Ireland Employment Permit Calculator
Check which Irish work permit you need, calculate the fee, and verify your salary meets the minimum threshold. Covers Critical Skills (CSEP), General Employment (GEP), Intra-Company Transfer (ICT), Dependant/Spouse, and Contract for Services permits issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
How Ireland Employment Permits Work
Ireland's employment permit system is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to work in Ireland must hold a valid employment permit before starting employment. The system is designed to fill skill gaps in the Irish economy while protecting the domestic labour market. There are several permit types, each with different salary thresholds, eligibility criteria, and fees. The Critical Skills Employment Permit is the most sought-after, as it leads directly to long-term residency through Stamp 4 after two years. The General Employment Permit is more widely available but requires a labour market needs test to demonstrate that no suitable EEA candidate could fill the role.
Critical Skills vs General Employment Permit
The Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) targets highly skilled workers in occupations that Ireland needs most. If your occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupation List, the minimum salary is 38,000 euro. For occupations not on the list, you need a minimum salary of 64,000 euro to qualify. The fee is 1,000 euro for both new and renewal applications. The key advantage is that after two years on a CSEP, you can apply for Stamp 4 permission, which lets you work without any permit. The General Employment Permit (GEP) has a lower salary threshold of 34,000 euro but requires employers to conduct a labour market needs test, advertising the position to EEA nationals first. The GEP fee is 1,000 euro for new applications and 1,500 euro for renewals, with a 50 percent refund if the application is refused.
Other Permit Types and Fees
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) permit allows multinational companies to transfer employees to their Irish branch. The fee is 500 euro, with minimum salary requirements depending on role: 40,000 euro for senior management and key personnel, and 30,000 euro for trainees. The Dependant/Partner/Spouse permit costs 1,000 euro and is available to spouses of CSEP holders or researchers. The Contract for Services permit, also 500 euro, applies to foreign contractors providing services to an Irish entity with a minimum salary of 40,000 euro. All permit applications are currently processed within eight to twelve weeks, though processing times can vary depending on volume and completeness of documentation submitted.
Tips for a Successful Permit Application
Start your application well in advance, as processing takes eight to twelve weeks. Ensure all documents are certified and translated into English where required. For GEP applications, the labour market needs test must show the position was advertised on EURES, IrishJobs.ie, and the DSP Employment Services Office for at least two weeks. Check the Ineligible Categories of Employment List to confirm your occupation is not excluded from the permit scheme. Keep your passport valid for the duration of the permit, and ensure your employer is registered with DETE. If your application is refused, GEP applicants receive a 50 percent fee refund. Consider consulting a registered immigration solicitor for complex cases, particularly if you are switching permit types or have spent time on other immigration permissions in Ireland.