To work as a highly-skilled worker, you must, in general, have:
- a valid entry visa (if necessary);
- a valid Critical Skills Employment Permits; and
- a certificate of registration called an Irish Residence Permit issued by the GNIB/local Immigration Officer after you arrive in Ireland.
Where and how to apply | Critical Skills Employment Permit To obtain a Critical Skills Employment permit, you must have a job offer for at least two years duration and an annual salary of above € 60,000 per year other than those on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment PermitsSearch for available translations of the preceding link or which are contrary to the public interest. For strategically important occupationsSearch for available translations of the preceding link listed on the Critical Skills list, the minimum remuneration is €30,000 plus the requirement for the non-EEA national to hold a qualification at degree level relevant to the occupation. You must possess the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that are required for the employment. An employment permit will not be granted to companies unless 50% or more of the employees in the firm are EEA nationals at the time of application. However, this restriction may be waived in respect of start-up companies within 2 years of their establishment (i.e. registered as an employer with Revenue) and which are supported by the enterprise development agencies, Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland. You or your future employer must complete the employment permit application form. Applications can be submitted via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) (link: https://epos.djei.ie) of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. An employment permit may issue to persons already lawfully residing in the State on a valid immigration permission, who are the holders of valid Garda National Immigration Bureau cards, and who have been offered employment in an eligible occupation. In this instance, on receipt of the employment permit, the persons concerned must register their change of status with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.Highly Skilled Job Interview AuthorisationSearch for available translations of the preceding link Permission to enter and remain in Ireland on a temporary basis (up to a maximum of 90 days from the date of arrival) will be granted to non-EEA nationals who have been invited by an employer based in Ireland to attend a job interview for eligible employment as identified on the Critical Skills Occupations listSearch for available translations of the preceding link. During this time period, successful interviewees may apply for an Employment Permit from the Department of Business, Enterprise and InnovationSearch for available translations of the preceding link and await the outcome of the application. This application must be made as soon as possible following the offer of employment. Visa
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| Documents required | In addition to the completed employment permit form and paying the required fee, you must have a job offer and provide:
Your employer must be registered with the Office of the Revenue CommissionersSearch for available translations of the preceding link and with the Companies Registration Office and must operate his/her trading in Ireland. |
| Duration of validity of permits | Critical Skills Employment Permits are issued for two years. After two years of employment with this type of employment permit, you may apply for permission to work in the State without an employment permitby completing a Request for Support Letter for Green Card/Search for available translations of the preceding link Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders seeking a ‘Stamp 4’Search for available translations of the preceding linkMore on renewing your Critical Skills Employment PermitsSearch for available translations of the preceding link |
| Further requirements | Following admission to Ireland, you must register with your local immigration officer and obtain a certificate of registration. If you live in Dublin City or county, you must register at Burgh Quay Immigration Registration Office. This office is managed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). If you live outside Dublin City or county, you must register at your local immigration registration officeSearch for available translations of the preceding link. These offices are managed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau Search for available translations of the preceding link(police) and located at Garda stations nationwide. |
| Appeals | You can appeal a refusal decision within 28 days by completing a Submission of a Decision for Review FormSearch for available translations of the preceding link. The appeal will be considered by a separate and more senior official. The refusal of an application on appeal does not prevent you submitting a new application. |
| Further information | More on critical skills employment permitSearch for available translations of the preceding link More on visasSearch for available translations of the preceding link More on registrationSearch for available translations of the preceding link More on appeals |
| Change of employment | In general, a change of employer is not permitted within the first 12 months of your employment in Ireland and you can only work for the employer and in the position mentioned on your Critical Skills Employment Permit. You may change employer if you apply for and are granted a new Employment Permit. |
| Unemployment | If you are made redundant involuntarily, while you are a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder you are required to notify the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation of the redundancy by completing the Notification of Redundancy FormSearch for available translations of the preceding link within four weeks of the date of dismissal. You will have up to six months from the date of dismissal by reason of redundancy to seek alternative employment. |
| Long-term residence | After five years of legal residence in Ireland, you may apply for long-term residence and/or citizenship, subject to conditions being fulfilled. The status is granted at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality . After eight years of legal residence in Ireland, you may apply for leave to remain Without Condition As To Time (WCATTSearch for available translations of the preceding link). Until either long-term residence or citizenship is granted, you are required to maintain a residence permit. More on long-term residenceSearch for available translations of the preceding link More on citizenship |
No information available
- Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Employment Permits Section)
- Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (visas)
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Garda National Immigration Bureau
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection – Employment Services
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Citizens Information (Coming to Work in Ireland)
- More on the Critical Skills Employment Permit