Work Permit
Applications

In Ireland, a work permit is officially called an employment permit. It's issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and allows a non-EEA national to work for a specific employer in a specific job. Citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK don't need one, and some non-EEA nationals don't either, because their immigration stamp already allows them to work. There are nine main types of employment permit, governed by the Employment Permits Acts 2003 to 2024. The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for highly skilled roles in short supply. The General Employment Permit covers most other eligible jobs. Other permits cover intra-company transfers, contractors, internships, sport and culture, exchange programmes, dependants of Critical Skills holders and people reactivating their status, with a seasonal permit being piloted in horticulture. Applications are made online through Employment Permits Online, usually at least 12 weeks before the start date. Once a permit is issued, visa-required nationals apply for an employment visa, and everyone staying more than 90 days registers their permission on Stamp 1. Types of employment permit and minimum pay from 1 March 2026: • Critical Skills (highly skilled roles in short supply): €40,904 with a relevant degree, or €68,911 for any eligible role • General (most other eligible jobs): €36,605, with lower rates for recent Irish graduates and some care and agri-food roles • Intra-Company Transfer (staff moving within a multinational group): €49,523 (€36,605 for trainees) • Contract for Services (staff of a foreign contractor serving an Irish client): €49,523 • Internship (students at universities outside Ireland): National Minimum Wage • Sport and Cultural (sport, culture and entertainment roles): National Minimum Wage • Exchange Agreement (recognised exchange programmes): National Minimum Wage • Dependant/Partner/Spouse (dependants of Critical Skills holders and researchers): National Minimum Wage • Reactivation (former permit holders who lost their status): National Minimum Wage • Seasonal, pilot (seasonal horticulture work): €30,000 a year under the 2025 pilot

Either can apply for most permits. Intra-Company Transfer applications are made by the Irish company. We act for whichever party is applying.

Only with valid permission to be in Ireland. Visa-required nationals must apply for an employment visa first, and anyone staying more than 90 days must register for an IRP.

You can ask DETE to review the decision within 28 days of the refusal letter. We can prepare the review for you through our Appeal or Review Application service.

It depends on the type. Most first permits are granted for up to 2 years, and many can be renewed. Critical Skills holders move to Stamp 4 after 21 months instead of renewing.