The permits most people need
Critical Skills Employment Permit
For highly skilled roles in short supply, such as IT, engineering and healthcare. Salary from €40,904 for listed roles. No labour market test; family can apply to join you straight away; you can apply for Stamp 4 from 21 months.
Read more →General Employment Permit
For most other jobs, unless the occupation is on the Ineligible List. Salary generally from €36,605. Usually needs a Labour Market Needs Test.
Read more →For companies moving or contracting staff
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
For multinationals moving senior managers, key staff and trainees from an overseas office to the Irish branch. Salary from €49,523 (€36,605 for trainees).
Read more →Contract for Services Employment Permit
For an overseas contractor bringing its own staff to deliver a contract with an Irish client. Salary from €49,523.
Read more →Other permits
Reactivation Employment Permit. For people who came to Ireland on an employment permit but lost their permission to work through no fault of their own, or after being mistreated or exploited by an employer. It lets them return to legal employment.
Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit. Lets eligible family members of certain permit holders, such as Critical Skills permit holders and researchers on a hosting agreement, work in Ireland.
Internship Employment Permit. For full-time students at third-level institutions outside Ireland, to gain work experience in their field.
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit. For people with skills in sport, culture or entertainment.
Exchange Agreement Employment Permit. For people employed under agreements to which Ireland is a party.
Renewals and changes
- Renewing a permit. General Employment and Intra-Company Transfer permits can be renewed in the four months before they expire. After five years with the same employer, a General Employment Permit renewal can be issued with no end date and no fee.
- Changing employer. General Employment and Critical Skills permit holders can usually change employer after nine months, within the same type of occupation. The new job can’t start until the permit has been reissued.
- Stamp 4. Critical Skills permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 from 21 months, three months before the two-year mark. General Employment Permit holders can usually apply after five years.
Not sure which applies?
Tell us the job title, the salary and your current situation in Ireland, if any. We’ll tell you which permit fits, what it will need, and whether there’s a better route.