Ireland General Employment Permit

Non-EEA nationals with an offer of eligible employment in Ireland who meet the job’s pay and skills requirements.

• Eligible job offer

  Have a job offer from an employer trading in Ireland; the job must not be on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Registered employer

  The employer must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, if applicable, the Companies Registration Office or Registry of Friendly Societies, and must be trading in Ireland.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Direct employment

  An employer–employee relationship must exist: the worker must be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Employer workforce

  At least 50% of the firm’s employees must be EEA nationals when the application is made, unless one of the stated exceptions applies.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Skills for the job

  The prospective employee must possess the qualifications, skills or experience required for the employment; the page gives no general degree or years-of-experience threshold.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Minimum pay

  Minimum annual remuneration is generally €36,605. It is €32,691, with a minimum hourly rate of €16.12, for the specified horticulture worker, meat processor operative, health care assistant and home support worker roles; it is €34,009 where the applicant has a relevant degree issued by an Irish third-level college in the previous 12 months.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Vacancy advertising

  A Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases, unless a stated exception applies. Where required, the employer must advertise the vacancy on Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES and on an additional online platform, each for at least 28 continuous days, and apply within 90 days of the first advertisement, or 120 days if the employer is a third-level institution.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Signed contract

  Submit a contract of employment signed by both the employer and employee with the permit application.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Valid passport

  For a new employment permit, the employee’s passport must be valid for at least a further six months.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• Apply before the job starts

  The employment permit application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.

  enterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource

• New permit for six months or lessenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€500 per person
• New permit for more than six months and up to 24 monthsenterprise.gov.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€1,000 per person
• Single-entry visa, if a visa is required and no fee exemption appliesirishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€60 per person
• Multiple-entry visa, if selected and no fee exemption appliesirishimmigration.ie · checked 5 days agoSource€100 per person

1. Get ready

   • Secure an eligible job offer

     Agree a job with an Irish employer and check that the occupation is not on the ineligible list.

     You’ll need: Job offer, Description of the proposed employment

   • Check the employer and pay

     Check the employer’s registration, trading status and workforce position, and confirm that the proposed remuneration meets the applicable threshold.

     You’ll need: Employer registration details, Pay and working-hours details

   • Advertise the vacancy if required

     Unless an exception applies, the employer must run the two required vacancy advertisements for at least 28 continuous days before applying.

     You’ll need: Employment Services/EURES advertisement reference, Additional online advertisement

   • Gather the permit documents

     Prepare the signed employment contract, passport copy, photograph and employment details listed in the official checklist.

     You’ll need: Contract signed by both parties, Passport copy, Passport-type photograph, Employment details

2. Apply

   • Apply for the employment permit

     The worker or prospective employer can apply through Employment Permits Online; the application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.

     You’ll need: Completed permit application, Supporting documents, Applicable fee

3. Visa

   • Apply for a visa if required

     After the permit is granted, apply for an employment visa if your nationality requires one.

     You’ll need: Employment permit, Visa application and supporting documents

4. Travel

   • Bring your documents to the border

     When you arrive

     Have your supporting documents, including the original employment permit, available for inspection by an immigration officer.

     You’ll need: Passport, Original employment permit, Entry visa, if required, Supporting documents

5. Settle in

   • Register your immigration permission

     Register after arrival because an employment permit is not itself permission to reside in Ireland.

     You’ll need: Passport, Employment permit

After five years, a holder may apply for long-term residency; meeting the relevant conditions is not automatic.

• Preclearance and entry visas fees - Immigration Service Deliveryirishimmigration.ieOfficial
• enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permi…Official
• Labour Market Needs Test - DETE enterprise.gov.ieOfficial
• Application forms - DETEenterprise.gov.ieOfficial
• General Employment Permit Checklistenterprise.gov.ieOfficial
• General Employment Permit - DETEenterprise.gov.ieOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.