Irish Employment Permits to Work in Ireland

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is intended to attract highly skilled professionals to Ireland’s labour market, with the goal of encouraging them to settle permanently in the State. Occupations eligible for this permit are considered essential to Ireland’s economic growth, are in high demand, require advanced skills, and face a significant shortage in the domestic labour market.

Application Process

Applications for a Critical Skills Employment Permit must be submitted online at least 12 weeks before the employment start date, using the provided checklist to ensure all required information is included. The process has three stages: the application is first received and queued based on employer type (Trusted Partner or Standard), then reviewed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) who may request additional information within 28 days before approving or refusing it. If refused, applicants can request a review within 28 days by a more senior official at DETE and may still submit a new application afterward.

Fee

The fee for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is €1,000, with 90% refundable if the application is unsuccessful. Refunds are issued only to the applicant, even if paid by a third party. Employers cannot deduct or recover any part of the application fee from the permit holder’s salary.

The Hosting Agreement Scheme is an Irish immigration route designed specifically for non-EEA researchers employed by accredited research organisations, including universities. It enables eligible researchers to live and work in Ireland without the need for a traditional employment permit. To qualify, the researcher must hold a contract for a role that is primarily research-focused, and the host institution must issue a formal Hosting Agreement approved by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). The scheme provides streamlined entry and residence arrangements, and researchers may apply for Stamp 4 permission after two years of continuous residence under a Hosting Agreement. The scheme also facilitates the mobility of dependents, who may access the Irish labour market without requiring their own employment permit.

Eligibility

-You must be a non-EU/EEA national with a relevant higher education qualification.

-Have a research contract with TUS for at least three months.

-Earn a minimum of €23,181 per year (or €30,000 if you have a spouse and/or children in Ireland).

Application Process

Citizens of certain countries must obtain an entry visa to Ireland in addition to a Hosting Agreement. If your country is listed in this table, a visa is not required for entry. Hosting Agreement holders who require a visa must apply for a long-stay Scientific Researcher visa. This involves completing an online application and submitting all necessary documents and letters to Irish immigration authorities or the nearest Irish consulate or embassy. The Scientific Researcher visa applications are processed in the order they are received, and travel should not be booked until a decision is made. Processing times typically take up to 8 weeks but can be longer if documentation is incomplete, requires verification, or due to personal circumstances. Spouses of Hosting Agreement holders must apply for a Join Family visa.

Fees

The fee for a Scientific Researcher Visa is €60 for a single entry, €100 for a multi-entry and €25 transit. It is important to note the visa fee is an administrative charge that covers the cost of processing your application and is non-refundable, even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

For further information on hosting agreements in Ireland, EURAXESS Ireland Office advises on qualifications and research roles that qualify for hosting agreements.

The General Employment Permit (GEP) is an Irish work permit available to non-EEA nationals for a wide range of occupations that are not eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit. It is designed to fill roles where suitably qualified candidates are difficult to recruit within the EEA. To qualify, the role must not appear on the Ineligible Occupations List and must meet the minimum salary and labour market test requirements set by the DETE. The permit is typically granted for up to two years initially and can be renewed, allowing progression toward longer-term residence. The GEP provides a flexible route for a broad range of professional, technical, and administrative roles within the higher education sector and beyond.

Eligibility

-You must have a valid job offer from a bona fide Irish employer registered and actively trading in the State.

-Applications must include a detailed job description.

-Confirmation that the role is not on the Ineligible Occupations List, and evidence of the required qualifications, skills, or experience.

-The standard minimum salary is €34,000.

Application Process

Applications for a General Employment Permit must be submitted online at least 12 weeks before the intended start date, using the checklist to ensure all required information is included. Once submitted, the application enters a processing queue based on employer type and is reviewed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who may request additional information within 28 days before issuing a decision. If refused, applicants can request a review within 28 days by a more senior official, and may still submit a new application afterward.

Fees

The processing fee for a new General Employment Permit is €500 for permits of up to 6 months and €1,000 for those lasting up to 24 months. Renewal fees are €750 for up to 6 months and €1,500 for up to 36 months. If an application is refused, 90% of the fee is refunded, though refunds are issued only to the applicant, even if a third party paid the fee.

Stamp 1G is an Irish immigration permission that allows eligible non-EU/EEA graduates and certain family members to live and work in Ireland without needing an employment permit, subject to specific conditions.

Eligibility 

– Non-EU/EEA nationals who have successfully completed an eligible Irish third-level qualification, and must hold a Stamp 2 student permission at the time of application. For more details and requirements for holding a stamp 2 student permission please visit the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. 

-Application must be made from within Ireland and must apply within six months of receiving official confirmation of final results.

-Must not have exceeded the maximum time permitted on student immigration permissions. (For Level 8 bachelor’s degree graduates, you must not have exceeded a total of 7 years’ residence in Ireland on student permissions (which includes time on Stamp 2 and Stamp 1G combined) when applying for or holding Stamp 1G. For Level 9 or above graduates (master’s/PhD), the overall limit is 8 years on student-related permissions (Stamp 2 plus Stamp 1G combined).

Application Process

Eligible applicants must apply for Stamp 1G online while physically present in Ireland and within six months of receiving final course results. Applicants must hold a valid Stamp 2 permission at the time of application and submit required documents, including a valid passport, current Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, official confirmation of final results, private medical insurance, and an Irish address. Applications are made through the Irish Immigration Service online registration system, where applicants select Registration Renewal and choose Stamp 1G as the permission type. If approved, the new IRP card showing Stamp 1G is issued and posted to the applicant’s Irish address.

Fees

A €300 immigration registration fee applies for each registration or renewal.