Irish Work Visas
As Ireland has high standards of living, it attracts many professionals from abroad. If you are an EU/EEA national, you have an automatic right to work there. If, however, you are a citizen of a non-EEA country, you have to apply for a work visa in order to be able to undertake employment in Ireland.
Call us today on +353-85-115-3430 to receive professional assistance with applying for an Irish Work Visa.
What is the Irish Work Visa?
The Irish Work Visa, more accurately referred to as an Employment Permit, is a legal authorization that allows non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals to work in Ireland either temporarily or permanently, depending on the type of permit granted. These permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and are a key pathway for skilled professionals, graduates, and essential workers to legally take up employment in Ireland.
Can I come to Ireland to work?
Yes, if you are a non-EEA national with a job offer from an Irish employer, you may be eligible to apply for an Employment Permit. However, certain conditions must be met, including:
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The job offer must meet the minimum salary threshold applicable to the type of permit.
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The employer must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and comply with Irish employment laws.
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The job must not be on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits unless an exemption applies.
Holders of Employment Permits can apply for a visa (if required) and subsequently enter Ireland legally to work.
What Types of Employment Permits Are There in Ireland?
The two primary employment permits issued in Ireland are
This permit is designed for highly skilled non-EEA nationals who are filling roles where there is a recognised shortage of talent in Ireland. These occupations are listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List and are considered essential to the Irish economy.
One of the key advantages of this permit is its fast-track pathway to long-term residency—holders become eligible to apply for Stamp 4 (residency without employment restrictions) after just 2 years of employment.
This permit applies to a broader range of occupations and is suitable for most foreign nationals who have secured a job offer in Ireland. Unlike the Critical Skills permit, it is not restricted to a specific list of professions. However, it requires the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT)—a process that ensures no suitable EEA candidates are available for the position.
Applicants may become eligible for long-term residency after 5 years on this permit.
Regardless of the permit type, a valid job offer from an Irish employer is mandatory before you apply.
Recent Update (Effective 25 June 2024)
Holders of both General and Critical Skills Employment Permits can now change employers after 9 months of holding the permit, offering more flexibility and mobility in the Irish job market.
In addition to these permits, depending on your skills and field of expertise you might be able to acquire one of the following employment permits to Ireland:
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Contract for Services Employment Permit
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Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
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Reactivation Employment Permit
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Sport & Cultural Employment Permit
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Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
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Exchange Agreement Employment Permit.
Before you can apply for an Employment Visa to Ireland you need to obtain your employment permit. If you are not sure which employment permit is the right one for you, get in touch with our team and they will help you determine it.
How to apply for an Irish Work Visa?
To apply for an Irish Work Visa, you have to complete and submit an application form using the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). Once you do that, your application will be placed in a processing queue.
An immigration official will then review the skills and qualifications you mentioned in the application form and will assess your eligibility for your chosen employment permit. If they might ask you to submit more information, you will have 28 days to provide the requested evidence.
Once the immigration official reviews your application and evidence you included, your application will be either accepted or refused. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be given reasons for the decision and you can appeal it. It is advisable to consult an immigration lawyer or a member of our highly-trained immigration experts before submitting an appeal.
How much do Irish Work Visas cost?
How much you will have to pay for an Irish Work Visa depends on which employment permit you have. Usually, the total cost of applying for an Irish Work Visa covers a fee for the employment permit and a fee for the actual Employment Visa. The price of an Irish Work Visa also depends on how long you intend to stay in Ireland.
The fees you might have to pay are:
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€1,000 for a General, Critical Skills, Intra-Company Transfer, Contract for Services, Reactivation, Sport and Cultural and Internship Permits if you want to spend up to 24 months in Ireland
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€500 for the permits mentioned above if you want to spend up to 6 months in Ireland
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€1,500 to renew your employment permit from 6 up to 36 months.
Additionally, you will have to pay the following fees for the visa to Ireland:
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€60 for a single-entry visa to Ireland
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€100 for a multiple-entry visa to Ireland.
If you want to apply for the Exchange Agreement Permit coming to Ireland to work under an international agreement for up to 2 years, you will not have to pay a fee for the permit.
How can SKT CONSULTANTS help?
Applying for Irish Work Visas can be a complex process, especially if you do not have thorough knowledge of Irish immigration law and the visa application process. Luckily our highly-qualified consultants can guide you through each step from start to finish and can explain to you in detail what documents you need to submit.
At SKT CONSULTANTS, we are committed to helping our clients relocate to Ireland and work there. We will assess your qualifications and skills to help you decide which employment permit you should choose. We will be around to answer all your questions, making the whole process clear and stress-free.
Thanks to our teams’ assistance and expert advice you can maximise the chances of your application being accepted.
Get in touch by calling +353-85-115-3430 to find out more about how we can help.
Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.