Plain-English reference
Quick definitions for Irish employment-permit, immigration and residency terms, with links to deeper guidance where useful.
The main fast-track permit for skilled roles Ireland wants to attract, either on the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) or any eligible role paying above the high-salary threshold. See the Permit Types guide for salary thresholds and full eligibility.
The broadest employment permit, covering most eligible occupations not on the Ineligible List, subject to a lower salary threshold and usually the Labour Market Needs Test. Details in the Permit Types guide.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's online portal where employers and applicants submit and track employment permit applications. Sometimes also referred to as EPOL. See the How to Apply guide for the application steps.
A requirement for most General Employment Permit applications: proving no suitable EEA candidate was available by advertising the role for at least 28 days and filing the application within 90 days of the advertisement starting. Not required for CSEP, or for GEP roles that qualify for an exemption. Full mechanics in the How to Apply guide.
The list of occupations Ireland has identified as in critical shortage. A role on this list qualifies for the Critical Skills Employment Permit at the lower salary threshold. Check your role on the Occupation Lists guide.
The government department that issues employment permits and runs EPOS. Distinct from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), which handles your immigration permission (IRP/stamp) separately. See where our data comes from for how DETE's published statistics feed this site.
The physical card issued by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) that proves you are legally registered to live in Ireland. It shows your stamp type and the conditions attached to it. Not the same document as your employment permit. See the IRP Stamps guide.
The immigration permission type printed on your IRP card, showing what you're allowed to do in Ireland (work, study, dependants only, etc). Different from, but usually linked to, your employment permit. Full breakdown in the IRP Stamps guide.
A stamp covering two different groups: graduates on the Third Level Graduate Scheme searching for work after finishing a qualifying degree, and spouses or de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders. Both let you work without needing your own employment permit. See the Students & Graduates guide and the IRP Stamps guide.
Open work permission: no employment permit required, you can work for any employer, in any role, or run a business. Employment permit holders typically reach it after continuous permit-based residence (CSEP holders sooner than GEP holders). Also the stamp that generally counts toward Irish citizenship. See the IRP Stamps guide and the Long-Term Pathway guide.
A unique identifier needed for work, tax, and public services in Ireland. You cannot legally start work without one, and you can only apply for it after you arrive in Ireland. Steps to get one in the After Approval guide.
A separate, short-term permission for non-EEA nationals doing specific work in Ireland that doesn't fit the standard employment permit categories, for example short academic secondments, locum work, or certain contract work under 90 days. It is administered by ISD, not DETE, and is a different process from applying for an employment permit.
Time spent legally in Ireland on immigration permissions that count toward the residence requirement for Irish citizenship by naturalisation. Not every stamp counts (student permission generally doesn't). See the Irish Citizenship guide and use the Citizenship Calculator to check your own dates.
These definitions are deliberately short. For step-by-step explanations, start with the guides.