Ireland employment permit photos must be 35×45mm with a white background — the same specification as the Irish passport. No glasses. Neutral expression, mouth closed. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) requires a compliant photo as part of the supporting documents submitted with your application.
Ireland Employment Permit Photo Specifications (35×45mm)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45mm (413×531 pixels at 300 dpi) |
| Background | White |
| Head position | Centred, looking directly at camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons |
| Photo age | Recent — within 6 months |
These specs align directly with the Irish passport standard. A photo that meets Irish passport requirements will meet employment permit requirements too — the same spec, applied to a different document.
Get a compliant passport photo online
Who Needs an Irish Employment Permit Photo?
Employment permits are required for most non-EEA nationals taking up employment in Ireland. They're not needed for:
- Irish, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals
- UK nationals (covered by the Common Travel Area)
- Holders of valid Stamp 4 immigration permission
If you're a non-EEA national starting work in Ireland, you'll need either a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit. Both require a passport-standard photo.
The DETE Application Process for Employment Permits
Employment permits are applied for through the DETE's Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), accessible at enterprise.gov.ie/employment-permits. Applications are submitted online, but a physical photo is required as part of a supporting documents package sent after the online stage completes.
Fees
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: €1,000 (new), €1,500 (renewal)
- General Employment Permit: €1,000 (new), €750 (renewal)
- A 50% refund applies if the permit is refused
Fees are paid online through EPOS by credit or debit card at the time of application.
Processing time: Typically 8–12 weeks for new applications. The DETE publishes current processing times on their website — times fluctuate and are worth checking before you apply. Renewals tend to process faster.
Submitting Your Photo to the DETE by Post
After completing the online application and paying, you'll receive a reference number. A physical documents package must be posted to the Employment Permits Section, DETE, within 28 days of that reference being issued. The photo goes in this package.
Practical points:
- Use a paper clip or photo sleeve — do not staple the photo to any document
- Write your EPOS reference number on the back of the photo in pencil, using light pressure so as not to indent the surface
- Include two identical prints if available; only one is required, but a duplicate protects against transit damage
- The DETE does not currently accept digital photo uploads as a substitute for physical prints; a physical print is required
Send the package to: Employment Permits Section, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Earlsfort Centre, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 PW01.
Where to Get a Compliant Irish Employment Permit Photo
Photography studios. Any studio in Ireland that offers passport photos will produce the correct spec. Ask for passport photos — the 35×45mm Irish standard is what they'll produce by default. Cost is typically €8–15 for a set of four to six prints.
Photo booths. Found in post offices, pharmacies, and some supermarkets. An Post locations reliably have booths calibrated to the Irish passport standard. Cost is €5–8 for a strip of photos.
Printing from a digital file. If you're preparing the application from abroad, you can order a digital photo through a service like passportsize-photo.online, download the file, and have it printed locally on photographic paper before mailing.
Common Irish Employment Permit Photo Problems
Wrong background. The Irish standard requires a white background. Light grey, cream, bright colours, or strong shadows behind the head do not comply.
Wrong size. Some European photo booths default to 35×40mm or 40×50mm depending on the country. Confirm 35×45mm before paying.
Photo too old. Six months is the limit. The date on a professional photo sleeve is checked. Don't use prints from a previous document session.
Low print quality. Inkjet-printed photos from home are usually inadequate for biometric documents. The DETE requires photographic-quality prints. Use a certified photo booth or a professional studio.
Damaged in transit. The postal journey to Dublin can crease a loose photo. Slide it between two pieces of card inside the envelope. Write "DO NOT BEND" on the envelope.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Employment Permits
The employment permit follows the same biometric expression standard as the Irish passport:
- Mouth closed — no teeth visible, lips together gently
- Neutral expression — no smiling, no frowning
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned, including clear prescription lenses
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes must be fully visible
- Head coverings — only for religious or medical reasons; face from chin to forehead must remain visible
The no-glasses rule applies across all Irish identity documents. If you wear prescription glasses daily, remove them for the photo.
How Irish Photo Standards Compare
All Irish government photo identity documents share the same specification:
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Permit | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed |
| Irish Passport | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed |
| Driving Licence | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed |
| Visa | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed |
One set of compliant photos works for all four documents. If you're applying for both a visa and an employment permit, the same recent photo prints can be used for both.
Types of Irish Employment Permit: Critical Skills vs General
Both main permit types require the same photo:
Critical Skills Employment Permit. For occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List — typically in tech, engineering, healthcare, science, and finance. Minimum annual salary: generally €38,000 (€64,000 for occupations not on the list). Valid for 2 years initially.
General Employment Permit. For occupations not on the Ineligible Categories list. Minimum annual salary: generally €34,000. Valid for 2 years initially, renewable for 3 years.
Other permit types (Intra-Company Transfer, Contract for Services, Reactivation) also require a passport-standard photo.
Applying for an Irish Employment Permit From Abroad
If you're preparing your employment permit application from outside Ireland, you can get a compliant photo at any local studio that offers 35×45mm passport photos — the Irish standard matches the ICAO international passport photo specification used by most European countries.
Key considerations for overseas applicants:
- Ensure the photo is printed on photographic paper, not standard printer paper
- Confirm the background is white — some countries default to light blue or grey
- Remove glasses before the photo session
- Write your EPOS reference number on the back in pencil once you have it
- Post photos with rigid card backing to prevent transit damage
Quick Checklist for Irish Employment Permit Photos
- Size: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI)
- Background: white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 6 months
- Two identical prints recommended
- EPOS reference number written on back in pencil
- Photos between card backing in envelope marked "DO NOT BEND"
Verify your photo with the passportsize-photo.online checker before printing. For the full Ireland photo requirements, see the Ireland hub.
