Who it is for
- ·Professionals whose occupation is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List but is not ineligible either.
- ·Candidates without the degree required for the €38,000 Critical Skills threshold.
- ·Roles in operations, support, specialist trades, healthcare and manufacturing that Ireland recruits internationally.
- ·Employers who are willing to advertise the role first and wait for the needs test to complete.
General Employment Permit: costs and timeline at a glance
The figures applicants ask about most. Source: enterprise.gov.ie and irishimmigration.ie.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Salary floor | €34,000 for most roles |
| Labour market needs test | 4 weeks of advertising in most cases |
| Application fee | €500 for up to 6 months, €1,000 for 6 to 24 months |
| Processing | Published weekly by the Employment Permits Section; Trusted Partner employers are processed faster. Plan for weeks after the advertising window closes |
| Register on arrival | IRP card within 90 days |
| Family reunification | After 12 months on the permit |
| Route to Stamp 4 | After 5 years |
Check the current processing dates on enterprise.gov.ie before you give notice or book flights.
The realistic timeline
Weeks 0 to 4: advertising
The employer runs the labour market needs test unless an exemption applies. Nothing can be submitted until this window closes.
Weeks 4 to 5: application
The permit application goes in through the Employment Permits Online System with the contract, passport, qualifications and the €1,000 fee for a two year permit.
Processing
Times move with the queue at the Employment Permits Section. Trusted partner employers are processed faster than standard applications.
Entry visa
Visa-required nationals then apply for a long stay D employment visa, which adds its own processing time.
Arrival
Register for the IRP card within 90 days, get a PPS number and open an Irish bank account.
How to make an employer say yes
Most Irish employers refuse sponsorship because they assume it is expensive and slow, not because they are unwilling. Naming the permit, the threshold and the timeline in your first conversation removes the unknown, and that is usually what turns a no into a maybe.
Target companies that already sponsor. The register of employers with trusted partner status and the job ads that mention permit support are a far better use of your time than applying blind to companies who have never done it.
Finally, make the salary maths easy. If the role sits close to €34,000, show the employer that the permit is straightforward at that level. If it sits below, the conversation is about the level of the role, not about you.
Keep going
What clients say about working with us
“My experience with HULA Career exceeded my expectations. They provided exceptional guidance throughout every step of my dream job search. I am incredibly grateful to Hugo and Laura for their unwavering support.”
“Hugo is a friendly and dedicated professional who can help you with career coaching. He was very attentive to me, making calls to teach me strategies to get the perfect job and providing accurate and professional material.”
“If you're looking for any career related help or advice in Ireland, HULA is the one for you. Hugo and Laura are two of the sweetest and kind hearted people who go above and beyond to support you.”
“I had an amazing experience with HULA Career! Their team provided outstanding support in improving my LinkedIn profile and CV, making them more professional and impactful. Their guidance was clear, personalized, and extremely helpful.”
“I've been a client of HULA Career for a while now, and working with them has been one of the best decisions I've made for my professional growth. From the very beginning, they made me feel seen and heard.”
“I had a very good experience with HULA! Hugo is an amazing professional who always goes beyond to provide the best service he can. I learned a lot from our sessions and would recommend 100% for anyone who needs help finding a new job.”
“HULA met my expectations perfectly. I was looking for guidance to create a standout resume, and they fully understood my needs. The team was extremely attentive and delivered excellent services.”
“They are excellent professionals and exceed expectations. They helped me in a practical way, but also in a psychological way so that I could position myself in the labour market in another country. Thank you so much, you're amazing.”
Not on the Critical Skills list? You still have a route.
In the free consultation we check whether your occupation is eligible, what salary the offer needs to reach, and which employers in your sector already sponsor at that level.
Written by
Hugo Faria
Career coach and co-founder of HULA. He works every week with international professionals hiring into Ireland, the UK and Portugal, and coaches them through CV, LinkedIn, applications and interviews. More about Hugo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the General Employment Permit in Ireland?+
It is the broadest Irish work permit. It covers any occupation that is not on the Ineligible List of Occupations, has a lower salary threshold than the Critical Skills permit, and usually requires the employer to advertise the role first through a labour market needs test.
What is the minimum salary for a General Employment Permit?+
€34,000 per year for most roles, with lower thresholds for a small number of specific occupations such as some healthcare and agriculture roles. The figure is reviewed by government, so confirm the current threshold before accepting an offer.
What is the labour market needs test?+
Before applying, the employer advertises the vacancy with the Department of Social Protection and in national and online media for a set period, to show no EEA candidate was available. It typically adds about four weeks before the permit application can be submitted.
How long does a General Employment Permit last?+
The first permit is granted for up to two years and is renewable for a further three. After five years of lawful work you can normally apply for Stamp 4 permission.
Can my family join me on a General Employment Permit?+
Family reunification is possible after twelve months, and your partner generally needs their own employment permit to work rather than the Stamp 1G that Critical Skills partners receive.
Which jobs are not eligible?+
Anything on the Ineligible List of Occupations, which covers most general administration, retail, hospitality service, marketing assistant, HR assistant and driver roles. If your job title appears there, no General Employment Permit can be granted for it.