Work permits in Ireland
Critical Skills vs General Employment Permit
Which permit you qualify for, what salary an employer has to offer, how long it takes, and the practical way to find a company in Ireland that will actually sponsor you.
Salary floor
€34,000 general · €38,000 critical skills
Permit length
2 years, renewable
Family
Immediate on Critical Skills
Critical Skills vs General Employment Permit
Most people apply for the wrong one, or assume they do not qualify at all. The difference comes down to your occupation and the salary the employer offers.
| What matters | Critical Skills Employment Permit | General Employment Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Typical salary floor | €38,000 (list roles) or €64,000 (any role not on the ineligible list) | €34,000 for most roles |
| Labour market needs test | Not required | Required in most cases (4 week advertising) |
| Job offer length | 2 year contract minimum | 2 year permit, renewable |
| Family reunification | Immediate on arrival | After 12 months |
| Route to Stamp 4 | After 2 years | After 5 years |
| Change employer | After 12 months | After 12 months |
| Occupation list | Critical Skills Occupations List | Anything not on the Ineligible List |
| Government fee | €1,000 (2 years) | €1,000 (2 years) |
Thresholds and occupation lists are reviewed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Always confirm the current figure for your occupation before you apply.
The process, start to finish
- 1
Check whether your occupation qualifies
Before anything else, find your job title on the Critical Skills Occupations List or confirm it is not on the Ineligible List of Occupations. This single check decides which permit you can realistically target and what salary an employer has to offer you.
- 2
Get the job offer first
Ireland has no self-sponsored work permit. The permit application is built around a signed contract of employment of at least two years, so the job search comes before the paperwork, not after it.
- 3
Make sponsorship easy for the employer
Say clearly on your CV and in the first conversation which permit you are eligible for and how long it takes. Most Irish employers say no to sponsorship because they assume it is slow and complicated, not because they are unwilling.
- 4
Submit the permit application
Either you or the employer applies through the Employment Permits Online System. You need the signed contract, passport, qualifications, the employer's registration numbers and the fee. Processing time depends on the queue, so apply as early as the contract allows.
- 5
Apply for the entry visa if you need one
Once the permit is granted, non-visa-required nationals travel and register on arrival. Visa-required nationals apply for a long stay D employment visa with the permit attached.
- 6
Register with immigration in Ireland
Within 90 days of arrival, register for your IRP card, get your PPS number and open an Irish bank account. Employers expect these to be under way in your first weeks, so line them up before you land.
How to find an employer who will sponsor you
Do this
- Name the permit and your eligibility in one line under your contact details
- Apply to companies that already appear on the register of sponsoring employers
- Target multinationals, tech, medtech, pharma and finance in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick
- Never say 'visa required' with no detail, it reads as an unknown cost
- Have your qualification recognition (NARIC or professional body) ready before interviews
- Ask early and directly whether the role is open to permit candidates, it saves weeks
Myths that cost people months
- You can apply for an Irish work permit without a job offer
- You need European citizenship to work in Ireland
- A Critical Skills permit ties you to one employer forever
- Remote work from abroad for an Irish company counts towards Stamp 4
- Only tech roles qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit
Irish work permits: FAQ
What is the difference between a Critical Skills and a General Employment Permit in Ireland?
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for occupations Ireland is actively short of. It has a higher salary threshold, no labour market needs test, immediate family reunification and a route to Stamp 4 after two years. The General Employment Permit covers roles that are not on the ineligible list, has a lower salary threshold, usually requires the employer to advertise the role first, and takes five years to reach Stamp 4.
Can I get an Irish work permit without a job offer?
No. Every Irish employment permit is tied to a specific job with a specific employer and a contract of at least two years. There is no self-sponsored or points-based route, so the job search always comes first.
What is the minimum salary for a General Employment Permit in Ireland?
The General Employment Permit floor is €34,000 per year for most roles, with some exceptions at lower thresholds for specific occupations. Critical Skills permits start at €38,000 for occupations on the Critical Skills list and €64,000 for other eligible roles.
How long does an Irish employment permit take?
Processing depends on the queue at the Employment Permits Section and whether you are a trusted partner employer. Plan for weeks rather than days, and add extra time for an entry visa if your nationality requires one.
Can I bring my family on an Irish work permit?
On a Critical Skills Employment Permit your spouse or partner and children can join you immediately, and your partner can work without needing their own permit. On a General Employment Permit family reunification is possible after twelve months.
Can I change employer on an Irish work permit?
Yes, after twelve months with your first employer. You need a new permit for the new job, and the same occupation and salary rules apply.
Do I need European citizenship to work in Ireland?
No. Non-EU professionals work in Ireland every day on employment permits. Citizenship makes the process simpler but it is not a requirement, and waiting for a passport is usually far slower than finding a sponsoring employer.
The permit is the easy part. The job offer is not.
Nearly every Irish permit starts with a contract, and that starts with a CV an Irish recruiter recognises. Get the documents right first, then go after sponsoring employers.
More reading: the HULA blog, career coaching in Dublin and the 2026 CV checklist.