Ireland employment permits (Critical Skills and General)

What it is

Ireland's employment permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. A permit lets you work for a named employer in a named role. You then apply separately for an entry visa if your nationality needs one, and register with immigration after you arrive. All figures below are as stated on enterprise.gov.ie in October 2026.

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

This is the main route for software engineers. ICT professionals are among the occupations it is designed for, and the eligible jobs are set out in the Critical Skills Occupations List.

• Salary: at least EUR 40,904 a year for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, with a relevant degree or higher. If you got your qualification in the 12 months before applying, the minimum is EUR 36,848. Any occupation paying over EUR 68,911 can qualify, unless it is on the Ineligible List.
• Job offer: at least 2 years long. You are expected to stay with the first employer for at least 9 months.
• No labour market needs test, because the skills are in short supply.
• Family: you can apply for immediate family reunification, and spouses and partners can then seek work.
• Fee: EUR 1,000, with 90% refunded if refused.
• Employer rule: permits are generally not granted unless at least 50% of the firm's employees are EEA nationals, with an exception for certain start-ups.

Stamp 4: when your CSEP and immigration registration are due to expire, you apply directly to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4 rather than renewing the permit. Stamp 4 lets you live and work in Ireland without an employment permit. The page says it is granted for 2 years and is renewable.

General Employment Permit (GEP)

For jobs not on the critical skills list. Minimum pay is generally EUR 36,605. A labour market needs test applies in most cases: the employer must advertise the job with the Department of Social Protection's employment services and on EURES, plus one other online platform. The fee is EUR 1,000 for a permit of 6 to 24 months.

How to use it

1. Check your target job title against the Critical Skills Occupations List.
2. Check that the salary on your offer meets the threshold, counting only basic salary and qualifying health insurance (not bonuses).
3. Your employer or you can apply on Employment Permits Online, at least 12 weeks before the start date.

Common mistakes and scams

• Assuming every tech job is "critical skills". Check the list.
• An employer deducting permit costs from your pay. The page says the law forbids this when the employer is the applicant.
• Never pay anyone for a job offer or a permit.

Where to go next on Sefism

• Plan the move step by step with the Tech jobs abroad roadmap and keep its cheat sheet open while you apply.
• Read How to get a tech job in Europe from Pakistan or India.
• Search Irish listings on EURES.