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.
Last updated
Do I need a work permit for Ireland?
Yes, if you are not an EU, EEA, UK or Swiss citizen. Most people use one of two permits: the Critical Skills Employment Permit (salary from €40,904, about 8 days to process in September 2026) or the General Employment Permit (salary from €36,605, about 32 days). Both need a job offer from an Irish employer first, and both cost €1,000 for two years.
| 2026 | Critical Skills | General Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum salary | €40,904 (€68,911 without list role) | €36,605 |
| Processing time (Sep 2026) | About 8 days | About 32 days |
| Labour market test | Not required | Usually 28 days advertising |
| Family joins you | Immediately | After 12 months |
| Route to Stamp 4 | After 2 years | After 5 years |
| Fee | €1,000 | €1,000 |
Salary floor
€36,605 general · €40,904 critical skills
Permit length
2 years, renewable
Family
Immediate on Critical Skills
How long does an Irish work permit take in 2026?
The Department of Enterprise processes applications in the order they arrive, and publishes the date it has reached in each queue. As of 18 September 2026 it was working on Critical Skills Employment Permit applications received on 10 September 2026 (about 8 days of queue), new General Employment Permit applications from 17 August 2026 (about 32 days), new Intra-Company Transfer applications from 16 September 2026, renewals from 27 June 2026 (about 83 days) and reviews or appeals from 14 April 2026. The department asks for applications at least 12 weeks before the start date, and a General Employment Permit usually needs a 28 day labour market needs test advertisement before the application can even be filed.
| Application type | Queue reached (18 Sep 2026) | Approx. wait |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit (new) | 10 September 2026 | About 8 days |
| General Employment Permit (new) | 17 August 2026 | About 32 days |
| Intra-Company Transfer (new) | 16 September 2026 | About 2 days |
| All other new applications | 21 July 2026 | About 59 days |
| Renewals (all permit types) | 27 June 2026 | About 83 days |
| Reviews and appeals | 14 April 2026 | About 157 days |
Source: Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, current processing dates, 18 September 2026. These are queue positions on the day, not a promise of a decision date, and they move with application volume. Check the official page before you commit to a start date. Official processing dates.
The queue is only part of the wait. Add the job search, the two year contract, the needs test where it applies, and the entry visa afterwards. Search the 16,063 employers that already sponsored permits to start at the right end of the process.
Irish employment permits in 2026: the key figures
In 2026 an Irish work permit needs a signed job offer of at least two years. The General Employment Permit starts at €36,605 a year and usually needs a four week labour market needs test. The Critical Skills Employment Permit starts at €40,904 for occupations on the Critical Skills list and €68,911 for other eligible roles, with no needs test, immediate family reunification and Stamp 4 after two years. A two year permit costs €1,000 in government fees.
| Figure | General Employment Permit | Critical Skills Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum annual salary | €36,605 | €40,904 (list roles) · €68,911 (other roles) |
| Labour market needs test | Required in most cases (4 weeks) | Not required |
| Minimum contract length | 2 years | 2 years |
| Government fee (2 years) | €1,000 | €1,000 |
| Family can join | After 12 months | Immediately, partner can work |
| Route to Stamp 4 | After 5 years | After 2 years |
| Change employer | After 12 months | After 12 months |
Figures reflect the Employment Permits Act rules in force in 2026. Always confirm the current thresholds for your specific occupation before applying. Last reviewed 2026-10-26.
Applying from outside Ireland? Start with the Irish CV examples, companies that sponsor in Ireland and career coaching in Dublin.
Who actually gets Irish work permits (official data)
Ireland granted 39,390 employment permits in 2024, 31,044 in 2025 and a further 26,629 in the first eight months of 2026, with 2,967 applications refused. Health and social work was the largest sector in 2026 with 7,227 permits, ahead of hospitality with 2,760 and technology with 2,707. Indian nationals received the most permits (8,067), followed by the Philippines (3,866) and Brazil (3,269). In total, 16,063 named Irish employers were granted at least one permit since 2024.
Top sectors, 2026 (Jan to Aug)
- Health & social work7,227
- Accommodation & food services2,760
- Information & communication (tech)2,707
- Construction1,830
- Agriculture, forestry & fishing1,744
- Financial & insurance1,044
Top nationalities, 2026 (Jan to Aug)
- India8,067
- Philippines3,866
- Brazil3,269
- China1,525
- Pakistan1,310
- South Africa1,002
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 | €40,904 (list roles) or €68,911 (any role not on the ineligible list) | €36,605 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.
What is on the Critical Skills Occupations List?
The Critical Skills Occupations List is the Irish government's official list of jobs where there are not enough workers in Ireland. If your role is on it and the salary is at least €40,904, you qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit: no labour market needs test, your family joins you immediately and you can get Stamp 4 after two years. The list covers ICT, engineering, health, finance, science and construction management, and it is reviewed roughly once a year.
| Area | Examples of roles on the list |
|---|---|
| ICT and software | Software engineers and developers, data analysts and data scientists, IT project managers, cyber security specialists |
| Engineering | Civil, mechanical, electrical, process and quality engineers, design and development engineers |
| Health and social care | Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, occupational and speech therapists |
| Business and finance | Chartered and certified accountants, auditors, actuaries, financial and investment analysts, tax specialists |
| Science | Chemists, biologists and laboratory scientists in pharma and medical devices, quality and regulatory roles |
| Construction and planning | Construction project managers, quantity surveyors, chartered surveyors, town planners |
This is a summary by area, not the full list. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment publishes the complete list with exact job titles, and it changes: always check the current version for your exact occupation before you apply.
Your role is on the list? Read the Critical Skills Employment Permit guide for the exact thresholds and family rights, then search the 16,063 employers that already sponsor permits.
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.
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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
Documents you need for an Irish work permit
Have these ready before the application goes in. Missing or mismatched documents are the most common reason a permit is delayed or returned.
- Valid passport with at least 12 months left, full colour scan of the bio page
- Signed job offer or contract: start date, salary, hours and at least 2 years duration
- Degree certificate and transcript (needed for the €40,904 Critical Skills threshold)
- Updated CV matching the qualifications and experience in the application
- Employer registration numbers: Revenue (CHY or tax) and Companies Registration Office
- Labour market needs test evidence for a General Employment Permit, unless exempt
- Recent passport-style photo and, where required, professional registration (e.g. nursing)
- Proof of current immigration permission if you are already in Ireland
Worried about your salary clearing the threshold after tax? Try the Irish take-home pay calculator or see what your role pays in the Ireland salary report 2026.
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?
From 1 March 2026 the General Employment Permit floor is €36,605 per year for most roles, with some exceptions at lower thresholds for specific occupations. Critical Skills permits start at €40,904 for occupations on the Critical Skills list and €68,911 for other eligible roles.
How long does an Irish employment permit take in 2026?
Applications are processed in the order they arrive. On 18 September 2026 the Department of Enterprise was working on Critical Skills applications received on 10 September 2026, new General Employment Permit applications from 17 August 2026, and renewals from 27 June 2026. That is roughly 8 days of queue for Critical Skills, 32 days for a new General Employment Permit and 83 days for a renewal. The department asks for applications at least 12 weeks before the start date, and General Employment Permits usually need a 28 day labour market needs test advertisement first. Add an entry visa afterwards 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.
Which Irish companies actually sponsor work permits?
The Department of Enterprise publishes every employer granted an employment permit. Across 2024 to 2026 that is 16,063 named Irish employers, led by Dawn Meats, Google Ireland, Ernst & Young, Amazon Development Centre Ireland, Cork University Hospital, Accenture and Tata Consultancy Services. You can search all of them by name on our companies that sponsor visas in Ireland page.
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.
Can my spouse or partner work in Ireland?
If you hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your spouse or de facto partner receives Stamp 1G and can work without their own permit. On a General Employment Permit, family can join after twelve months and a partner normally needs their own employment permit to work.
Can I apply for an Irish work permit from outside Ireland?
Yes. Most first permits are applied for while the candidate is still abroad. You or your employer apply online through the Employment Permits Online System, and visa-required nationals then apply for a long stay D employment visa before travelling.
Who pays the Irish work permit fee?
Either the employer or the employee can pay. The fee is €1,000 for a permit of 6 to 24 months and €500 for up to 6 months, and 90 percent is refunded if the application is refused.
What is the Critical Skills Occupations List?
It is the Irish government's official list of jobs where there are not enough workers in Ireland, covering ICT and software, engineering, health, finance, science and construction management. If your occupation is on the list and the salary is at least €40,904, you qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit: no labour market needs test, immediate family reunification and Stamp 4 after two years.
What is the Ineligible List of Occupations in Ireland?
The Ineligible List of Occupations covers jobs for which Irish employment permits are generally not granted, mostly roles where there is no shortage of Irish or EU workers. If your occupation is on it, neither a Critical Skills nor a General Employment Permit is normally available for that role, so check it before accepting an offer.
Go deeper on each permit route
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Eligibility, the €41k and €69k thresholds, family rights and the Stamp 4 route.
General Employment Permit
The €36.6k threshold, the labour market needs test and the realistic timeline.
Visa sponsorship jobs
Which Irish employers sponsor, and how to reach them from abroad.
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: how to get a job in Ireland, step by step, the HULA blog, career coaching in Dublin and the 2026 CV checklist.
Career coaching in Ireland
Our main Ireland page: how the Irish hiring market works, what recruiters expect, and how we coach you through it.