Recent graduates
Recent graduates of Irish universities and colleges on the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)
What you get
- A check that your degree, award date and job meet the graduate rules
- A comparison with the Critical Skills route, which may suit you better
- LMNT management with the LMNT package
About this service
GEP Irish Graduate
From 1 March 2026, non-EEA graduates holding a relevant degree from an Irish third-level college, issued in the previous 12 months, can qualify for a General Employment Permit at a lower minimum salary of €34,009 instead of the standard €36,605. It's a valuable route for graduates on Stamp 1G whose first graduate job doesn't reach the standard threshold. We handle the full application, including the Labour Market Needs Test if one is needed. The graduate rate rewards employers who hire Irish-educated talent, but the 12-month window is counted from when your degree was issued, so check the date on your award documents. We plan the timing carefully so the lower threshold still applies when the application is made.
€1538
Fixed fee
5
Areas we cover
7
Documents to prepare
5
Simple steps
Who it's for
Who this is for
Whether you're moving, hiring, staying or starting over, this is the place to begin.
Employers
Employers hiring recent graduates of Irish colleges
At a glance
Eligibility
01
Irish degree
A relevant degree from an Irish third-level college, issued in the 12 months before the application
02
Salary
A job offer of at least €34,009 a year for a 39-hour week
03
Occupation
An occupation that isn't on the Ineligible List
04
Labour Market Needs Test
A Labour Market Needs Test, unless an exemption applies
05
Employer
The employer is registered with Revenue and trading, and at least 50% of its staff are EEA nationals
Our promise
What's included
GEP Irish Graduate
€1538
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 7 ready
Tap items as you go
You're fully prepared. Let's get you booked in.
5-step journey
How it works
- 1Step 1
We check your eligibility and recommend the best permit route.
- 2Step 2
If an LMNT is needed, we make sure it's compliant.
- 3Step 3
We prepare and submit the application.
- 4Step 4
We track it and respond to any queries.
- Step 5
Once approved, we guide you on changing your permission to Stamp 1.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,845 VAT included with LMNT management, or €1,538 without.
Government fee
€1,000 for up to 24 months, or €500 for 6 months or less. 90% is refunded if refused.
Processing time
DETE, October 2026: about 5 weeks for new GEP applications.
Plan ahead
ISD says extensions of Stamp 1G to allow a late permit application are not generally allowed.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
The GEP Irish graduate rate is a lower salary threshold for the General Employment Permit, introduced on 1 March 2026. If you hold a relevant degree from an Irish third-level college, issued in the 12 months before the application, the minimum salary is €34,009 a year instead of the standard €36,605. It's designed to help international students who graduate in Ireland move into their first graduate job. Many graduates are on the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G), which lets them work while they look for a permanent role, and they need an employment permit before their Stamp 1G expires. The graduate rate makes more entry-level roles eligible. Apart from the salary, the normal GEP rules apply, including the Labour Market Needs Test unless an exemption applies. Graduates in Critical Skills occupations may do better on the Critical Skills route, which has its own graduate rate of €36,848.
Yes, as long as your Stamp 1G permission is still valid. Once the permit is issued, you change to Stamp 1.
The standard GEP threshold of €36,605 applies instead, or the Critical Skills thresholds if your role qualifies.
Often, yes. If your role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List and pays at least €36,848 as a recent graduate, the Critical Skills permit needs no LMNT, lets family join straight away and leads to Stamp 4 after 21 months.
Usually yes. The Labour Market Needs Test applies to GEP applications unless an exemption applies, for example a Critical Skills occupation.
Ready when you are
Get started with GEP Irish Graduate
€1538 · €1,538 without LMNT · €1,845 with LMNT management
€1538
GEP Irish Graduate