Irish Work Permits and Visas: Complete 2025 Guide

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If you’re not an EU, EEA, or UK citizen, you’ll need an employment permit to work in Ireland. The Irish immigration system offers several permit types, each designed for different situations and skill levels. This guide explains how the system works, which permit you need, and how to apply successfully.

Understanding work permits is crucial before you even start job hunting in Ireland. Employers need to know you can legally work, and you need to know which jobs are open to you. Let’s break down everything you need to know about Irish work permits and visas.

Important note: Immigration rules change frequently. Always check the Department of Justice website for the latest information. This guide is for information only, not legal advice.

Quick facts about Irish work permits

  • Cost: €1,000 for most permits
  • Processing time: 8-12 weeks typically
  • Valid for: Usually 2 years initially
  • Employer applies: Your employer submits the application, not you
  • Salary minimums: €30,000-€34,000 depending on permit type
  • Path to residence: Yes, after 5 years you can apply for long-term residence
  • Family: Some permits allow you to bring dependents

Types of employment permits

Ireland offers several employment permit categories. The one you need depends on your job, qualifications, and salary.

Critical Skills Employment Permit

This is the most advantageous permit for skilled workers.

Who it’s for:

  • Professionals in occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List
  • Includes jobs in ICT, healthcare, engineering, science, and finance
  • Jobs paying €64,000+ per year (any role except ineligible occupations)

Salary requirements:

  • €32,000-€63,999: Must be on Critical Skills list
  • €64,000+: Any eligible occupation

Key benefits:

  • Two-year initial permit
  • Immediate family members can join you and work without restriction
  • Pathway to Stamp 4 (general work permission) after 2 years
  • No labour market needs test
  • Can lead to permanent residence

Application timeline: Your employer applies first. If approved, you then apply for a visa (if required) and travel to Ireland.

This is the permit you want if you qualify—it offers the clearest path to permanent residence and brings the fewest restrictions.

General Employment Permit

This is for jobs that don’t qualify for Critical Skills permits.

Who it’s for:

  • Jobs paying €30,000-€31,999 per year
  • Occupations not on the Ineligible Occupations List
  • Jobs where no suitable EEA/UK worker is available

Salary requirement:

  • Minimum €30,000 per year
  • Some regional exceptions allow slightly lower salaries in specific sectors

Key conditions:

  • Labour market needs test required (employer must advertise for 28 days)
  • Initial permit valid for 2 years
  • Can renew for 3 more years
  • After 5 years total, eligible for Stamp 4
  • Family members can join on Stamp 3 (no automatic work rights)

Restrictions:

  • Cannot change employer in first 12 months without new permit
  • Fewer job options than Critical Skills

The General Employment Permit works well if you don’t meet Critical Skills criteria, but expect a longer route to permanent status.

Intra-Company Transfer Permit

For employees being transferred within a multinational company to an Irish branch.

Who it’s for:

  • Senior managers and key personnel
  • Specialists with advanced knowledge
  • Must have worked for company outside Ireland for 12+ months

Requirements:

  • €30,000 minimum salary (€40,000 for new applicants)
  • Letter from parent company confirming transfer
  • Specific role in Irish branch

Benefits:

  • No labour market test
  • Can bring immediate family
  • Valid for up to 5 years initially

Limitations:

  • Cannot change to a different employer
  • Specific to company transfer situations

Contract for Services Employment Permit

For non-EEA workers contracted to provide services to an Irish business.

Who it’s for:

  • Specialists providing short-term services
  • Technical experts on specific projects
  • Contractors (not permanent employees)

Requirements:

  • Minimum €32,000 annual equivalent
  • Contract between overseas company and Irish client
  • Specific expertise required
  • Maximum 2 years duration

Reactivation Employment Permit

For non-EEA workers who previously held an employment permit and want to return to work in Ireland.

Who it’s for:

  • Previous permit holders returning to Ireland
  • Gap in employment must be less than 2 years
  • Valid job offer required

Benefits:

  • Faster processing (no labour market test)
  • Recognises previous time working in Ireland
  • Counts toward 5-year permanent residence requirement

Which permit do you need?

Choose based on your situation:

You have a job offer in ICT, healthcare, engineering, or another critical skills occupation: → Critical Skills Employment Permit (if salary is €32,000+)

You have a job offer paying €64,000+ per year: → Critical Skills Employment Permit

You have a job offer paying €30,000-€31,999 in a non-critical role: → General Employment Permit

Your company is transferring you to Ireland: → Intra-Company Transfer Permit

You’re a contractor providing specialist services: → Contract for Services Employment Permit

You held an Irish work permit previously: → Reactivation Employment Permit

Still unsure? Your potential employer’s HR department should know which permit applies to your role.

The application process

Step 1: Get a job offer

You need a firm job offer before applying. The employer must:

  • Be registered in Ireland
  • Pay appropriate wages
  • Meet employment standards
  • Provide a detailed job description

Irish employers are familiar with sponsoring foreign workers, especially in tech, healthcare, and other critical skills sectors.

Step 2: Employer applies for employment permit

Your employer, not you, submits the employment permit application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Documents required:

  • Completed application form
  • Job offer letter with salary, duties, qualifications required
  • Your CV and qualifications
  • Proof of advertising (for General Employment Permits)
  • Contract of employment
  • Evidence employer is genuine trading entity
  • Payment of €1,000 fee

For General Employment Permits specifically: Employers must advertise the role for 28 days with the Department of Social Protection and on two other recruitment platforms. They must demonstrate no suitable EEA/UK candidate was available.

Processing time:

  • Critical Skills: 6-8 weeks typically
  • General Employment: 8-12 weeks
  • Can be longer during peak periods

You cannot start work until the permit is approved.

Step 3: Apply for entry visa (if required)

Once your employment permit is approved, you need to check if you require an entry visa.

Visa-required countries: Most non-EEA nationals need a visa. Check the Irish Immigration website to see if your nationality requires one.

Application process:

  • Apply online through the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)
  • Provide employment permit approval
  • Passport, photos, financial evidence
  • Visa fee: €60 single entry, €100 multiple entry
  • Processing: 8-12 weeks

Visa-exempt countries: If you’re from a visa-exempt country (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia), you can travel to Ireland without a visa but must have your employment permit documents.

Step 4: Travel to Ireland

Once you have your approved employment permit and visa (if required):

  • Book your travel
  • Bring all original documents
  • Employment permit approval
  • Job contract
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Evidence of financial means

Immigration officers at the airport will review your documents before entry.

Step 5: Register with immigration

Within 90 days of arrival, you must register with immigration authorities and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.

Where to register:

  • Dublin: Registration Office, Burgh Quay
  • Outside Dublin: Your local Garda (police) station

Documents needed:

  • Passport
  • Employment permit
  • Letter from employer
  • Proof of address in Ireland
  • Registration fee: €300

IRP card: Your IRP card proves you’re legally resident in Ireland. It includes your Stamp type (Stamp 1 for employment permit holders). Carry it with you always.

Once registered, you should also get your PPS number, open a bank account, and register with a GP for healthcare.

Costs breakdown

Employment permit application:

  • Application fee: €1,000 (paid by employer typically)
  • Renewal fee: €1,000

Entry visa (if required):

  • Single entry visa: €60
  • Multiple entry visa: €100

IRP registration:

  • Registration fee: €300
  • Renewal: €300

Total first-year costs: €1,360-€1,400 (if visa required), €1,300 (if visa-exempt)

Many employers cover the employment permit fee as part of your relocation package, but not always. Clarify this during job negotiations.

Salary thresholds and requirements

Getting the salary right is crucial—applications are rejected if the salary doesn’t meet minimums.

2024 salary minimums:

Critical Skills Employment Permit:

  • €32,000 minimum (for roles on Critical Skills list)
  • €64,000 minimum (for roles not on list)

General Employment Permit:

  • €30,000 minimum
  • €28,000 for some agricultural and horticultural roles
  • €27,000 for some meat processing roles (with regional exceptions)

Intra-Company Transfer:

  • €30,000 minimum for existing employees
  • €40,000 for new applicants

Contract for Services:

  • €32,000 annual equivalent

These are gross annual salaries before tax. Make sure your job offer letter states the annual salary clearly.

What counts as salary:

  • Base salary
  • Guaranteed bonuses
  • Regular allowances

What doesn’t count:

  • Performance bonuses
  • Overtime
  • Benefits (health insurance, pension)
  • One-off payments

Ensure your offer letter specifies the guaranteed annual amount that will appear in your employment permit application.

Timeline: How long does everything take?

Job search: Varies—1-6 months typically for skilled roles

Employment permit processing:

  • Critical Skills: 6-8 weeks
  • General Employment: 8-12 weeks
  • Can be longer in peak hiring seasons

Visa processing (if required): 8-12 weeks

Total timeline from job offer to starting work: 4-6 months typically

Then:

  • Within 90 days of arrival: Register for IRP
  • After 2 years: Can apply for permit renewal or Stamp 4 (Critical Skills holders)
  • After 5 years: Eligible for long-term residence

Start early. If you’re job hunting from abroad, begin at least 6 months before you need to be in Ireland.

Bringing family members

Whether you can bring family depends on your permit type.

Critical Skills Employment Permit holders:

Your immediate family (spouse/partner and children under 18) can join you on a Stamp 3 visa with full work rights. They don’t need separate employment permits.

Application process: Apply for their visas once you’ve received your IRP card in Ireland. They’ll need:

  • Your employment permit and IRP as evidence
  • Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
  • Financial evidence showing you can support them
  • Accommodation details

Benefits:

  • Can work without restriction
  • Access to education for children
  • Can accompany you toward permanent residence

General Employment Permit holders:

Family members can join on Stamp 3, but they do NOT have automatic work rights.

If they want to work:

  • They need their own employment permit
  • Must find a job that qualifies
  • Employer must sponsor them separately

This is a significant difference from Critical Skills permits—consider this when deciding which permit to pursue.

Children’s education:

Children of employment permit holders can attend Irish schools. Public primary and secondary education is free (though “voluntary contributions” of €100-300/year are expected). See our guide on schools in Ireland for details.

Renewing your employment permit

Most permits are valid for 2 years initially. You can renew them if you’re still employed.

Renewal requirements:

  • Still employed with same employer
  • Salary still meets minimum thresholds
  • Employment contract continues
  • Employer submits renewal application
  • €1,000 renewal fee

When to renew: Apply 6-8 weeks before your current permit expires. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Renewal duration:

  • Second permit: Usually 3 years
  • Subsequent renewals: 3-5 years

After 5 years: If you’ve held employment permits for 5 years continuously, you can apply for Stamp 4 (long-term residence with general work permission). This removes employer restrictions.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

Employment permits can lead to permanent residence and eventual citizenship.

Timeline:

After 2 years (Critical Skills permit holders only): Can apply for Stamp 4 immediately. This gives you:

  • Work for any employer without restriction
  • No need for employment permits
  • Same employment rights as Irish/EU citizens
  • Pathway to permanent residence

After 5 years (all employment permit types): Eligible to apply for long-term residence (Stamp 4). Requirements:

  • 5 years continuous legal residence
  • Proof of employment or financial independence
  • Good character (no serious criminal record)
  • Paid taxes and complied with immigration rules

After 5 years (naturalisation): Can apply for Irish citizenship if you meet these conditions:

  • 5 years continuous legal residence in previous 9 years
  • 1 year continuous residence immediately before application
  • Good character
  • Intend to reside in Ireland
  • Made declaration of fidelity to Irish state

Irish citizenship gives you an EU passport, full rights to live and work anywhere in Ireland or the EU, and voting rights.

For detailed information about the citizenship process, see our guide to Irish citizenship.

Common reasons for permit refusal

Applications get rejected. Here’s why and how to avoid it:

1. Salary below minimum threshold

  • Check current thresholds carefully
  • Ensure offer letter states gross annual salary clearly
  • Include only guaranteed earnings

2. Incomplete documentation

  • Submit all required forms
  • Include original or certified copies where specified
  • Ensure qualifications are translated if not in English

3. Job not genuinely available

  • Employer must demonstrate genuine need
  • Job description must match role reality
  • Company must be legitimate trading entity

4. Inadequate labour market test (General Permit)

  • Must advertise full 28 days
  • Ads must be on correct platforms
  • Must demonstrate no suitable EEA/UK candidates

5. Ineligible occupation

  • Check the Ineligible Occupations List
  • Some jobs cannot qualify for any permit
  • Includes roles like retail assistant, care worker, and many hospitality positions

6. Previous immigration violations

  • Overstaying a previous visa
  • Working without authorisation
  • Providing false information

What to do if refused:

  • Review the refusal reasons carefully
  • Address specific issues raised
  • Reapply with corrected information
  • Consider appealing if you believe the decision was wrong

Most refusals result from paperwork issues or salary problems—both fixable. Work with your employer’s HR department to ensure everything is correct before submitting.

Changing employers

The rules for changing employers depend on your permit type and how long you’ve held it.

Critical Skills permit holders:

  • Can change employer at any time
  • New employer must apply for new permit
  • Faster processing (no labour market test)

General Employment Permit holders:

  • Cannot change employer in first 12 months
  • After 12 months, can change with new permit application
  • New employer must conduct labour market test

Intra-Company Transfer holders:

  • Cannot change to different employer
  • Specific to company transfer

After Stamp 4: Once you have Stamp 4 status, you can work for any employer without restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer before applying for a work permit?

Yes. You cannot apply for an Irish work permit without a job offer from an Irish employer. The employer applies on your behalf, so you need their sponsorship.

Can I job hunt in Ireland on a tourist visa?

Yes, you can visit Ireland as a tourist (visa-free for up to 90 days if you’re from a visa-exempt country) to attend interviews. However, you cannot start working until your employment permit is approved. Many people use tourist visits to secure job offers, then apply for permits from their home country.

How long does the entire process take?

From job offer to starting work: typically 4-6 months. This includes employment permit processing (6-12 weeks), visa processing if required (8-12 weeks), and travel arrangements. Start your job search well in advance of when you need to be in Ireland.

What’s the difference between a work permit and a visa?

An employment permit is permission to work in Ireland (issued by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment). A visa is permission to enter Ireland (issued by Department of Justice). Most non-EEA nationals need both. Apply for the employment permit first, then the visa.

Can I extend my stay if my employment permit expires?

You can renew your employment permit if you’re still employed and meet requirements. Apply 6-8 weeks before expiry. If your employment ends and you don’t have a new job, you typically have a short grace period (4 weeks) to find new employment or must leave Ireland.

Do I need to speak English?

There’s no official English language requirement for employment permits, but most jobs require English proficiency. Your employer determines language requirements for the role. Some professional accreditation bodies may require English language proof.

Can I be self-employed on a work permit?

No. Employment permits are for working for a specific Irish employer. Self-employment requires different permission (not covered by employment permits). Some entrepreneurs use the Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) instead.

What happens if I lose my job?

You have limited time to find a new job—typically 4 weeks. Your new employer must apply for a new employment permit before you can start work. If you held a Critical Skills permit, changing employers is easier. Some people return home while applications process.

Can I study while on a work permit?

Yes, you can study part-time while working on an employment permit. Your primary purpose must remain employment. Full-time study would require a different permission type.

My employer went out of business. What do I do?

Contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) immediately. Explain the situation and your plans to find new employment. They may grant you additional time to secure a new job and employment permit. Keep all documentation proving your previous employment and permit validity.

Next steps

If you’re considering working in Ireland:

1. Research which permit you’d qualify for Use the information above to determine Critical Skills vs General Employment Permit eligibility.

2. Check if your occupation is eligible Review the Ineligible Occupations List and Critical Skills Occupations List.

3. Start job hunting Focus on Irish employers hiring in your field. Use jobs in Ireland resources and LinkedIn. Tech companies, hospitals, and engineering firms regularly sponsor foreign workers.

4. Prepare your documents Gather qualifications, references, CV, and any professional certifications now. Having these ready speeds up applications once you get a job offer.

5. Understand the costs Budget for the cost of living in Ireland—particularly housing. Dublin is expensive, though salaries reflect this. Cork, Galway, and Limerick offer lower living costs with good job markets.

6. Plan your timeline If you need to be in Ireland by a specific date, start your job search 6-9 months in advance. The process takes longer than most people expect.

7. Learn about daily life Read our guides for Americans moving to Ireland, UK citizens relocating, or EU citizens moving to understand what life is actually like here.

Ireland’s employment permit system is straightforward once you understand it. The key is finding an employer willing to sponsor you, ensuring your salary meets thresholds, and being patient with the process. Many thousands of people successfully navigate this system every year—you can too.