Critical Skills Employment Permit

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa/Permit Name	Critical Skills Employment Permit
Stay Duration	Based on minimum 2-year job offer
Cost	€1,000 (90% refunded if unsuccessful)
Eligibility Timing	Apply at least 12 weeks before start
Work Rights	Work for named employer, occupation, location
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Health insurance payments count toward remuneration
Travel Facility / Entry Visa	Separate entry visa required if visa-national
Path to Residency	Eligible to apply directly for Stamp 4
Long-Term Residence	Eligible after 60 months residency permission
Citizenship	May be affected by registration delays
Family Sponsorship	Immediate family reunification permitted
Labour Market Needs Test	Not required
Employer 50:50 Rule	At least 50% EEA employees required

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Purpose

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled workers into the Irish labour market to address critical skills shortages in strategically important occupations (such as ICT professionals, professional engineers, and technologists) and encourage them to take up permanent residence in Ireland.

Eligibility Criteria

• Job Offer: A job offer of at least 2 years' duration from a bona-fide employer based, trading, and registered with the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland (and CRO/Register of Friendly Societies, where applicable).
• Remuneration & Occupation Thresholds:
  • €40,904+ per year: For strategically important occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List. A relevant degree qualification or higher is required.
  • €36,848+ per year: For the above occupations if the applicant qualified within the 12 months prior to application.
  • Public Sector: Remuneration is set by the relevant public sector pay agreement rate (including Section 38 Employers).
  • Nurses and Midwives: Must hold a degree or diploma accepted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration.
  • €68,911+ per year: Eligible for all occupations not on the Ineligible List of Occupations and not contrary to the public interest. Non-EEA nationals without a degree must possess relevant experience.
• Eligible Remuneration Components: Basic salary (meeting at least the National Minimum Wage or statutory rate) plus health insurance payments made to a registered health insurer (under Section 14 Health Insurance Act 1994 or approved equivalent). Bonuses are excluded.
• 50:50 Rule: At least 50% of the employer's workforce must be EEA nationals at the time of application. This may be waived for start-ups within 2 years of establishment supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.

Rights and Conditions

• Labour Market Needs Test: Not required.
• Employment Conditions: Permit holders are protected under Irish Employment Rights law and are permitted to work only for the employer, occupation, and location(s) specified on the permit.
• Job Mobility (9-Month Rule): Permit holders are expected to stay with the initial employer for at least 9 months. Under section 18 of the Employment Permits Regulations 2024, a permit for a new employer cannot be considered before 9 months have elapsed, except in cases of:
  • Redundancy.
  • Unforeseen circumstances fundamentally changing the employment relationship.
• Employer Deductions: Under section 55 of the Employment Permits Act 2024, employers are prohibited from deducting or recovering any application charges, fees, or expenses from the employee's remuneration.

Family Provisions

• Holders can apply for immediate family reunification via the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
• Resident dependants, partners, and spouses may seek employment and apply for a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit, currently issued free of charge.

Residency, Stamp 4, and Long-Term Residence

• Entry Visa: If visa-required, apply for an entry visa via irishimmigration.ie after the permit is issued. Entry is always at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.
• Registration: Non-EEA holders must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) upon arrival.
• Stamp 4 Pathway: Holders completing their permit term do not apply for a permit renewal with DETE. Instead, they apply directly to the Department of Justice for a Stamp 4 permission to reside and work without an employment permit (Stamp 4 Support Letters are no longer required).
• Duration: Stamp 4 is issued for 2 years and is renewable. After 60 months of lawful residency permission, holders can apply for long-term residence. If qualifying criteria are not met, a Stamp 1 is issued and an employment permit is still required.

Redundancy and Transfer of Undertakings

• Redundancy: Permit holders must notify the Employment Permits Section on the prescribed Notification of Redundancy Form within 4 weeks of dismissal. The holder has up to 6 months to seek alternative employment and apply for a new permit.
• Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE): If an employer changes due to a transfer of undertaking under SI No 131 of 2003, the employer must submit a Transfer of Undertaking Form by email to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online via Employment Permits Online at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date.

1. Submission & Queue: Submitted by either the employer or prospective employee. Processed in date order by employer queue (Trusted Partner or Standard).
2. Processing: A decision maker evaluates the application. If additional information is requested, it must be returned within 28 days.
3. Review of Refusal: If refused, a review request can be submitted within 28 days using the Submission of a Decision for Review Form.

Fees

• Fee: €1,000.
• Refunds: 90% is refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn. Refunds issue strictly to the applicant (even if paid by a third party).

Obligations and Important Warnings

• Mandatory Permit Surrender: Under section 43(1) of the Employment Permits Act 2024, if employment ends for any reason before the permit expires, the permit must be returned to the Department (a PDF copy emailed to employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie) within 4 weeks of termination. Failure to comply is an offence.
• Registration Delays: Failing to register promptly with the GNIB or renew permissions at least 1 month before expiry may cause unlawful presence and adversely affect citizenship or long-term residency applications.