Employment Permits
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Non-EEA nationals who want to work in Ireland generally need an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The two main types are the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) for high-demand, high-skill occupations and the General Employment Permit (GEP) for other eligible positions. Both are employer-specific and tied to a particular job.
The CSEP is designed to attract highly skilled workers to Ireland and offers a faster pathway to long-term residence. Holders receive Stamp 1 and can apply for Stamp 4 (unrestricted work rights) after just 2 years. The GEP requires a labour market needs test and offers Stamp 4 eligibility after 5 years. Spouses and partners of CSEP holders receive Stamp 1G, which allows them to work without a separate permit.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You are a non-EEA national with a job offer from an Irish employer
- You want to work in Ireland and need to determine which employment permit applies
- Your employer wants to hire a non-EEA worker and needs to apply for an employment permit
Key permit types:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): For occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List (ICT professionals, engineers, healthcare professionals, scientists, etc.). Minimum salary: EUR 32,000 for occupations on the list with a degree qualification; EUR 64,000 for all occupations (even if not on the list) with relevant experience. No labour market needs test required. 2-year permit initially. Stamp 1 with pathway to Stamp 4 after 2 years. Application fee: EUR 1,000. Spouse/partner gets Stamp 1G (open work access).
- General Employment Permit (GEP): For occupations not on the Ineligible Categories list. Minimum salary: EUR 34,000 (EUR 27,000 for certain categories including non-EEA students transitioning). Labour market needs test required (job must be advertised for 28 days through DEASP/EURES and in national media). Initial permit: 2 years, renewable. Application fee: EUR 500 (up to 6 months) or EUR 1,000 (6 months to 2 years). Stamp 1 with pathway to Stamp 4 after 5 years.
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit: For employees being transferred from an overseas branch to an Irish branch. Minimum salary: EUR 40,000. Must have been employed by the company for at least 6 months. No labour market needs test. Maximum 5 years. Fee: EUR 500 to EUR 1,000.
- Reactivation Employment Permit: For people who entered the employment permit system lawfully but fell out of the system through no fault of their own (e.g., employer became redundant or exploitative). Minimum salary: EUR 30,000. Fee: EUR 500 to EUR 1,000.
- Stamp 1G (Spouse/Partner/Dependant): Granted to spouses and dependants of CSEP holders and certain other categories. Allows the holder to take up employment with any employer without needing a separate permit. No fee beyond the EUR 300 IRP registration fee.
What to Do If You Need an Employment Permit to Work in Ireland
Step 1: Check whether your occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List or the Ineligible Categories list at enterprise.gov.ie. If it is on the Ineligible list, an employment permit cannot be issued for that occupation.
Step 2: For a GEP, your employer must conduct a labour market needs test. This requires advertising the position for at least 28 days through the Department of Social Protection (DSP) employment services/EURES and in national newspapers or online job platforms. Evidence of the recruitment effort must be submitted with the application.
Step 3: Apply online through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at epos.djei.ie. Either the employer or the employee can submit the application, but both must sign the application form. Include: job offer letter, employment contract, proof of qualifications (and recognition by Quality and Qualifications Ireland if applicable), passport copy, and evidence of labour market needs test (for GEP).
Step 4: Pay the application fee (EUR 500 for permits up to 6 months, EUR 1,000 for 6 months to 2 years). Processing time: approximately 4 to 12 weeks. The DETE publishes current processing times at enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits.
Step 5: Once the permit is granted, if you are outside Ireland, apply for a visa (if you are a visa-required national) at the nearest Irish embassy or consulate. Non-visa-required nationals can travel directly to Ireland with the permit.
Step 6: Register with your local immigration registration office within 90 days of arriving. In Dublin, register at the Burgh Quay Registration Office. Outside Dublin, register at your local Garda station. You will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card (EUR 300 registration fee). Your passport will be stamped with Stamp 1.
What should you NOT do?
Don't start working before your employment permit is granted. Working without a valid employment permit is an offence under the Employment Permits Acts. Both the worker and the employer can be prosecuted. Penalties include fines of up to EUR 250,000 and/or up to 10 years imprisonment for employers.
Don't change employers without a new permit. Employment permits are employer-specific. If you want to change jobs, your new employer must apply for a new employment permit before you can start the new position. You can apply for the new permit while still employed on the current one.
Don't let your employer hold your passport or permit. It is illegal for an employer to retain your employment permit, passport, or other identity documents. Under the Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014, section 26, this is an offence. If an employer takes your documents, contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) at workplacerelations.ie.
Don't work on occupations on the Ineligible Categories list. Certain categories (general labourers, retail sales, clerical roles, domestic work, etc.) are not eligible for employment permits. Applying for an ineligible occupation will result in refusal and loss of the application fee.
Don't ignore the salary thresholds. Employment permits have strict minimum salary requirements. Your actual pay must meet the minimum stated on the permit. If your employer pays you less than the agreed salary, this is a breach of the permit conditions and employment law. Report breaches to the WRC.
Common Questions
When does it apply — employment permits?
This applies when:You are a non-EEA national with a job offer from an Irish employerYou want to work in Ireland and need to determine which employment permit appliesYour employer wants to hire a non-EEA worker and needs to apply for an employment permitKey permit types:Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): For occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List (ICT professionals, engineers, healthcare professionals, scientists, etc.). Minimum salary: EUR 32,000 for occupations on the list with a degree qualification; EUR 64,000 for all occupations (even if not on the list) with relevant e...
What should I do if I have a job offer in Ireland and need to apply for an employment permit?
Step 1: Check whether your occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List or the Ineligible Categories list at enterprise.gov.ie. If it is on the Ineligible list, an employment permit cannot be issued for that occupation.Step 2: For a GEP, your employer must conduct a labour market needs test. This requires advertising the position for at least 28 days through the Department of Social Protection (DSP) employment services/EURES and in national newspapers or online job platforms. Evidence of the recruitment effort must be submitted with the application.Step 3: Apply online through the Emp...
What should you NOT do — employment permits?
Don't start working before your employment permit is granted. Working without a valid employment permit is an offence under the Employment Permits Acts. Both the worker and the employer can be prosecuted. Penalties include fines of up to EUR 250,000 and/or up to 10 years imprisonment for employers.Don't change employers without a new permit. Employment permits are employer-specific. If you want to change jobs, your new employer must apply for a new employment permit before you can start the new position. You can apply for the new permit while still employed on the current one.Don't let your em...
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