Ireland is an increasingly popular destination for highly skilled talent from all over the world, with its thriving job market and numerous multinational corporations headquartered there, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, Intel, Dell, and JP Morgan. As it is a member of the European Union, those who hold citizenship in other EU countries don't need a special visa to work in Ireland, and have an automatic right to live and work in Ireland. However, if you are not from the EEA (European Economic Area), you will need a special work permit to be able to work in Ireland.Ìý
Conditions for working in Ireland for European Union and European Economic Area citizens
If you are a citizen of the  and the EU, you do not need a work permit or visa to work in Ireland. You do not even need to have a job offer when you arrive in the country.
The countries currently in the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Countries that are covered as part of the European Economic Area are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. While Switzerland is not part of either of these groups, its citizens get the same allowances due to being a part of the single market.Ìý
If you are a UK citizen, you do not need a visa to live, work, or study in Ireland. Under the , UK and Irish citizens can live and work freely in each other's countries and travel freely between them.
Types of work visas for Ireland for non-EU and EEA citizens
There are nine different work visa options that you can apply for as a non-EEA national, depending on your specific circumstances; for example, where in the world you are a citizen and what you plan on doing in Ireland.ÌýWork permits are issued by the . General Employment Permits and Critical Skills Permits are the most popular types of work permits in Ireland.
The 9 different types of employment permits you can choose from, depending on your profession, include:
Critical Skills Employment Permit
The , formerly called the Green Card, is aimed at highly skilled professionals in sectors experiencing significant shortages in Ireland. Eligible sectors include IT, engineering, finance, and healthcare. To qualify, you must be offered a minimum salary of €38,000 from an occupation in the  or a minimum salary of over €64,000 from an occupation not on the .
You are only issued a Critical Skills Employment Permit if your job offer is for a minimum of two years' duration. After two years, you can apply to continue working in Ireland without a permit, making it particularly attractive for those planning to stay in the country. Applications cost €1,000, with €900 of this refundable if your application is unsuccessful.
Spouse/Partner/Dependent Employment Permit
This permit allows the dependants, partners, or spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders to seek employment in Ireland. There are not many restrictions on this visa type, but you have to be legally residing in the country to apply for it. There is no initial application fee, and the time length of the permit is dependent on that of your partner's permit.Ìý
Reactivation Employment Permit
This permit is meant for foreign nationals who previously had an employment permit and dropped out of the system through no fault of their own, or were suffering from some form of workplace exploitation. You have to be unemployed, a previous employment permit holder, have a job offer that isn't a domestic setting job, have a Stamp 1 (immigration permission that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Ireland), and a letter from the Department of Justice and Inequality. There are no restrictions on job type or salary.
General Employment Permit
The General Employment Permit permits you to be employed in Ireland in a broad range of jobs, unlike the Critical Skills Employment Permit. The aim of this permit is to attract 3rd country nationals for job sectors that are experiencing a labour or skills shortage. A Labour Market Needs Test is generally required.
Either you or your prospective employer can apply for the permit. The permit can be issued for two years and can then be renewed for up to three additional years. After five years, you can apply to the Department of Justice for long-term residency in Ireland. Your spouse, dependant, or partner cannot apply for a Dependant Employment Permit and must apply for their own employment permit.
The criteria to be eligible for the General Employment Permit are as follows:
- The job offer must be for at least 12 months;
- The job is not in an excluded job category under the ;
- The job must pass a Labour Market Needs Test, demonstrating that no suitable candidate within the EEA is available for the role;
- Minimum annual remuneration is €34,000, unless you are employed as a horticulture worker, or meat processor operative, in which case the minimum annual salary is €30,000, or you are a health care assistant or home support worker, in which case the salary is €30,000 a year.
- You can work at an Irish company, but not if your employment means there are more foreign nationals working there than EEA nationals. This is called the 50:50 rule.
For details on how to make a General Employment Permit application, the in Ireland has provided a step-by-step video which is available to view on .
The fee for a new General Employment Permit is:
- €500 for an employment permit of 6 months or less duration,
- €1,000 for an employment permit from 6 months up to 24 months duration.
Your application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
Contract for Services Employment Permit
°Õ³ó±ðÌý allows non-EEA citizens to keep working outside of Ireland but come to the country for a short time to work on a contract for services basis, if they have won a contract to provide services to an Irish company, and to facilitate the transfer of their non-EEA employees to work there as well.ÌýIt is initially granted for up to 24 months and can be extended to five years.
Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
°Õ³ó±ðÌý allows you to transfer from an overseas branch of a multinational company to its Irish branch, on a temporary placement, if you are senior management, key personnel, or a trainee who is a foreign national.
This type of permit can be invaluable in the initial set-up of a foreign direct investment company. It is valid for two years but can be extended to five years for senior management roles.
Internship Employment Permit
An allows students from non-EEA countries who are enrolled at a third-level institution outside of Ireland and studying in a discipline relevant to the occupations included on the to go on an internship in Ireland, for the purposes of gaining work experience.ÌýIt is valid for the duration of the internship with a maximum stay of 12 months. The rate of pay must meet or exceed the National Minimum Wage (which is €13.50 as of 1st January 2025).
Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
The is designed to facilitate the employment in Ireland of non-EEA nationals with the relevant qualifications, skills, experience, or knowledge for the development, operation, and capacity of sporting and cultural activities.ÌýThis permit is ideal for athletes, coaches, and cultural and entertainment professionals.
Exchange Agreement Employment Permit
An is for those taking part in an international reciprocal agreement, like the Fulbright Program (the international educational exchange program sponsored by the US government) .ÌýThe duration is typically 12 months.
How to apply for a work permit in Ireland
You can apply for a work permit at . On the portal, you need to create an account to submit your application. Once you are registered, you can apply for work permits, track your application status, update your personal details, and get technical support or assistance.
You will need to gather all the relevant documentation including:
- Your job offer and employment contract;
- Proof of your qualifications and relevant work experience;
- Your passport, which should be valid for at least 12 months from your arrival in Ireland;
- A Labour Market Needs Test results if applicable;
- Employer details;
- Banking documentation - Proof you have sufficient funds to settle in Ireland (typically bank statements from the previous six months);
- Proof of health insurance in Ireland.
Your documentation will also have to be presented in a notarised translation into English.
Working Holiday Authorisation for Ireland
This is a visa for young people, typically between the ages of 18 and 30, who are planning to travel to Ireland for up to 12 months and need to get some form of part-time work to help finance the trip. Those citizens eligible to apply are from Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.Ìý
You can apply for this visa at the Irish embassy or consulate in your home nation. There may be some additional requirements depending on your home country. Canadians can apply for this visa and stay for up to 24 months and can be between 18 and 35 years old.Ìý
Things to keep in mind when applying for a permit in Ireland
Success in the Irish work permit system depends on thorough preparation, choosing the right permit category, and ensuring all requirements are met before you submit your application.
- Ensure that your qualifications are recognised in Ireland.
- Have your qualifications translated and notarised if required.
- Apply well in advance of your intended start date - 12 or more weeks minimum.
- Generally, employers take responsibility for inviting eligible applicants and ensuring they comply with Irish employment regulations
Further information on the visa requirements in Ireland can be found on the website.
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