Choosing an Irish employment permit

The State has nine types of employment permit, each covering particular employment arrangements. Their salary requirements, family reunification provisions and options for future residence differ.

Confirm the proposed permit type before gathering documents. The occupation, employer and employment arrangement determine which routes need to be considered, alongside the applicant’s circumstances.

An application under the wrong type can cause delays and additional costs. Check the relevant requirements early, particularly if the applicant’s current permission is approaching expiry.

Comparing the permit types

Use the questions below to identify the routes to examine. Each permit has further requirements, so one answer alone does not establish eligibility.

1. Does the role meet a Critical Skills route?

The Critical Skills Employment Permit has specific provisions for family reunification and progression to Stamp 4. These are relevant when comparing longer-term plans.

The listed-occupation route requires a role on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the relevant salary and qualification requirements. The higher-salary route also covers occupations outside that list, subject to the Department’s threshold and other criteria; ineligible occupations and employment contrary to the public interest are excluded.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment updates the list periodically. Check the current version, as an occupation included two years ago may have different conditions today.

The Department uses a standard occupational classification to assess the duties of the role. A title such as “Growth Engineer” does not, by itself, establish the occupation.

2. Is the occupation on the Ineligible List?

Check the current Ineligible List before preparing a General Employment Permit application. An occupation covered by the list cannot proceed under that route.

3. Is this a move within a corporate group?

The Intra-Company Transfer permit covers an overseas company sending an existing employee to an Irish entity in the same group. Conditions apply to the relationship between the companies, prior service and salary. Its residence provisions differ from those of Critical Skills, so review these if long-term residence in the State is part of the plan.

4. Is the person here to deliver a contract for an overseas employer?

The Contract for Services permit covers a foreign contractor providing services to an Irish entity while the employee remains employed abroad. The contract and employment arrangement must meet the conditions for this permit.

5. Is this the spouse or partner of a permit holder?

Check the family member’s residence permission first. Eligible spouses and partners of General, Critical Skills and Intra-Corporate Transferee permit holders, and Hosting Agreement researchers, who have been granted family reunification can work on Stamp 1G without a separate employment permit. The Dependant, Partner or Spouse permit is relevant only where the person meets its requirements and does not already hold permission allowing that employment.

6. The remaining types

Reactivation, Internship, Sport and Cultural, and Exchange Agreement permits each cover specific circumstances. Check whether any applies when comparing the available routes, including the General Employment Permit.

Other requirements to check

Review the following requirements for the proposed permit type. Several concern the employer and will need information from the business.

The salary threshold. Check the threshold for the permit and occupation, together with the Department’s remuneration criteria. Confirm how basic pay, bonuses, commission, health insurance and allowances are treated. The salary information in the contract, application and payslips must be consistent.

The 50:50 rule. Most permit types require a set proportion of the employer’s workforce to be EEA nationals, with defined exemptions. Confirm the employer’s position early. For example, a start-up with three non-EEA founders and no other staff needs to check whether an exemption applies.

The Labour Market Needs Test. Some permit types require this test. Where it applies, the advertising must meet the published requirements and fall within the permitted period before the application. Plan the advertising and application dates together.

A registered, trading employer. The employer must be registered as an employer with the Revenue Commissioners and able to demonstrate that the business is operating.

Before preparing the application

Confirm the occupation, salary and employer’s 50:50 position before preparing the supporting documents. These checks help establish which permit requirements the application must address.

Use the current occupation lists and thresholds on the Department’s website. The source links below provide the official requirements to check before applying.

Common questions

Can I apply under two types at once and take whichever comes through?

An application is made under one permit type. Check the requirements before applying, as choosing the wrong type can delay the application. Refund arrangements depend on the applicable fee rules.

My occupation is on the ineligible list. Is there any route?

The Ineligible List rules out the General Employment Permit for that occupation. Any other route depends on the role and the employer's circumstances. Check the current list, including its conditions, as it is revised periodically.

Who decides which permit type to apply under, me or my employer?

The employer usually leads because many requirements concern the business and the job. Both the employer and the applicant should understand why the proposed permit type is suitable and which conditions must be met.

Sources

1. Critical Skills Employment Permit — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
2. Attention eligible spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders — Immigration Service Delivery
3. Employment permit types — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
4. Critical Skills Occupations List — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
5. Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
6. Labour Market Needs Test — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

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