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Irish work visa guides

How Irish work permits actually work, based on enterprise.gov.ie and irishimmigration.ie.

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Find the right path before you apply

New to Irish permits? Check the permit types first, then review the occupation list and application steps for your role.

Permit typesOccupation lists

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Search by topic, permit stage or immigration status.

1

Employment Permit Types

All 9 permit types side by side. Which one you qualify for depends on your job, salary, and employer.

2

How to Apply

The EPOL application process, what documents you need, what your employer needs to do, and what it costs.

3

After Approval

You got the permit. Now what? Entry visas, IRP registration, getting your PPS number, and what to do if you want to change jobs.

4

Long-Term Pathway

Renewals, Stamp 4, and eventually citizenship. How long each step takes and what you need at each stage.

5

Occupation Lists

Check if your role is on the Critical Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or the Ineligible Occupations List.

6

IRP Stamps

What a stamp is, how it differs from your employment permit, and what Stamp 1, 1G, 2, and 4 each let you do.

7

Students & Graduates

Stamp 2 work hour limits and the Third Level Graduate Scheme: how to convert student status into an employment permit without leaving Ireland.

8

Irish Citizenship

How naturalisation works for employment permit holders: the residency-based pathway via Stamp 4, and which stamps actually count.

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Salary Checker Tool

Type in your salary. It tells you which permits you qualify for based on the current thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of employment permits are available in Ireland?
Ireland offers 9 types of employment permits including the Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit, Intra-Company Transfer, Contract for Services, Reactivation, Internship, Sport and Cultural, Exchange Agreement, and Dependant/Partner/Spouse permits. The Critical Skills and General permits are the most common for international job seekers.
What is the minimum salary for a work permit in Ireland in 2026?
From March 2026, the minimum salary for a General Employment Permit is 36,605 euros per year. For a Critical Skills Employment Permit, the minimum is 40,904 euros for roles on the Critical Skills Occupation List, or 68,911 euros for all other eligible roles.
How long does it take to get a work permit in Ireland?
As of mid-2026, Critical Skills Employment Permits are processed within 3 to 5 weeks (1 to 2 weeks for Trusted Partner employers). General Employment Permits take roughly 8 to 10 weeks. The full timeline from job offer to starting work is typically 4 to 6 months.
Can my spouse work in Ireland on my work permit?
If you hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your spouse or de facto partner can apply for Stamp 1G, which allows them to work in Ireland without their own employment permit. General Employment Permit holder spouses do not automatically receive work rights and may need to apply for their own permit.
How do I get permanent residency in Ireland with a work permit?
Critical Skills permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 (permanent residency equivalent) after 2 years. General Employment Permit holders can apply after 5 years of continuous employment. Stamp 4 allows you to work without a permit and is renewable indefinitely. After 5 years of residence, you can apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.
What is the Critical Skills Occupation List?
The Critical Skills Occupation List is maintained by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It includes occupations in high demand such as software developers, data scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, and financial analysts. Jobs on this list qualify for the faster Critical Skills Employment Permit with its superior benefits.

Information is based on official Irish government sources. Salary thresholds, fees, and processing times are subject to change. Always verify with official sources.