Long Visa Wait Times Causing Foreign Worker Exodus in Ireland
Visa Delays Threaten Ireland’s Construction Sector and Housing Targets
Ireland is facing a critical challenge in its construction sector as non-EU workers experience visa processing delays of up to four months, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). These extended waiting periods are deterring potential foreign workers from choosing Ireland as a work destination, CIF Director Sean Downey warned.
Visa Delays Impacting Housing Projects
Downey emphasized that Ireland cannot afford to lose construction workers, especially given its ambitious housing and retrofitting targets for 2030. He called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to act swiftly to reduce the visa backlog and ensure smoother processing.
In addition, Downey criticized the lack of coordination between government departments, stating that there appears to be little synchronisation between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, particularly regarding work permit guidance.
He stressed that delays in visa approvals are directly affecting the pace of housing unit construction, a key national priority.
Increase in Work Permits Amid Persistent Delays
Despite the challenges, data shows that Ireland issued 577 construction work permits between January and March 2025. This marks a significant increase from the same period in 2024, when only 262 permits were granted to non-EU nationals. Over the course of 2024, a total of 1,523 permits were issued for the construction sector.
Worker Shortages Still Loom Large
According to the Labour Force Survey, 171,000 foreign nationals are currently employed in Ireland’s construction sector. However, experts estimate that tens of thousands more are needed to meet the government’s housing development and retrofitting goals by 2030.
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