Ireland has become one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations for skilled workers, with major technology, pharmaceutical, and financial services companies operating from Dublin and other Irish cities. For non-EEA nationals, working in Ireland legally requires an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), and in most cases a separate Ireland work visa to enter the country. This guide covers every employment permit type, the updated 2026 salary thresholds that came into effect on 1 March 2026, required documents, the step-by-step application process, processing times, and the pathway from a work permit to long-term residency.
Ireland Work Visa: Understanding the Two-Step Process
Working legally in Ireland as a non-EEA national involves two separate but linked applications:
- Employment Permit: Issued by DETE (or in some cases by the applicant) through the EPOS online portal. This authorises you to work for a specific employer in Ireland. It must be obtained before the work visa in most cases.
- Work Visa (D Visa): A long-stay D Visa applied for through the AVATS portal. This authorises you to enter and remain in Ireland to take up the employment covered by your permit. Nationals of visa-exempt countries apply for pre-clearance instead.
The employment permit and the work visa are not the same document. You cannot enter Ireland to work on a tourist visa while awaiting a permit. The correct sequence is: secure a job offer, apply for the employment permit, receive the permit, then apply for the work visa.
Ireland Work Visa: Employment Permit Types
Ireland offers several employment permit types through the DETE employment permits system. The two primary types used by most skilled workers are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit.
| Permit Type | Min Salary (from 1 Mar 2026) | Job Offer Duration | Labour Market Test | Path to Stamp 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) | EUR 40,904 (with degree); EUR 68,911 (without) | 2 years | Not required | 21 months |
| General Employment Permit (GEP) | EUR 36,605 (standard); EUR 32,691 (healthcare/agri) | 12 months | Required | 5 years |
| Intra-Company Transfer Permit (ICT) | EUR 49,523 | Up to 5 years | Not required | 5 years |
| Reactivation Employment Permit | National Minimum Wage (EUR 14.15/hr) | 12 months | Not required | 5 years |
| Contract for Services Permit | EUR 36,605 | Duration of contract | Not required | 5 years |
| Sport and Cultural Permit | EUR 36,605 | Up to 2 years | Not required | 5 years |
| Internship Employment Permit | National Minimum Wage | Up to 12 months | Not required | N/A – students only |
| Dependent/Partner/Spouse Permit | National Minimum Wage | Linked to CSEP holder | Not required | 5 years |
2026 Salary Thresholds: What Has Changed
On 1 March 2026, Ireland implemented the first phase of its roadmap for increased employment permit salary thresholds. These are the most significant increases since 2020. Applications submitted on or after 1 March 2026 — both new applications and renewals — must meet the new thresholds.
| Permit Type | Old Threshold | New Threshold (from 1 Mar 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit (with degree) | EUR 38,000 | EUR 40,904 | +7.66% |
| Critical Skills Employment Permit (without degree) | EUR 64,000 | EUR 68,911 | +7.67% |
| General Employment Permit (standard) | EUR 34,000 | EUR 36,605 | +7.66% |
| Intra-Company Transfer Permit | EUR 46,000 | EUR 49,523 | +7.66% |
| Healthcare assistants, home carers, agri-food | EUR 30,000 | EUR 32,691 | +9.0% |
Further increases are planned annually through 2030 under the DETE roadmap. Employers with existing permit holders approaching renewal dates should budget for continued threshold increases. The salary thresholds apply to total remuneration — basic salary must at least meet the National Minimum Wage, with additional components (bonuses, allowances) able to contribute toward the minimum annual remuneration threshold.
Critical Skills Employment Permit: Detail
The Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) is the premium tier of Irish work permits, designed for high-demand roles that cannot be filled from within Ireland or the EU. It is the most attractive permit for skilled workers for several reasons:
- No Labour Market Needs Test required — the employer does not need to advertise the role to EU/EEA candidates first
- Stamp 4 (Long-Term Residency) is available after just 21 months of employment under this permit
- The holder’s spouse or civil partner can obtain a Stamp 1G, giving them unrestricted access to the Irish labour market without needing their own employment permit
- Eligible roles are those on the Critical Skills Occupation List, which includes most ICT roles, engineering, healthcare (nursing, therapy), and finance roles
From 1 March 2026, the minimum salary for a CSEP with a relevant degree is EUR 40,904 per year. For roles where the applicant does not hold a relevant degree but has equivalent experience, the threshold is EUR 68,911. These thresholds apply at both the initial application and renewal stages.
General Employment Permit: Detail
The General Employment Permit (GEP) covers a broader range of occupations than the CSEP but comes with more conditions. Key requirements from 1 March 2026:
- Minimum annual salary of EUR 36,605 for most roles (EUR 32,691 for healthcare assistants, home carers, meat processors, and horticultural workers)
- A 12-month job offer from an Irish employer
- The employer must complete a Labour Market Needs Test — advertising the role to EU/EEA candidates for at least two weeks before offering it to a non-EEA national
- The 50:50 rule: at least 50% of the employer’s workforce must be EEA nationals (exceptions apply for startups)
The GEP does not grant the accelerated Stamp 4 pathway available to CSEP holders. After five years of continuous employment under a GEP and associated renewals, the holder can apply for Long-Term Residency. Recent graduates from Irish third-level institutions (Level 8 or above, within the previous 12 months) are eligible for lower starting salary thresholds under both permit types, reflecting their early career stage.
Required Documents for an Ireland Work Visa Application
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid employment permit | Issued by DETE via EPOS portal; must be obtained before work visa |
| Valid passport | At least 12 months validity beyond planned arrival; 2 blank pages |
| Two passport photographs | Recent (within 6 months), white background |
| Signed employment contract | Confirming role, salary, employer details matching permit |
| Completed AVATS application summary | Printed and signed after submission on the visa portal |
| Bank statements (6 months) | Showing sufficient funds to support yourself in Ireland initially |
| Proof of qualifications | Degree certificates or transcripts relevant to the role |
| Proof of accommodation | Employer letter or lease agreement for accommodation in Ireland |
| Private health insurance | Minimum cover EUR 25,000; valid for arrival in Ireland |
| Proof of employer registration | Company documents showing Employer Registered Number (ERN) |
| Biometric data | Required for certain nationalities; instructions given after AVATS submission |
| Certified translations | Any document not in English must be certified and translated |
How to Apply for an Ireland Work Visa: Step by Step
Step 1: Secure a Job Offer and Employment Permit
Your Irish employer must apply for your employment permit through the EPOS (Employment Permits Online System) portal operated by DETE. The employer should submit the permit application at least 12 weeks before your intended start date. Processing fees range from EUR 500 to EUR 1,000 depending on permit type and duration. Both employer and employee can track the application through the EPOS portal. The full list of eligible occupations and current criteria is available on the DETE employment permits page.
Step 2: Apply for the Work Visa
Once the employment permit has been approved, apply for your D Work Visa through the AVATS portal. Nationals of visa-exempt countries apply for pre-clearance through the same portal instead of a full visa. The work visa fee is EUR 60 for a single entry or EUR 100 for multiple entry. Processing typically takes 8 weeks.
Step 3: Submit Documents
Submit your passport, printed and signed AVATS application summary, and all supporting documents to the Irish Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Centre in your country of residence. The AVATS summary form will indicate the correct submission address. Some nationalities provide biometric data at this stage.
Step 4: Travel to Ireland
Once both your employment permit and work visa are approved, you can travel to Ireland. Present both documents at the port of entry. You will receive a Stamp 1 or Stamp 1G (for CSEP holders’ dependants) in your passport.
Step 5: Register for Your IRP Card
Within 90 days of arrival, register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) — at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin, or at your local Garda station if outside Dublin. Pay the EUR 300 IRP registration fee. You will receive a temporary registration letter while your IRP card is produced; the card arrives by post within 10 to 15 working days.
Ireland Work Visa Processing Times
Employment permit processing through DETE currently takes around 8 to 13 weeks depending on permit type and application volume. CSEP applications have historically been processed faster than GEP applications due to the lower volume of applications.
Work visa processing through the Embassy or VAC takes an additional 6 to 8 weeks. In total, from securing a job offer to being ready to travel, applicants should budget 4 to 6 months for the full process.
For those planning a long-term future in Ireland, the work permit is the starting point for a pathway that leads to permanent residency. See our Ireland permanent residency guide for a full breakdown of timelines from work permit to Stamp 4.
Work Rights and Conditions on an Irish Employment Permit
Key conditions applying to employment permit holders in Ireland:
- You may only work for the employer named on your employment permit (except for CSEP holders after obtaining Stamp 4)
- Changing employer during the permit period requires a new employment permit application in most cases
- Working outside the conditions of your permit — including working for a different employer or in a different role — is a serious immigration breach and can affect future permit and residency applications
- After two years on a CSEP, you receive Stamp 4 and can change employers freely without a new permit
- GEP holders can apply for a new GEP with a different employer after 12 months if circumstances change
From Work Permit to Permanent Residency
Ireland’s employment permit system is designed with a clear pathway to long-term residency. CSEP holders can apply for Stamp 4 after 21 months; GEP and most other permit holders can apply after five years of continuous qualifying employment. Once Stamp 4 is obtained, you can work freely without an employment permit, change jobs without restriction, and begin counting time toward Irish citizenship. For the full timeline and process, see our Ireland permanent residency guide.
Ireland Work Visa Fees
The following table summarises the current fees as of 2026. Always confirm the most recent fee amounts on the official website before applying, as fees are subject to change.
| Fee Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment permit (CSEP – 2 year) | EUR 1,000 | Paid by employer via EPOS; non-refundable |
| Employment permit (GEP – 2 year) | EUR 1,000 | Paid by employer via EPOS; non-refundable |
| Employment permit (GEP – 1 year) | EUR 500 | Paid by employer via EPOS; non-refundable |
| D Work Visa – single entry | EUR 60 | Paid by applicant via Embassy/VAC; non-refundable |
| D Work Visa – multiple entry | EUR 100 | Paid by applicant via Embassy/VAC; non-refundable |
| IRP registration (on arrival) | EUR 300 | Paid at immigration registration appointment in Ireland |
| VAC service charge | Varies | Additional charge where application submitted via Visa Application Centre |
Frequently Asked Questions: Ireland Work Visa
What are the minimum salary thresholds for Ireland work permits in 2026?
As of 1 March 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Critical Skills Employment Permit with a relevant degree is EUR 40,904, and EUR 68,911 without a relevant degree. The General Employment Permit minimum is EUR 36,605 for standard roles and EUR 32,691 for healthcare assistants, home carers, and agri-food workers. These thresholds apply to both new applications and renewals.
Do I need a job offer before applying for an Ireland work visa?
Yes. Ireland’s employment permit system is employer-led. You must have a firm job offer from an Irish employer, and the employer must apply for your employment permit before you can apply for a work visa. You cannot apply speculatively or without a specific offer.
What is the difference between a Critical Skills Employment Permit and a General Employment Permit?
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for high-demand roles on the CSEP Occupation List, pays at least EUR 40,904, requires no Labour Market Needs Test, and gives the holder a path to Stamp 4 after just 21 months. The General Employment Permit covers a broader range of roles at a lower salary floor (EUR 36,605) but requires a Labour Market Needs Test and takes five years to reach Stamp 4.
Can my spouse work in Ireland if I have a work permit?
If you hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your spouse or civil partner can apply for a Stamp 1G visa, which grants them unrestricted access to the Irish labour market without needing their own employment permit. For holders of other permit types, a dependent’s right to work depends on their own immigration permission and the specific permit type.
How long does it take to process an Ireland employment permit?
DETE employment permit processing currently takes 8 to 13 weeks. CSEP applications are typically at the faster end of this range. You should factor in an additional 6 to 8 weeks for the work visa application, making the total timeline from job offer to travel approximately 4 to 6 months.
Can I change employers once I am in Ireland on a work permit?
Generally, your employment permit ties you to the specific employer named on it. Changing employers before Stamp 4 requires a new permit application in most cases. CSEP holders who receive Stamp 4 after 21 months can change employers freely. GEP holders can apply for a new GEP after 12 months if needed, but the process restarts the permit clock.
What happens to my work permit if I am made redundant?
If you lose your job in Ireland while on an employment permit, you have a short grace period (typically up to 30 days) to find alternative employment or make arrangements to leave Ireland. You should contact the ISD promptly. The Reactivation Employment Permit exists specifically for non-EEA workers who held a valid permit but lost employment through no fault of their own, allowing them to legally re-enter the workforce.
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