Image Copyright: Bronwyn Whyte
Our journey started around October 2018 after speaking to a friend who's husband is a HGV driver in Ireland.
At the time we had our own shuttle business, things weren't bad but the reality was that much of the time we did not feel safe and were concerned about the future of our kids. Hubby had a code 14 licence and soon we knew that is the way forward..
We got a number for a haulage company in Cork, hubby contacted them and he was asked to send his CV. Soon after he had a telephone interview. He was offered a HGV driver position.
The company made use of a consultant to apply for the permit. Hubby had to sign the employer work contract and sent a passport photo.
At the time the vacancy needed to be advertised for three weeks it had since changed to 28 days. The application went into the queue and after 15 weeks it was issued!
Processing times does vary quite a bit at the moment according to the DBEI website the waiting time is 4 weeks. We often checked the website using the EP- reference number. Unfortunately that was also the time when things suddenly changed regarding the waiting period for families joining on a General Work Permit.
Around Feb 2019 the 12 month waiting rule for dependant family members, was implemented. We already had flight tickets booked, accomodation ready in Ireland, got rid of most of our belongings and took the kids out of school. It felt like everything fell apart.
We were in shock to put it mildly. It was about a week before we were meant to fly.
We decided he should go ahead with the move and we stayed behind. It was a very hard day.
On the second day in Ireland hubby registered at his local Immigration Officer. I had made an appointment for hubby's PPS while still in SA, that saved him around 3 weeks of time, they were fully booked far ahead. He got his PPS number within 5 days. He had no trouble opening an AIB bank account. He registered with a GP.
After he received his GNIB/IRP card he was able to start the process to exchange his drivers licence.
He first had to book an appointment with his GP to do the medical and eye test which is a requirement to exchange your code 14 licence. That was during the time when there was lots of uncertainty because of Brexit.
Normal waiting period was around 3 weeks but because of Brexit he waited 8 weeks for his driving licence. He did not need a Letter of Entitlement but it is needed if your PDP or licence has expired.It is a good idea nowdays though to get the Letter of Entitlement regardless.
The bad thing is during all this time you are not allowed to work.
It's really important to have enough savings to get you through for at least 3 months even more, because you just never know what delays might arise. He then booked 5 CPC courses in advance. He did 2 courses per week and then the last one. It all depends on available dates. After he was declared competent he was issued with a CPC card and then he applied for a Tacho card.
You can check your profile on the rsa.ie website.If your SA code 14 licence was issued after 2009 you will need to do two theory tests and a Practical test (walkaround test) before you can start with CPC courses.
Unfortunately hubby was let go from the company and had to find new employment. He found a new job really quickly but the process to apply to stay in the country to find a new job and to apply for a new work permit was daunting. I will explain the process if anyone ever gets into this situation.
First of all you need to send your original and copy of your work permit back together with the letter from your employer stating the reason why you were let go to DBEI within 28 days after you left your job with registered mail. During the same time you have to apply via INIS for permission to be able to stay in the country while looking for new employment. You need to send the letter with proof of medical insurance with registered mail. After around 4 weeks (pre-Covid) you will get a reply.
Hubby was giving 4 months to stay on stamp 1 conditions to find employment and to apply for a new permit. He had to take the permission letter to his nearest Garda Immigration Officer to register and pay the €300. At the time the permit processing times were around 16 weeks. He waited 3 weeks for his new IRP/GNIB card before he could apply for his new permit as a copy of the new card was needed to be included in the application.
Around 4 weeks before his stamp was due to expire he wrote a letter to INIS to explain that his time was running out and his permit was not processed yet. He did send proof of his pending application with. During all this time you are not allowed to work without a valid work permit.The other alternative was to fly back to SA to wait for the permit.
He was given another 4 months and had to register again and paid the €300 euro. Because he was still on a Stamp 1 it counted for Family Reunification so we were still able to join him after the 12 months, we waited for his new permit to be issued before we made plans to join him. It came through in month 13 of hubby being in Ireland.
LOL and guess what.. we were hit by Covid!
In July we took repatriation flights to reunite with hubby! After 17 months apart I can honestly say it was a glorious day full of emotions. Even now I tear up when I think of it. It wasn't an easy journey for us but from the moment I set foot in Dublin airport I just knew it was all so worth it. We are VERY happy here, the kids love their new school. Hubby started work straight away after his permit was approved. He is really happy. We found a lovely house the day before we arrived! We booked a place in a creche for our toddler. We applied for PPS via post(Covid) and applied for Family Reunification. We count our blessings every day! Will I do it all over again? YES!!
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
Professional drivers (Trucking, Bus drivers, public taxi etc)
General Work permits how to get your family processed when they arrive after 12 months
If you have a story to share please email us a blog at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Types of work permits and articles:
- Work Permit skills lists: Am I eligible and SOC codes
- Critical skills work permits how they work: The Basics of applying
- Critical skills going deeper into the information and getting a job offer and work permit
- General Work permits how they work: The Basics of applying
- General Work permits going deeper into the information and getting a job offer and work permit
- General Work permits how to get your family processed when they arrive after 12 months
- Spouses and Children of Work permits and their Stamps explained
