Employment Permits (Work Permits)
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance.
Irish National Law
What is this right?
Non-EEA nationals generally need an employment permit to work in Ireland. The main types are:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: For highly skilled occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List (e.g., ICT, engineering, medical). Minimum salary €38,000 (or €64,000 for occupations not on the list). Leads to Stamp 4 after 2 years.
- General Employment Permit: For other occupations not on the Ineligible List. Minimum salary €34,000. Requires a labour market needs test (advertising the role for 28 days to show no suitable EEA candidates).
- Intra-Company Transfer Permit: For employees being transferred within a multinational company.
- Other types: Contract for Services, Internship, Sport and Cultural, Exchange Agreement.
Employment permits are applied for by the employer or the employee through the Department of Enterprise.
When does it apply?
- You are a non-EEA national who has been offered a job in Ireland.
- EU/EEA, Swiss, and UK citizens do not need an employment permit.
- Holders of Stamp 4 (e.g., spouses of Irish citizens, refugees, long-term residents) do not need a permit.
- Some occupations are on the Ineligible Occupations List — employment permits will not be granted for these roles.
What should you do?
- Check the occupation lists on enterprise.gov.ie — Critical Skills, General, and Ineligible.
- Apply online through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS).
- The processing fee is €1,000 (€500 for 6-month permits). The fee is refunded if the application is refused.
- Processing time is typically 8–12 weeks.
- If refused, you have 28 days to request a review.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't start work before the permit is granted — working without a permit is a criminal offence for both the employer and the employee.
- Don't stay with an abusive employer because of permit fears — you can apply to change employer, and there are protections for permit holders.
- Don't confuse visa and employment permit — you may need both (a visa to enter and a permit to work).
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