by An Ireland work permit, officially called an employment permit, lets a non-EEA national work for an Irish employer. The two main types are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit. This guide compares them, lists the current salary thresholds and fees, and shows the steps, using the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) website.
Last verified: 12 October 2026. Looking at other countries too? See our guides to UK work visas without a job offer and the Luxembourg work visa.
Ireland work permit types compared
| Feature | Critical Skills Employment Permit | General Employment Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum salary (from 1 March 2026) | €40,904 for listed critical skills roles needing a degree, or €68,911 for most other roles | €36,605 in general |
| Labour Market Needs Test | Not required | Required in most cases |
| Fee | €1,000 | €500 (up to 6 months) or €1,000 (6 to 24 months) |
| Job offer | At least 2 years | Needed |
| Spouse or partner can work | Yes, through a free Dependant/Partner/Spouse permit | No, they need their own permit |
| Route to long stay | Stamp 4 after the permit, if conditions met | Renewals possible |
Both permits can be applied for by either the employer or the employee. Also, 90% of the fee is refunded if the application fails.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
This permit targets highly skilled workers, such as ICT professionals and engineers, and aims to encourage permanent residence. The salary thresholds, excluding bonuses, are:
- €40,904 for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List where a relevant degree or higher is needed
- €36,848 for those occupations if you got your qualification within the 12 months before applying
- €68,911 for most other occupations, except those on the Ineligible List
The job offer must be for at least 2 years. In addition, DETE expects you to stay with your first employer for at least 9 months.
From Critical Skills permit to Stamp 4
When your permit and registration card expire, you can apply directly to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4, if you complied with your conditions and are of good character. After 60 months of residence permission, you can then apply for long-term residence.
General Employment Permit
This permit covers a wider range of jobs, as long as the occupation is not on the Ineligible List. The minimum salary is generally €36,605. However, lower thresholds apply in some cases:
- €32,691 (and at least €16.12 an hour) for horticulture workers, meat processor operatives, healthcare assistants and home support workers
- €34,009 if you hold a relevant Irish third-level degree issued in the previous 12 months
Usually, the employer must first run a Labour Market Needs Test by advertising the job. The permit can be granted for up to 24 months at first, and then extended for up to 3 more years.
Worked example: which Ireland work permit fits?
Take a software engineer from India with a degree and a job offer of €45,000. Because ICT professionals are named as eligible for Critical Skills permits and the salary is above €40,904, a Critical Skills permit is likely the better route. So there is no Labour Market Needs Test, and her spouse can apply for a free permit to work.
Now take a worker from Nigeria offered €37,000 in an occupation that is eligible for a General permit. That salary meets the €36,605 General permit threshold, but the employer would usually need a Labour Market Needs Test first. Also, check that the role is not limited by a filled quota.
Step-by-step: applying for an Ireland work permit
- Secure a job offer from an employer registered with Revenue and trading in Ireland.
- Check the salary against the threshold for your permit type.
- For a General permit, make sure the employer has completed the Labour Market Needs Test.
- Apply through Employment Permits Online at least 12 weeks before your start date.
- Reply to any request for information within 28 days.
- After approval, apply for your visa, if needed, and register your immigration permission on arrival.
Quotas to watch in 2026
Some General permit roles have quotas. For example, DETE reported the hospitality manager quota filled in April 2026 and the meat processing operative quota nearly filled in August 2026. Therefore, check the latest updates page before applying for these roles.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an Ireland work permit without a job offer?
No. Both the Critical Skills and General permits require a job offer from an Irish employer.
How long does an Ireland work permit take?
DETE processes applications in date order by employer type and advises applying at least 12 weeks before the start date.
Can my spouse work in Ireland?
Yes, if you hold a Critical Skills permit, through a free Dependant/Partner/Spouse permit. General permit holders’ partners need their own permit.
Official sources
- Critical Skills Employment Permit, DETE
- General Employment Permit, DETE
- Roadmap for employment permit salary thresholds, 2 December 2025
- Latest employment permit updates, DETE
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the official pages before applying.
