Ireland•EuropeGEP — General Employment Permit
At a Glance
2–3 months
EUR €3,750
Up to 24 months
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Employer-sponsored permit for skilled roles in Ireland with a job offer paying at least EUR 36,605; up to 5 years and a Stamp 4 route.
Ireland's premium work permit for highly skilled non-EEA professionals filling shortage roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List — tech, engineering, healthcare and other specialisms. Issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, it skips the Labour Market Needs Test and requires a 2-year job offer from an Ireland-based employer registered with Revenue and the CRO.
Salary floor is €40,904 on the Critical Skills list (€36,848 if the qualifying degree was earned in the prior 12 months), or €68,911 for other qualifying roles. The application fee is €1,000, with 90% refunded on refusal. Permits run 2 years, renewable, and convert directly to Stamp 4 without a further permit, leading to long-term residence after 5 years. Spouses can join and work freely.
This visa is ideal for non-EEA degree-holders with a confirmed Irish job offer in a shortage occupation seeking a fast route to long-term residency for themselves and family.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Tied to program duration |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
IrelandIrelandCSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Job offer from a bona-fide employer based and trading in Ireland.
Minimum annual remuneration of €36,605 (or €34,009 for certain graduate roles).
Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) must be completed (advertising the role in the DSP Employment Services/EURES and a national newspaper for at least 14 days).
The occupation must not be on the non-qualifying List of Occupations for Employment Permits.
Applicant must possess the relevant qualifications, skills, or experience for the role.
Company must meet the 50:50 rule (50% or more EEA employees), unless a waiver applies.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
vocational or higher
Min. Income
36,605 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed employment permit application form.
Copy of passport.
Signed employment contract.
Proof of Labour Market Needs Test (advertisements).
Employer business details and registration numbers.
Proof of qualifications/experience.
Passport-sized photo.
If resident in Ireland, copy of current immigration stamp and IRP card.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Pathway to Stamp 4 long-term residence after 5 years on the permit.
- Open to most skilled occupations, not just those on the Critical Skills list.
- Initial permit up to 24 months and renewable for 3 more years.
- 90% fee refund if the application is refused.
- Foreign national or employer can submit the application via the EPOS portal.
Worth Knowing
- Requires a confirmed job offer from an Irish-registered employer paying at least EUR 36,605/year.
- Most roles require a Labour Market Needs Test before the permit can be issued.
- Current processing is around 12 weeks for new applications (DETE, May 2026).
- Employer must meet the 50:50 EEA-employee rule unless a waiver applies.
- Family members get no dependant permit; spouses need their own employment permit.
- Occupation appears on the non-qualifying List of Occupations for Employment Permits.
- Offered salary below EUR 36,605 (or applicable reduced threshold of EUR 34,009 / EUR 32,691).
Application Process
Secure a job offer from an Irish-registered employer paying at least EUR 36,605/year (or applicable reduced threshold).
Employer (or applicant) completes the Labour Market Needs Test where required: 28-day EURES advert plus 3-day national and 3-day local newspaper advertising.
Submit the application online via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) on enterprise.gov.ie, paying the fee (EUR 500 for up to 6 months or EUR 1,000 for 6-24 months).
Respond to any 28-day information requests from the Employment Permits Unit during processing.
On approval, receive the permit (issued to the employee, copy to employer) and travel to Ireland; if visa-required, apply for an entry visa at the nearest Irish embassy/consulate.
Register with immigration on arrival to obtain Stamp 1 and the Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
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