Ireland Employment Permit - Eligibility, Processing Time

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General Work Permit

The Irish General Work Permit is an employment permit which allows a non-EU citizen to work legally in Ireland for an employer in a particular occupation. The permit is initially granted for two years. This employment permit is granted to applicants with job offer. Unlike the Critical Skills Employment Permit the General Employment Permit covers all occupations unless other specified. Click here to learn if you are eligible to work in Ireland, or view the FAQ section to see the processing time and more frequently asked questions.

Employer Details

To be eligible for an Ireland Work Permit, your job offer needs to be from an employer registered and trading in Ireland. At least 50% of the employees have to be EEA nationals, unless the company is a start-up. There is a requirement to have a minimum number of EEA nationals employed with the Irish entity. Exemptions may apply for start-ups.

Who Should Apply

Either the employee or the employer can apply for this Ireland work permit, and the application will need to include evidence that it has not been possible to find an EEA or Swiss national to fill the position. Visit Eligibility tab for more information.

Employment Proposal

To be eligible for General Employment Permit the applicant must have job offer. Detailed description of the proposed employment is required as well as needed qualifications.

Irish Work Permits Salary Requirement

Job positions where the remuneration is above €30,000 qualify for work permits. In exceptional circumstances, work permits may also be considered where the remuneration is less than 30,000 from eligible non–EEA graduates and from applicants with a fluency in a non-EEA language, to companies with formal support from the State enterprise development agencies.

As well as your Irish Work Permit we can arrange your Irish work visa. Visa First can help you organise all the documents you need to start working and living in Ireland.

Other Work/Employment Permits

Critical Skills Employment Permit/Ireland Green Card

Work/Employment Permit for Spouses/Dependants

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Work Permit Requirements Overview

EU nationals do not need a permit to work in Ireland. Nationals from the countries of the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland do not need employment permits to work in Ireland. However, nationals of Bulgaria and Romania will need a Work Permit unless they have been working in Ireland on a work permit for a continuous period of 12 months or more.

To be eligible for an Ireland Work Permit, you need a job offer from an employer which is registered and trading in Ireland. The position must have been advertised with the FÁS/EURES employment network for 2 weeks and additionally in local and national newspapers, for three days, to ensure that, in the first instance a national of the EEA or Switzerland, or in the second instance a national of Bulgaria or Romania, cannot be found to fill the vacancy. Evidence that this has been done must be included with the application.

It is only possible to obtain an Ireland Work Permit for certain occupations or salary levels:

Firstly, where the annual salary (excluding bonuses) on offer is €30,000 or more the Work Permit for Ireland can be considered for occupations other than those which are contrary to the public interest.
Secondly, Irish Work Permits will only be considered for a very limited number of occupations below an annual salary of €30,000.

Work permits will not be considered for any of the below job categories:

All clerical and administrative positions
All general operatives/labourers
All operator and production staff
In the category 'Sales Staff'
All retail sales vacancies, sales representatives, supervisory/ specialist sales
In the category 'Transport Staff':
All drivers (including HGV)
In the category Childcare Workers: Nursery/ Crèche Workers, Child Minder/ Nanny
In the category Hotel Tourism and Catering: All staff except chefs
In the category Craft Workers and Apprentice\Trainee Craft Workers: Bookbinder, Bricklayer, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter / Joiner, Carton Maker, Fitter - Construction Plant, Electrician, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Fitter, Tiler - Floor / Wall, Mechanic - Heavy Vehicles, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Metal Fabricator, Mechanic - Motor, Originator, Painter and Decorator, Plumber, Printer, Engineer - Refrigeration, Sheet Metal Worker, Tool Maker, Vehicle Body Repairer, Machinist - Wood, Plasterers and Welders.
All Work Riders (Horse Racing)
All Domestic Workers (including Carers in the Home and Childminders)

Book Ireland Work Permit

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To book your visa by phone
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a work permit for Ireland?

A work permit is an employment permit for Ireland which entitles a non-EU citizen to work legally in Ireland for an employer in a specific occupation. It is issued initially for two years and can be renewed for a further three years, at which stage the work permit can be renewed indefinitely.

How long does it take to organise?

The standard processing time for an Ireland Work Permit is 6-8 weeks, however our team has organised them in just 3-4 weeks.

What is required for the application?

To apply for an Ireland Work Permit you must prove that you cannot find a suitable candidate from the EU to fill this vacancy. This is done by advertising the role with DSP employment Services and in a national newspaper for at least three days. Visa First will do this on your behalf once we have the job specification and we will include this evidence in your application.

Is there a minimum salary requirement?

Yes. Generally the employee must be earning a basic salary of €30,000. In exceptional circumstances, work permits may also be considered where the remuneration is less than 30,000 from eligible non–EEA graduates and from applicants with a fluency in a non-EEA language, to companies with formal support from the State enterprise development agencies.

What skills/qualifications does the candidate need to have?

We must be able to demonstrate that he/she has the relevant skills, experience and/or qualifications needed to fill the position. This is generally done by showing references from previous employers or evidenced qualifications.

Does the employer need to be a registered Irish company trading in Ireland?

Yes.

If I’m granted a Work Permit can my spouse also legally work in Ireland?

Yes, your spouse can apply for a spousal work permit after you have held your work permit for 12 months. If your spouse is outside Ireland they may need to apply for an entry visa from your local embassy (depending on their nationality), once the work permit has been processed. Your spouse must also register in the Garda Registration Office in Burgh Quay, Dublin if you will be living in Dublin. If you will be living outside Dublin, then you and your spouse must register with the Garda Superintendent in that district.

What occupations are not eligible for the Irish Work Permit?

Work Permit applications will not be considered for the following occupations:

All clerical and administrative positions
All general operatives/labourers
All operator and production staff
In the category 'Sales Staff'
All retail sales vacancies, sales representatives, supervisory/ specialist sales
In the category Transport Staff: All drivers (excluding HGV)
In the category Childcare Workers: Nursery/ Crèche Workers, Child Minder/ Nanny
In the category Hotel Tourism and Catering: All staff except chefs
In the category Craft Workers and Apprentice/Trainee Craft Workers: Bookbinder, Bricklayer, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter / Joiner, Carton Maker, Fitter - Construction Plant, Electrician, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Fitter, Tiler - Floor / Wall, Mechanic - Heavy Vehicles, Instrumentation Craftsperson, Metal Fabricator, Mechanic - Motor, Originator, Painter and Decorator, Plumber, Printer, Engineer - Refrigeration, Sheet Metal Worker, Tool Maker, Vehicle Body Repairer, Machinist – Wood, Plasterers and Welders.

Can I apply for an Irish Working visa outside of my country of birth?

Yes, you can, as long as you do not reside in that country on a holiday visa.

Group Bookings for Ireland Work Permit

In order to facilitate members of corporate teams, handling travel arrangement on behalf of entire groups of people, we built our website with a thought for their specific needs such as group booking, online tracking of multiple applications and detailed purchase reports.

If you are a corporate visa organizer we highly recommend getting regitered to make use of those features.

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General Work Permit

Employer Details

Who Should Apply

Employment Proposal

Irish Work Permits Salary Requirement

Other Work/Employment Permits

Book Ireland Work Permit

To book your visa by phone Call 866 772 9245

Are you a corporate visa organizer?

Our 1-2-3 Process

Secure Online Registration

Application with the Embassy

Get Your Visa by Mail

Work Permit Requirements Overview

Work permits will not be considered for any of the below job categories:

Book Ireland Work Permit

To book your visa by phone Call 866 772 9245

Are you a corporate visa organizer?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a work permit for Ireland?

How long does it take to organise?

What is required for the application?

Is there a minimum salary requirement?

What skills/qualifications does the candidate need to have?

Does the employer need to be a registered Irish company trading in Ireland?

If I’m granted a Work Permit can my spouse also legally work in Ireland?

What occupations are not eligible for the Irish Work Permit?

Can I apply for an Irish Working visa outside of my country of birth?

Group Bookings for Ireland Work Permit

Get started for FREE

You are in Good Hands.

We organize more than 60k visas every year

Other Suitable Visas

First things first - Let's get your visa

To book your visa by phone
Call 866 772 9245

To book your visa by phone
Call 866 772 9245