Ireland Work Visa – Types, Eligibility & Application Guide

Of late, Ireland work visas are getting popular as the country is a hub for global companies like Facebook, Intel and JPMorgan.

Thanks to a strong job market, low business taxes and easy access to the rest of Europe, it has become a top choice for skilled professionals. In fact, in 2024 alone, over 13,000 work permits were issued to Indian nationals, which is a clear sign of growing opportunities.

If you want to move to Ireland for work, this blog will explain the main types of work visas.

Key Takeaways

• Ireland offers multiple work visa types for skilled professionals.
• A valid job offer and work permit are required before applying.
• Main permits include Critical Skills and General Employment Permit.
• Processing takes 8-13 weeks; costs range from €500 to €1,000.

Ireland Work Visa – Common Work Permits and Visas

If you are a non-EEA national and want to work in Ireland, there are different types of work permits available. The two most common ones are:

Critical Skills Employment Permit

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for highly skilled professionals who want to live and work in Ireland.

It is meant for jobs where there aren’t enough qualified workers in the country. Some examples include IT and communications (ICT), Nursing, Therapy roles, and Engineering.

Requirements:

• You must have a 2-year job offer from a company based in Ireland.
• The job should pay at least €38,000 per year.
• You need a relevant degree for the job.

If your job isn’t on the list of high-demand roles, you might still qualify if:

• You earn €64,000 or more per year.
• You have a degree or enough relevant experience.

Also, the employer must follow the 50:50 rule, meaning at least half of their staff must be EU citizens.

Why Choose This Permit?

• The employer doesn’t need to advertise the job in Ireland before hiring someone from another country.
• If you live and work in Ireland for two years on this visa, you can apply to stay and work in Ireland without needing a work permit anymore.

General Employment Permit

The General Employment Permit is a common work permit in Ireland for people from outside the EEA. It lets them live and work in Ireland in many different types of jobs.

Important points about this permit:

• More job options: It covers a wider range of jobs than most other Irish work permits.
• Job offer required: You must have a 12-month job offer for an approved role from a company based in Ireland.
• Minimum salary: The job must pay at least €34,000 per year.
• Labour Market Needs Test: Before hiring you, the employer must try to find someone in Ireland or the EU for the job first.
• 50:50 rule: The company must have at least half of its employees from the EU.

Other Types of Work Permits and Visas in Ireland

Here are some other work permits and visas available in Ireland:

1. Intra-Company Transfer Permit

This permit is for employees of a multinational company who are being moved from an overseas branch to the company’s office in Ireland. It is usually for senior staff, key workers or trainees.

2. Exchange Agreement Employment Permit

This permit lets you work in Ireland if your country has a work exchange agreement with Ireland.

3. Sport and Cultural Employment Permit

The Sport and Cultural Employment Permit lets people from outside the EEA move to Ireland to work in sports or the arts. You need to have the right skills or qualifications for the job to get this permit.

4. Reactivation Employment Permit

The Reactivation Employment Permit is for non-EU workers who had a valid work permit in Ireland but lost it due to reasons they couldn’t control, such as being treated unfairly at work. It gives them a chance to work legally again.

5. Contract for Services Employment Permit

This permit allows people from outside the EU to work in Ireland temporarily if their company has a contract with an Irish business.

6. Internship Employment Permit

This is for full-time students (from outside the EU) studying in areas related to Ireland’s high-demand jobs. It allows them to do internships in Ireland as part of their studies.

7. Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit

This allows the husband, wife, partner or dependent of someone with a Critical Skills Permit (or certain researchers) to work in Ireland.

Documents You Need to Apply for a Work Visa in Ireland

The exact documents you need can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, most applicants will need to submit the following:

• Valid passport: It should have at least two blank pages. The validity should be for at least 12 months after your planned arrival in Ireland.
• Passport-sized photos: You need two recent photos that follow Ireland’s photo rules.
• Proof of residence: This shows you legally live in the country you are applying from.
• Signed work contract: A copy of the job contract signed by both you and your employer.
• Job details: Your role, salary, job duties and how long the job will last (from your contract).
• Employer’s contact details: You need to give the employer’s name, job title, phone number and email address
• Bank statement: An official bank statement from the past 6 months, showing you have enough money to support yourself while living in Ireland.
• Immigration stamp: If you are already in Ireland, you need to include a copy of your current immigration stamp.
• Proof that the company is registered: The company must be officially registered. Send a document that shows the Employer Registered Number (ERN) as proof.
• Extra employer details: Information like the company name, type of business, registered address and what the company does.
• Proof of accommodation: This could be a lease agreement or a letter from your employer if they are providing a place to stay.
• Proof of qualifications: Degrees, certificates or documents showing your previous work experience.
• Health insurance: You must have private health insurance in Ireland. It should cover at least €25,000 for illness, accidents and hospital stays.

Steps to Apply for a Work Visa for Ireland

To live and work in Ireland, you usually need two things:

• A work permit – to legally work in Ireland
• A work visa or pre-clearance – to enter the country

However, visa requirements depend on your nationality.

Step 1: Get a Work Permit

Your employer has to send your work permit application online using the EPOS system. They need to do this at least 12 weeks before your job starts.

• Required documents: scanned documents, signatures and payment
• Fee: €500 – €1,000 depending on the permit type
• Processing time: around 13 weeks

Step 2: Apply for a Work Visa or Pre-clearance

If you are from a country that requires a visa, you will also need to apply for a work visa before travelling to Ireland.

• You can apply online through the AVATS portal
• Visa fee: €60 for a single entry and €100 for a multiple entry
• Processing time is usually around 8 weeks

Make sure you have the following documents ready:

• Your work permit
• A valid passport
• Passport-sized photos
• Your employment contract
• A recent bank statement
• Health insurance

If you are from a visa-exempt country, apply for pre-clearance instead, also via the AVATS portal.

Step 3: Travel to Ireland

Once your visa (or pre-clearance) and work permit are approved, you can travel to Ireland.

Step 4: Register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

After you arrive in Ireland, you need to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to get your Irish Residence Permit (IRP). This permit lets you live and work in Ireland legally.

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of Irish work visa depends on your job, qualifications and how long you plan to stay. Each visa has a different purpose, so it is important to know which one is right for you. Before applying, make sure to check the latest requirements to avoid any delays or issues later.

FAQs on Ireland Work Visas

Also Read

• What Are The Different Types Of Visas To Ireland
• How to Apply for an Ireland Tourist Visa
• The A to Z of applying for an Ireland Student Visa