In short: DETE publishes current employment permit processing dates and updates them regularly. We don't quote a fixed number here because it changes — check the live dates, and read on for the realistic end-to-end timeline. CA Recruitment tracks the current dates against your application and keeps your hire on schedule.
Where to see current DETE processing times
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) publishes its current employment permit processing dates and updates them regularly — usually weekly. The dates tell you which applications DETE is processing right now, broken down by permit type and by applicant type (Trusted Partner applications are processed ahead of standard ones).
Always check the live figures here: DETE current application processing dates. We don't quote a fixed number of weeks on this page because it changes — quoting a stale figure would only mislead you.
Processing time is only part of the timeline
The DETE decision is one stage of the hire, not the whole thing. A realistic end-to-end timeline — from your first call to the worker starting on site — is about 6 to 8 months, covering:
- the 28-day Labour Market Needs Test (where required);
- DETE processing of the permit (the published dates above);
- the worker's D-visa; and
- travel, IRP registration and onboarding.
Trusted Partner applications are faster
Employers registered as a DETE Trusted Partner have their applications processed ahead of standard applications and don't resubmit company documents each time. CA Recruitment manages applications to make use of the faster lane where you qualify.
How CA Recruitment keeps your hire on track
We track DETE's live processing dates against your application, run candidate sourcing in parallel with the Labour Market Needs Test so the waiting window isn't dead time, and give you a realistic, honest timeline at the start — not an unrealistic promise. If processing dates move, we tell you.
Ready to talk?
WhatsApp Monette for a free eligibility check — we'll confirm what qualifies and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
DETE publishes current processing dates that change regularly, so always check the live figure at enterprise.gov.ie rather than relying on a fixed number. The full hire — Labour Market Needs Test, DETE processing, D-visa, travel and onboarding — typically runs about 6 to 8 months end to end.
On the DETE website, under 'current application processing dates'. The dates are shown by permit type and by applicant type, and DETE updates them regularly. CA Recruitment tracks these against your specific application.
Yes. Trusted Partner applications are processed ahead of standard applications. CA Recruitment manages your application to use the faster lane where your business qualifies.
We can't change DETE's processing queue, but we keep the overall hire as fast as possible — preparing a complete, correct application first time, running the Labour Market Needs Test and candidate sourcing in parallel, and coordinating the visa and travel without delays.