Notarising Employment Contracts for International Hires

When hiring internationally or taking up employment abroad, employment contracts and related documents may need to be notarised. Immigration authorities, work permit agencies, and foreign governments frequently require notarised employment documentation as part of visa and work permit applications.

Overview

Cross-border employment is increasingly common for Irish companies with international operations and for Irish professionals working abroad. Immigration and employment regulations in most countries require authenticated documentation proving terms of employment.

When Required

• Work permit applications requiring notarised contracts
• Employment-based visa applications
• Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa applications
• EU Posted Workers Directive situations
• Foreign labour authority requirements
• Tax residency applications

Documents That May Need Notarisation

• Employment contracts and offer letters
• Assignment letters for secondments
• Salary certificates and employment letters
• Company registration documents
• Board resolutions authorising employment
• Reference letters from previous employers

Notarisation Process

Hugh Phelan, Notary Public in Cork, regularly notarises employment documents. The signatory must attend with passport ID. Contracts can be signed before the notary, or copies of already-signed contracts can be certified. Office: East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork. Phone: (021) 489 7134.

Key Considerations

• Authorised signatory: Employer's representative must have authority — board resolution or letter of authority may be needed
• Translation: Some countries require translation into the local language
• Apostille: Needed for Hague Convention countries (2–5 working days)
• Embassy legalisation: Required for non-Hague countries
• Multiple originals: Some countries require multiple notarised originals

Apostille

Processing takes 2–5 working days through the Department of Foreign Affairs. See our apostille services page.

Work Permit Applications in Detail

Many countries require a notarised employment contract or offer letter as a core component of the work permit application. The contract must typically show the terms of employment, including the role, salary, duration, and working conditions. Some countries — particularly in the Middle East and Asia — require the contract to be in a specific format or to include specific clauses mandated by their labour law.

For Irish companies hiring foreign workers in Ireland, the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended) governs work permits. While the Irish work permit process itself does not require notarised documents, the employee may need notarised copies of the Irish employment contract for their home country's records or for visa applications.

International Secondments and Assignments

When an Irish company seconds an employee to a foreign office or subsidiary, the assignment letter — setting out the terms of the international posting — may need to be notarised. This is common when the employee needs a work visa in the host country. The assignment letter typically covers the duration, the host entity, compensation adjustments, and the terms of repatriation. The host country's immigration authority may require this letter to be notarised and apostilled.

Intra-company transfer (ICT) visas in the EU, UK, and other jurisdictions specifically require documentation from both the sending and receiving entities, and notarised copies may be required.

Tax Considerations

International employment raises tax residency questions. Some tax authorities require notarised employment documentation as evidence of where employment is exercised, which affects tax liability. If you are working in one country for an employer in another, notarised copies of your employment contract can help establish the facts for tax purposes in either jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions