Ireland•EuropeICT — Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive
At a Glance
1–3 months
EUR €3,000
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Temporary transfer permit for senior managers, key personnel (€49,523+) and trainees (€36,605+) within multinationals to Irish establishments.
Ireland's Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Employment Permit, issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, lets multinationals temporarily move senior managers, key personnel with specialist knowledge, and trainees from an overseas branch to an Irish entity. Senior managers and key personnel must earn €49,523+/year; trainees €36,605+. No labour market test applies.
Permits run up to 24 months, renewable to a 5-year total (12 months for trainees). Fees are €500 (≤6 months) or €1,000 (6–24 months), with €1,500 for 36-month renewals; refusals get a 90% refund. Senior managers and key personnel need 6 months prior service overseas (1 month for trainees). Holders accrue no long-term residency rights, and dependants must apply for their own permit.
This visa is ideal for multinational employees moving temporarily to an Irish branch to manage operations, share specialist expertise, or complete a structured training assignment.
Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
IrelandCSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit
IrelandRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a non-EEA national.
Must be employed by an overseas branch of a multinational corporation.
Must be transferring to an Irish branch of the same corporation.
Role must be Senior Management, Key Personnel (earning at least €40,000/year), or a Trainee (earning at least €30,000/year).
Must have been employed by the overseas company for at least 6 months (or 1 month for trainees) prior to transfer.
The Irish host company must be registered with the Companies Registration Office and Revenue Commissioners, and be actively trading in Ireland.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
Min. Income
49,523 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed Employment Permit application form via EPOS.
Evidence of employment relationship (contract, pay slips).
Passport copy and identification documents.
Detailed job description and confirmation of skills alignment.
Evidence of the corporate link between the overseas and Irish entities.
Proof of salary and remuneration details.
Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No labour market test required; non-qualifying List of Occupations does not apply
- Employees remain on the foreign payroll throughout the assignment
- Permits granted for up to 24 months at a time, renewable to a 5-year total
- 90% fee refund if the application is refused
- Facilitates rapid global mobility of senior managers and specialists within multinationals
Worth Knowing
- Senior managers and key personnel must earn at least €49,523/year (€36,605 for trainees)
- Senior managers and key personnel need 6 months prior service overseas (1 month for trainees)
- Trainee assignments capped at 12 months; cannot be used to fill a permanent vacancy
- Permit must be returned within 4 weeks if employment terminates
- Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks before the employment start date
- Does not lead to long-term residency or permanent residency in Ireland
- Spouses and dependants are not qualifying for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply separately
Application Process
Verify company presence
Confirm company is trading substantively in Ireland
Confirm transfer
Employee must have worked 6+ months (1+ month for trainees)
Prepare application
Gather company and employee documentation
Submit to DETE
Apply minimum 12 weeks before employment start
DETE assessment
Department reviews ICT permit application
Permit issued
DETE approves and grants permit
Application Forms
| Varies by member state | — |
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