Work / Employment in Ireland: Requirements and Fees

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

Permit for high-demand occupations (mostly ICT, engineering, healthcare). No Labour Market Needs Test required, and it offers a fast track to Stamp 4 after 2 years.

Processing time: Roughly 2-week queue (DETE was processing CSEP applications received 19 May 2026 as of early June 2026 - check live tracker)
Validity: Up to 24 months initially
Language requirement: None
Permanent residence: Apply for Stamp 4 after 2 years (no employer support letter required since 30 Nov 2023)
Citizenship: 5 years reckonable residence out of the last 9 (Stamp 1 and Stamp 4 count)

Requirements

Occupation must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Salary threshold approximately EUR 38,000+ where a relevant degree is held (restricted-occupation tiers reported higher; confirm current figure on DETE page)
Salary EUR 64,000+ for eligible occupations not on the list (any degree-level role not on the ineligible list)
Job offer for a minimum of 2 years
Employer registered with Revenue and trading in Ireland

Required Documents

Signed job offer / contract (minimum 2 years) required
Passport copy required
Evidence of qualifications / skills required
Employer registration details required
Remuneration details required

Official fees

Employment permit fee (up to 24 months) 1,000 EUR
Refund if application refused (90%) 900 EUR

Process Steps

1

Confirm eligibility

Confirm the occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
2

Apply via EPOS

Employer or employee submits the application via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at least 12 weeks before the intended start date.
3

Pay fee

Pay the EUR 1,000 permit fee.
4

Processing

Application is queued by employer type (Standard vs Trusted Partner) and processed in date order.
5

Respond to queries

Respond to any request for further information within 28 days.
6

Register IRP

On grant, enter Ireland and register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) on Stamp 1.
7

Transition to Stamp 4

After 2 years, apply to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4 (no employer support letter required). Family members can join immediately.

Official Sources

Critical Skills Employment Permit - DETE Official
Employment Permits Fees - DETE Official
Current Application Processing Dates - DETE Official
Critical Skills Employment Permits Checklist (PDF) Official

General Employment Permit (GEP)

Permits non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland in occupations not on the Ineligible Occupations List. Requires a Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) in most cases and a minimum annual salary of EUR 36,605 (standard) or EUR 32,691 for specified lower-threshold sectors. New permits cost EUR 500 (up to 6 months) or EUR 1,000 (6–24 months); renewals cost EUR 750 (up to 6 months) or EUR 1,500 (up to 36 months). Governed by the Employment Permits Act 2024 in force from 2 September 2024.

Processing time: New (non-CSEP) applications being processed from 9 March 2026; renewals from 6 March 2026 (as of early June 2026 - check live tracker)
Validity: Up to 24 months initially; renewals up to 36 months
Language requirement: None
Permanent residence: Long-Term Residency after 5 years (60 months) on employment-permit-based stamps
Citizenship: 5 years reckonable residence out of the last 9 (Stamp 1 from a work permit counts)

Requirements

Occupation not on the ineligible list
Minimum salary approximately EUR 34,000 per year (DETE page returned EUR 36,605 for a 39-hour week; confirm current threshold)
Bona-fide registered employer
Labour Market Needs Test usually required (advertise the role) unless exempt
50% EEA workforce rule generally applies

Required Documents

Signed employment contract required
Passport copy required
Evidence of qualifications / experience required
Employer registration details required
Labour Market Needs Test evidence required

Official fees

Permit fee (6 months or less) 500 EUR
Permit fee (over 6 months up to 24 months) 1,000 EUR
Renewal (6 months or less) 1,500 EUR
Renewal (up to 36 months) 1,500 EUR

Process Steps

1

Labour Market Needs Test

Employer normally conducts a Labour Market Needs Test (advertise the role) unless exempt.
2

Apply via EPOS

Submit via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at least 12 weeks before the start date.
3

Pay fee

Pay the fee (EUR 500 or EUR 1,000 depending on duration).
4

Processing

Processed in date order by employer type; respond to information requests within 28 days.
5

Register IRP

On grant, register for the Irish Residence Permit (Stamp 1).
6

Long-Term Residency

After 5 years (60 months) on employment-permit-based stamps you may apply for Long-Term Residency.

Official Sources

General Employment Permit - DETE Official
Employment Permits Fees - DETE Official
General Employment Permits Checklist (PDF) Official
Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) Official

Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit

Permits non-EEA senior managers, key personnel, and trainees employed by a multinational to transfer temporarily from an overseas branch to an Irish entity of the same group. One of the nine permit types under the Employment Permits Act 2024. Does not accumulate toward permanent residency. Minimum salary EUR 49,523 for senior/key personnel, EUR 36,605 for trainees.

Processing time: Applications should be submitted approximately 12 weeks before the employment start date via the Employment Permits Online system. Standard processing is within weeks; no fixed SLA is published.
Validity: Up to 24 months initial; renewable to a maximum 5-year total stay
Language requirement: No statutory language requirement; business language is English
Permanent residence: ICT permit time does not count toward long-term residency or Stamp 4. Permanent residency is not accessible via this route.
Citizenship: ICT permit time is not reckonable for naturalisation purposes.

Requirements

Non-EEA national employed by a multinational company
Transferring to an Irish entity within the same corporate group
Minimum 6 months prior employment with the overseas employer (1 month for trainees)
Role must be senior management, key personnel (specialist knowledge), or structured trainee
Minimum annual salary of EUR 49,523 (senior/key personnel) or EUR 36,605 (trainees)
Both foreign and Irish entities must be engaged in substantive business and be registered
Documented corporate link between foreign and Irish entity
No Labour Market Needs Test required

Required Documents

Completed application via Employment Permits Online (EPOS) required
Employment contract or letter of assignment from the Irish employer required
Evidence of at least 6 months prior employment with the overseas branch (payslips, employment letter) required
Evidence of corporate link between overseas and Irish entities (e.g. certificate of ownership, group structure chart) required
Evidence of substantive business operations of both entities required
Passport (valid for duration of permit) required
Training plan (for trainees only)

Official fees

New permit (up to 6 months) 500 EUR
New permit (6–24 months) 1,000 EUR
Renewal (up to 6 months) 500 EUR
Renewal (6–24 months) 1,000 EUR
Renewal (up to 36 months) 1,500 EUR

Process Steps

1

Confirm eligibility

Verify the role qualifies as senior management, key personnel, or trainee, the corporate link exists, and prior employment duration is met (6 months; 1 month for trainees).
2

Submit application via EPOS

The employer or a nominated representative submits the application through Employment Permits Online (EPOS) approximately 12 weeks before the intended start date. Pay the permit fee (EUR 500 for up to 6 months; EUR 1,000 for 6–24 months).
3

Await decision

DETE may request additional information within 28-day windows. 90% of the fee is refunded if the application is refused.
4

Apply for employment visa if required

Non-EEA nationals from visa-required countries must apply for a long-stay employment 'D' visa at the relevant Irish Embassy or Visa Application Centre, presenting the permit approval.
5

Register immigration permission on arrival

Register at the Burgh Quay Registration Office (Dublin) or a Regional Registration Office to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. Fee: EUR 300.