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Work in Ireland under the General Employment Permit

The General Employment Permit allows Foreign Nationals nationals to work in Ireland in occupations where skills or labour shortages exist. Unlike the Critical Skills Permit, this route covers a wider range of jobs across multiple sectors.

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General Employment Permit

What Is a General Employment Permit?

The General Employment Permit is the main employment route for Foreign Nationals nationals seeking to work in Ireland in roles that are experiencing skill or labour shortages. Unlike the Critical Skills Employment Permit, where only specific occupations qualify, the General Employment Permit assumes all occupations are eligible unless they appear on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits.

This permit is popular due to its flexibility, broader occupation coverage, and suitability for employment contracts of at least 12 months. It can be issued for up to 2 years initially and renewed for a further 3 years. After 5 years of legal residence, applicants may be eligible to apply for long-term residency or Stamp 4 permission from the Department of Justice.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Open to a variety of Occupations – Unless the role is on the ineligible occupations list, it may qualify. 
  • Available for 12-month or longer employment contracts.
  • The standard minimum annual remuneration is €34,000 with a few exceptions
  • Unlike the critical skills, no formal degree is required for many roles, although relevant experience is essential
  • Can be applied for by either the employee or employer.
  • Pathway to long-term residency after 5 years.
  • Also applicable for all roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List.

Case Studies

Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT)

All General Employment Permit applications require the employer to undertake a Labour Market Needs Test to prove no suitable EEA candidate was available. This involves:

Advertising Requirement

The job must be advertised for at least 28 continuous days with:

  • The Department of Social Protection Employment Services/EURES network, and
  • An additional online platform designed to publish employment opportunities.

The Labour Market Needs Test is not required if:

  • The job is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
  • The salary is €64,000 or more per year.
  • The employer has a recommendation from IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland.
  • The applicant was made redundant from a previous valid employment permit within the last 6 months (and notified by the Department within 4 weeks).
  • The job involves exceptional medical care for a dependent individual, and the foreign national has been providing care to the person before the application was made and that person has developed a high level of dependence on that foreign national .

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has confirmed an updated roadmap for employment permit salary thresholds.

The first phase of changes will take effect from 1 March 2026, with further phased increases planned through to 2030. The initial adjustment represents a 7.66% increase, replacing the originally proposed 14.7% uplift announced in 2023.

Key changes from 1 March 2026 include:
– General Employment Permits: minimum salary increasing from €34,000 to €36,605
– Critical Skills Employment Permits: minimum salary rising from €38,000 to €40,904

Meat processing, horticulture, healthcare assistants and home carers: minimum salary increasing from €30,000 to €32,691
Recent graduates will continue to benefit from lower entry thresholds, reflecting early-career progression

These changes will have important implications for workforce planning and employment permit compliance. If you’d like to understand how the updated salary thresholds may affect you or your organisation in 2026 and beyond, our team would be happy to help—get in touch to discuss your options.

Important Update: New Work Rights for Dependent Children of Employment Permit Holders

The Irish Government has announced a significant and positive change following a review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy. This update affects dependant minor children of certain employment permit holders living in Ireland.
Whats's changed?
From now on, dependant minor children who have joined their families in Ireland under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy will be granted Stamp 1G permission when they reach 16 years of age, instead of Stamp 3.
Why this matter:

Stamp 1G allows the holder to work in Ireland without needing an employment permit.

This change applies to children of:

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders
  • General Employment Permit (GEP) holders
  • Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) permit holders
  • Researchers on Hosting Agreements

The family reunification application process for minor children remains in place, but it has been updated in line with this new policy.

What If Your Child Already Has Stamp 3?
If an eligible dependant minor child is already living in Ireland and currently holds Stamp 3, special transitional arrangements apply.
If an eligible dependant minor child is already living in Ireland and currently holds Stamp 3, special transitional arrangements apply.
If an eligible dependant minor child is already living in Ireland and currently holds Stamp 3, special transitional arrangements apply.
Automatic Change – No Application Needed
  • As an exceptional measure, eligible children with a valid Stamp 3 IRP card now have their permission varied to Stamp 1G conditions
  • No new application or Registration Office appointment is required
  • No new IRP card is needed right now
Key Dates to Know
  • The amended Stamp 3 conditions take effect from 26 November 2025
  • When the current IRP card expires, the child will receive a new IRP card showing Stamp 1G
  • The transition period ends on 26 November 2026
Can My Child Work Before Getting a New IRP Card?

Yes. During the transition period:

  • Eligible dependant minor children can work
  • They do not need a new IRP card immediately
  • Employers can be shown the current Stamp 3 IRP card, and
    An official government letter explaining this temporary arrangement
Who Is Eligible?

To benefit from this change, the child must meet all of the following criteria on 26 November 2024:

  • Be the child of:
    – A GEP, CSEP, or ICT permit holder
    – A Researcher on a Hosting Agreement
    – Or a person who previously held one of the above and is now on Stamp 4
  • Have permission under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy
  • Have been originally granted permission as an unmarried, dependant minor child under 18 (Note: the previous extension for those aged 18–23 in full-time education has now ended)
  • Be legally resident in Ireland on Stamp 3
  • Wish to take up employment
  • Not be a citizen of the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland
Who Does This NOT Apply To?

This update does not apply to:

  • Adult children granted permission due to exceptional circumstances
  • Other family members (such as spouses or parents)
  • Children in Ireland on visitor permission or Stamp 2 (student)
  • Children without valid immigration permission
  • Stamp 3 holders who are not dependant minor children of eligible permit holders

This is a welcome and practical change for families living and working in Ireland. It gives young people more independence, work opportunities, and flexibility while removing unnecessary administrative barriers.

If you need guidance on how this change affects your family or future renewals, feel free to contact our team for tailored advice.

Application Process

Initial Consultation with the Immigration team

Eligibility Assessment & Advice on specific requirements on job role and application process. .

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Document Review & Completion of Online Application .

Our team prepares the submissions that will accompany the application.

In-depth Legal Representation throughout the entire process.

Advice on the next steps following the decision.

*Our team will advise on current processing times at the time of application & will provided regular updates during the processing of the application.

Cancellation or Redundancy

  • If employment ends, the permit must be returned to the Department within 4 weeks
  • You must also notify the department if made redundant
  • Redundant permit holders have up to 6 months to secure alternative employment

How Gibson & Associates Can Help You

Our immigration team provides a complete legal service to make your application process clear, stress-free, and compliant with Irish law.

Why choose Us?

Our expertise (decades of in-depth knowledge and familiarity with application process).

We can provide expert guidance throughout the application process, helping you navigate requirements and address common challenges to present the strongest possible case.

Our legal teams will identify and utilise relevant legislation and case law that may impact your individual application.

Our Dedicated Immigration Team

Daireann Gibson
Managing Partner

Amanda Walsh
Partner

Helen Moakley
Senior Solicitor

Kellie McLaughlin
Solicitor

Maura Kavanagh
Solicitor

Sharon Shaw
Legal Manager

Leanne Mclean
Immigration Consultant

Megan McKeon
Immigration Consultant 

Aisling Harden
Senior Legal Support

Lorna Pyper
Senior Legal Support 

Irene Ayaru
Senior Legal Support 

Jade Mullhern
Immigration Consultant

Stacey McGrath
Legal Support

Laura Phelan
Legal Support

Kevina McFadden
Legal Support

Karley Keane
Legal Support

Irish Work Permits Application FAQ's

1. What is an Irish work permit?

An Irish work permit, also known as an employment permit, is a legal authorisation that allows non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals to work in Ireland for a specific employer and in a specified role. These permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

2. Who needs an Employment Permit to work in Ireland?

An employment permit is required for most non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who wish to work in Ireland. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not need a permit. Some other categories of residents, such as people with Stamp 4 immigration permission, may also be permitted to enter employment without one.

3. What are the main types of Employment Permits in Ireland?

The main types of employment permits in Ireland include the Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit, Intra-Company Transfer Permit, Reactivation Employment Permit, Sport and Cultural Employment Permit, and Contract for Services Employment Permit. Each permit type is designed for a different employment situation.

4. What is the Critical Skills Employment Permit?

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled professionals to Ireland in occupations where there is a shortage of qualified workers. It is commonly issued for roles in sectors such as ICT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and science.

5. What jobs qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit?

Jobs that qualify for the Critical Skills Employment Permit are listed on Ireland’s Critical Skills Occupations List. These typically include roles such as software developers, engineers, doctors, nurses, data analysts, and other highly skilled professionals. The role must also meet minimum salary requirements and qualification requirements. Eligibility for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is largely determined by the type of occupation, and proposed remuneration level.

6. What is the General Employment Permit?

The General Employment Permit allows non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland in occupations that are not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List but are also not on the Ineligible Occupations List. It is one of the most commonly used permits for skilled and semi-skilled roles.

7. How long are General Employment Permits valid?

General Employment Permits are usually issued for up to two years initially. After that, they can be renewed for an additional three years. Once a person has legally worked in Ireland for five years, they may become eligible for Stamp 4 permission, and they may also apply for Long Term Residency if they meet the documentary requirements.

8. What is the Reactivation Employment Permit?

The Reactivation Employment Permit allows individuals who previously held an employment permit in Ireland but lost their status through circumstances beyond their control to return to lawful employment if they secure a qualifying job offer.

9. When is a Reactivation Permit needed?

Reactivation Employment Permits are designed for situations where a foreign national who entered the State on a valid Employment Permit but who fell out of the system through no fault of their own or who has been badly treated or exploited in the workplace, to work legally again.

Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/reactivation-employment-permit/

10. What is the Sport and Cultural Employment Permit?

The Sport and Cultural Employment Permit allows non-EEA nationals with specialised talent to work in Ireland in sports or cultural roles. This may include professional athletes, coaches, performers, musicians, dancers, or other artistic professionals.

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