On the 26th January 2021 new rules on the right to work provisions for asylum seekers came into force. These new rules have reduced the period of time before being eligible to apply for a Labour Market Access Permission (LMAP) from nine months to six months. Applicants will still be required to show that they have not yet received a first instance decision on their case.
The duration of the LMAP has also increased from six months to 12 months. It continues to be free to apply for a LMAP and you can find It is free to apply for an LMAP. Applications can be made to the Labour Market Access Unit by following the instructions here.
First time applicants (LMA3) and renewals (LMA4) should email their completed forms and associated documents in PDF format to Lmauapplications@justice.ie
Nasc have compiled a short leaflet outlining the basic information on eligibility and how to apply for access to labour market, which you can view here.
History of the right to work
On 27th June 2018 Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and Minister of State David Stanton announced the new right to work provisions for asylum seekers under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive, which came into force on 6th July 2018.
Under the 2018 right to work provisions, asylum seekers (applicants in the international protection process) who have been waiting for a FIRST INSTANCE DECISION on their international protection application for 9 months or longer will be eligible to apply for a Labour Market Access Permission (LMAP).
This permission – LMAP – will lasted for 6 months and can be renewed until the person receives a final decision on their application.
This permission allows eligible asylum seekers to work full time, part time or self employed in any sector or industry barring a few exceptions in publicly funded sectors such as the civil service, An Garda Síochána, and the Defense Forces. It also entitles eligible asylum seekers to access vocational training courses through your local Intreo office and ETB.