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Approved Seasonal Employer

Approved Seasonal Employer

An employer pre-registered annually with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to hire workers under the Seasonal Employment Permit scheme.

You cannot simply apply for a Seasonal Employment Permit the way you would a General Employment Permit. The employer must first apply each year to become an approved seasonal employer, demonstrating compliance with the scheme's conditions — including arrangements for worker accommodation and health insurance. Registration is annual, so build it into your pre-season planning calendar rather than discovering the requirement in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a seasonal worker move between approved employers?

Yes. Seasonal permit holders can transfer to another Approved Seasonal Employer through a simplified notification procedure rather than a full new application. For employers this means seasonal staff have mobility within the scheme — conditions and treatment, not paperwork, are what keep them with you.

Does Approved Seasonal Employer status expire?

Yes — registration is annual. An employer approved for one season must reapply for the next. Diarise the application well before your season starts, because you cannot apply for Seasonal Employment Permits until the registration is in place.

How do I become an Approved Seasonal Employer?

You apply to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to be registered as an approved seasonal employer, demonstrating you meet the scheme's conditions, including accommodation and insurance arrangements for workers. Registration must be renewed annually, so treat it as a recurring pre-season task, not a one-off.