Ireland is set to launch a new Employment Permits Online (EPO) system on April 28, 2025. This modern digital platform will replace the existing Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), which will be taken offline starting April 17, 2025, for a transition period of five business days. During this downtime, no applications can be submitted, and any draft applications that are not submitted by the shutdown date will not be transferred to the new system.

Key Features of the New Portal

The new Employment Permits Online system introduces several enhancements aimed at improving user experience and application management:

1. Personalized Portal Accounts: Each user—employers, employees, and agents—will have dedicated accounts. This allows for better tracking of applications and status updates throughout the process.
2. Improved Application Workflow: The portal features a step-by-step guided interface designed to minimize errors during application submissions. It automates many processes to expedite decision-making34.
3. Enhanced Security Measures: The registration process will require multi-factor authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can access their accounts.
4. Joint Applications: The system supports collaborative applications where both employers and prospective employees can complete their respective sections online. This feature also allows agents to act on behalf of either party.
5. Real-Time Status Tracking: Users can view current and historical permit applications along with their statuses (e.g., draft, processing, issued) directly within their portal accounts.
6. Removal of Trusted Partner Initiative: With the new system, all employers must upload relevant Revenue documentation and CRO numbers during account setup, eliminating the need for the previous Trusted Partner scheme.

Registration Process

To use the new portal, all users must create an account that involves:

• Registering with an email address and creating a secure password.
• Verifying their account through two-factor authentication.
• For employers specifically, uploading necessary documents such as Revenue details and CRO numbers for validation by the Employment Permits Unit