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Most non-EEA nationals need an employment permit before they start work in Ireland. Citizens of the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK do not. Some immigration permissions already carry the right to work without a permit, for example Stamp 4.

Nine permit types exist, but two carry most applications: the Critical Skills Employment Permit for high-demand roles, and the General Employment Permit for other eligible occupations. Others include the Intra-Company Transfer, Dependant/Partner/Spouse, Contract for Services and Seasonal permits.

Salary floors are set by DETE. A General Employment Permit needs at least €36,605 a year. A Critical Skills Permit needs €40,904 with a relevant degree, or €68,911 without one. These are the current 2026 thresholds.

Yes. A recent graduate filling their first eligible role can qualify for a General Employment Permit at €34,009, and the graduate Critical Skills floor is €36,848. The concessions recognise early-career pay.

DETE publishes the receipt date it is currently working through each week. Critical Skills applications are typically decided within a couple of weeks of that date, while General Permits sit further back in the queue. Processing is not real-time: the dates move week to week.

No. The Critical Skills Employment Permit is exempt. A General Employment Permit usually requires a 28-day Labour Market Needs Test: the job must be advertised with the Department of Social Protection and in national and local media first, unless a specific exemption applies to the role.

Critical Skills and researcher permit holders can bring family immediately, and their spouse or partner can work in almost any job on a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Permit, with no fee and no labour-market test. General Permit holders can apply for family reunification, typically after 12 months.

Critical Skills Permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 after 21 months of employment, and General Permit holders after 57 months, both counted from the commencement of employment on the Revenue Employment Detail Summary. Apply through the ISD online portal up to 12 weeks before your IRP expires.

DETE application fees are €1,000 for a permit of up to 24 months (€500 for 6 months or less), and €500 for a Seasonal Permit. The Dependant/Partner/Spouse Permit is free. Entry-visa and IRP registration fees are charged separately by ISD.