, proposed occupation and recruitment arrangements meet the relevant requirements.
Step 3: Employment contract
The worker and employer must establish the proposed employment terms, including the job description, salary, working hours, location and contract duration.
Step 4: Permit application
After receiving ASE status, the approved employer can apply for the relevant Seasonal Employment Permit through the official process from 1 January 2027.
Step 5: Immigration visa
Where the worker’s nationality requires an Irish entry visa, the individual must complete the applicable visa process after securing the necessary employment permission.
Approval of an employment permit does not automatically guarantee visa approval.
Step 6: Arrival and registration
Once the relevant immigration approvals have been obtained, the worker can travel to Ireland and take up the authorised employment.
Foreign nationals staying for more than 90 days are generally required to register their immigration permission with Immigration Service Delivery within the applicable timeframe.
The employee must comply with the conditions of the permission and work only as authorised.
Application Fees
The official 2027 employer guidance confirms that the Seasonal Employment Permit application fee has been waived for this phase of the programme.
This means the normal employment permit application charge will not apply to SEPs issued under the 2027 scheme.
However, the fee waiver should not be confused with a complete exemption from every possible immigration-related expense.
Visa charges, immigration registration fees, travel expenses and other applicable costs may still arise, depending on the worker’s circumstances and the relevant rules.
Applicants should therefore verify the complete cost of travelling and working in Ireland before accepting an offer.
They should also be cautious about recruitment agents demanding substantial payments in exchange for supposedly guaranteed seasonal work permits.
Five-Month Departure Rule
An important feature of Ireland’s seasonal employment programme is its temporary nature.
A permit holder can work for between three and seven months during the approved employment season.
After completing the authorised employment, the worker must leave Ireland and remain outside the State for at least five months to qualify for another Seasonal Employment Permit the following year.
For example, a worker completing seasonal employment in November 2027 cannot simply remain in Ireland indefinitely waiting for another seasonal contract.
The programme is designed around recurring temporary employment rather than uninterrupted residence.
A worker may potentially return for a later season if the relevant requirements are met and another permit is granted.
However, returning is not automatic, and applicants must comply with the rules operating at that time.
Permanent Residence Possibilities
The Seasonal Employment Permit should not be confused with Ireland’s General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Those categories operate under different eligibility, employment and immigration conditions.
The SEP is a time-limited permission for seasonal work, with a requirement to leave Ireland between seasons.
Holding a seasonal permit does not automatically provide permanent residence, long-term immigration permission or Irish citizenship.
Similarly, employment under the programme should not be presented as a guaranteed route to bringing family members to settle permanently in Ireland.
Any family immigration application would require separate consideration under the applicable Irish immigration rules.
Workers whose main objective is long-term settlement should therefore examine the appropriate employment and residence categories before selecting an immigration pathway.
Previous Pilot Results
Ireland’s decision to operate another seasonal employment programme follows the results of its first pilot in 2025.
The Department published an evaluation report on 9 June 2026 examining the scheme’s implementation, recruitment procedures, employer compliance and worker protections.
The first pilot was limited to 200 permits and six employers.
Although 12 employers initially expressed interest, only two completed the employer approval process.
A total of 33 seasonal employment permits were granted, but only 23 workers eventually entered Ireland and participated.
The government identified several problems, including weaknesses in recruitment oversight, visa refusals and shortcomings in accommodation monitoring.
The evaluation concluded that the scheme had not been tested sufficiently to justify immediately moving to a fully established programme.
It recommended a second pilot with stronger controls and earlier recruitment arrangements.
The planned 2027 phase therefore provides an opportunity to assess the system more thoroughly.
| Comparison | 2025 Pilot | 2027 Scheme |
| Maximum permits | 200 | 300 |
| Maximum employers | 6 | 6 |
| Permits actually issued | 33 | Not yet started |
| Workers arriving | 23 | Not yet known |
| Sector | Horticulture | Horticulture |
| Permit duration | 3–7 months | 3–7 months |
| Minimum annual remuneration | €30,000 pro rata | €32,691 pro rata |
The higher 2027 permit ceiling does not mean all approved places will necessarily result in workers arriving.
Individual recruitment, employment permit and immigration requirements will still need to be satisfied.
Why Ireland Needs Workers
Ireland’s horticulture industry depends heavily on seasonal labour during periods of increased agricultural production.
Fruit and vegetable growers often need additional workers for a limited period rather than throughout the year.
Recruitment difficulties can affect harvesting schedules, crop production and business operations.
The Seasonal Employment Permit was developed to provide a regulated way of meeting these temporary workforce needs while maintaining worker protections.
The introduction of an employer approval system, formal labour market testing and requirements concerning pay, accommodation and health insurance are intended to prevent misuse of the scheme.
At the same time, the government is keeping the programme small enough to evaluate its operation before deciding on its longer-term future.
Important Worker Questions
Which country’s nationals can apply?
The programme concerns eligible non-EEA nationals, but the official 2027 guidance requires recruitment from established partner countries. It does not identify a complete list of eligible nationalities. Applicants must obtain confirmation of their eligibility before proceeding.
Do applicants need a job offer?
Yes. This is an employment-based route, and a genuine position with an Approved Seasonal Employer is essential.
Can anyone apply online from 1 January 2027?
No. That date relates to applications for Seasonal Employment Permits by successfully approved employers. It does not establish an unrestricted individual application process.
Is accommodation provided?
Approved employers are required to arrange appropriate accommodation for seasonal workers. The financial treatment of accommodation must comply with the applicable rules.
Is health insurance compulsory?
Yes. The employer must arrange appropriate health insurance and bear its full cost, as specified in the official employer declaration.
Can workers change employers?
The seasonal employment framework contains provisions addressing changes of employer, but any transfer must follow the applicable permission procedures and restrictions. A worker should not assume that the initial permit allows unrestricted employment with another business.
Is the work permit free?
The government has waived the Seasonal Employment Permit application fee for the 2027 scheme. Other applicable immigration or travel expenses are not necessarily waived.
Can workers stay permanently?
The SEP is a temporary work permission. It does not automatically lead to permanent residence, and workers must comply with the required departure rules.
Final Outlook
Ireland’s 2027 Seasonal Employment Permit Scheme provides a limited opportunity for eligible overseas workers to obtain lawful temporary employment in the horticulture sector.
With a maximum of 300 permits, six approved employers, a €32,691 pro-rated annual remuneration threshold and employment lasting up to seven months, the programme establishes a clearly defined framework for seasonal recruitment.
The immediate deadline is 12 December 2026, when prospective employers must submit their ASE applications. Individual employment permit applications are scheduled to open to approved employers on 1 January 2027.
Foreign workers should focus on identifying genuine recruitment opportunities, confirming their nationality and occupation eligibility, and obtaining accurate information about employment and immigration requirements.
Because this remains a controlled pilot scheme, it is important not to confuse the availability of 300 permits with a guaranteed job offer or immigration approval.
Disclaimer: Immigration rules, salary thresholds, fees, application dates and eligibility requirements can change. Applicants and employers should confirm the latest arrangements with the relevant Irish authorities before making employment, travel or financial decisions.