Want to get your work visa in Ireland and live happily among Irish (elves) people? Then, read on to learn how to get an employment permit in Ireland.
Types of a work permit in Ireland
Whether you’re chasing greener pastures, planning a new start, or just really into Guinness and coastal hikes—Ireland might just be your next home. The country is known not only for its stunning landscapes and friendly locals but also for its welcoming culture. However, you’ll most likely need a permit if you plan to work in Ireland. The process of getting it is challenging, but you can overcome it and achieve your dream life. Here’s how. First of all, decide which employment permit in Ireland suits you the best. Options include:
Types of a work permit in Ireland
- Critical skills employment permit in Ireland;
- General employment permit in Ireland;
- Dependant, partner, spouse;
- Contract for service;
- Sports and cultural employment permit in Ireland;
- Intra-company transfer;
- Exchange agreement;
- Internship employment permit in Ireland;
- Reactivation employment permit in Ireland;
- Seasonal employment permit in Ireland;
- Hosting agreement for academic researchers.
Some of them are tailored for techies and doctors, others are for researchers, artists, and even interns. Whether you’re in a high-demand profession or just starting out, chances are there’s a permit for you. The variety of options shows that Ireland is serious about attracting global talent—and you might be exactly what they’re looking for. Seems like foreigners are welcome to work in Ireland, and that’s great news for every expat. To understand the types of work permits in Ireland better, let's look at some of them in more detail below.
Moving to Ireland? Explore the pros and cons of living in this country.
Critical skills employment permit in Ireland
This is a call for the top talents. And we’re sure you’re one of them. To get it, you have to be a professional with a job offer that:
- Offers a salary of 38,000 EUR or more per year;
- Has a position included in the Critical Skills Occupation List;
OR
- With a salary of at least 64,000 EUR per year;
- For a position that’s not included in the Ineligible List of Occupations.
So, you’re either a worker in an in-demand industry or earn a lot. In both cases, the offer should be for at least 2 years.
In case you don’t feel comfortable working in the company anymore and want to move, you have to wait. Changing employers is possible after 9 months.
Future stay: When 21 months pass, you get Stamp 4.
Family: You can bring your loved ones with you right away. Your spouse/partner can work without a permit after getting Stamp 1G.
This is a great option for people who already proved their experience and are valuable on the market. Ireland seeks professionals who know what they are doing and can level up local businesses.
General employment permit in Ireland
Apply if you have an offer:
- Securing a salary of 34,000 EUR or more per year;
- In a field not on the Ineligible List of Occupations.
- From a company where 50% or more of the workers are EEA citizens.
General employment permit in Ireland is the most common one, as it covers a broad range of professions and has less strict requirements.
Future stay: When 57 months pass, apply for Stamp 4 to work without a permit. Exceptions are doctors in HSE/HSE-funded agencies with Stamp 1G at hand. They can obtain Stamp 4 after 21 months of stay.
Family: After you work for 1 year, your relatives can come over and stay. Your spouse or partner will get a Stamp 1G if they want and need to.
While your family is away, support them financially with secure and fast Profee transfers. Send money back home at great rates and with low fees in minutes—and enjoy your life in Ireland.
This is your opportunity to live in Ireland and get experience in vital areas of the economy. Moreover, because of the 50/50 rule, you can learn from the local workers and see how they manage business processes.
Hosting agreement for academic researchers
If you’re a researcher who wants to conduct a study in Ireland, this is for you. To get your work visa in Ireland, make sure to:
- Have a 3+ months contract;
- Receive an income of 23,811 EUR per year if you’re single and 30,000 EUR if you have people to take care of;
- Have a right to join doctoral programmes.
Ireland is home to leading research institutions which attract scholars from all over the world. So, if you're passionate, come and contribute to global science.
Read more about the types of work permits in Ireland on the official website.
After you decide which work in Ireland to aim for, let’s break down how to get an employment permit in Ireland. We promise it’s not as scary as it looks.
Explore: Bank holidays in Ireland in 2025.
How to get an employment permit in Ireland: Step-by-step
Secure a job offer
How to get an employment permit in Ireland without a job offer? It’s not possible. So, while in your home country, you need to build your professional profile and actively apply for open positions.
Here are some tips:
- Target in-demand sectors (IT, healthcare, engineering—Critical Skills Occupation List will guide you);
- Upgrade your CV: 2 pages max, with a short introduction at the top, highlighting achievements, and with a LinkedIn profile link. Adjust the CV to each application using the wording from the job description.
- Search on Irish websites jobs.ie, irishjobs.ie, ie.indeed.com, recruitireland.com, and LinkedIn.
- Try applying directly to companies. If you have a dream company, go to its website and apply from there or contact its HR via email.
- Ask other expats for job recommendations and connect to people from your target industry.
- Don’t ignore remote positions. If you’re not in a rush, try working from home first. Once you gain the company's trust and feel comfortable working with them, ask for relocation.
- Study. To be a stronger candidate, you should never stop learning. Enroll in courses or visit local educational events. You've got to have enough expertise for a company to pay for your work visa in Ireland.
Already nailed all the interviews and have an offer? Then, let’s move on to the next step.
Read more about finding a job in Ireland here.
Apply
Next, we’ll tell you how to get an employment permit in Ireland from abroad. It happens online. You or your employer should go to the Employment Permits Online System page (EPOS) and fill in the form. Note that starting from April 28th a new system will be launched.
You’ll need to submit an application and insert the following information:
- Employer details (registered number, company name, nature of business and more);
- Employee details (name, passport number, qualification, etc.);
- Employment details (position, duties, start date, etc.);
- Pay details (hours of work, rates of pay, total salary, and deductions);
- Paying for permit (name and card details);
- Signature pages;
- Passport copy;
- Copy immigration stamp if you have any;
- Employee photo;
- Copy of contract;
Maybe you’ll need some additional documents. Follow official checklists to not miss anything.
Fees also vary, but usually they are around 500-1000 EUR.
The final decision will be given in several weeks.
Wait
It’s impossible to relax because of the unknown, but try not to panic. Return to your daily routine, spend time with family and live in the moment. To see the results, you can do the employment authorisation status check on the EPOS page. Log in with your email and application ID. Or ask your company for an update. But usually, status emails should come to you so you won't miss the decision.
What’s next
If you got it—congratulations. Now, you may need to apply for a work visa in Ireland. After that, arrive in Ireland, buy Guinness to celebrate but don’t forget to visit the immigration office. You have 90 days to do so.
If it was denied—you can always try again. JK Rowling was turned down by 12 publishers and still succeeded, so you can, too!
Conclusion
In this article, we covered how to get an employment permit in Ireland. Follow these steps: secure a job offer, choose the permit type, handle the application, do an employment authorisation status check and wait for a decision. We wish you good luck on your journey to find work in Ireland! And once in Ireland, send money back home with fast and secure Profee transfers.
