Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland's flagship work permit designed to attract highly skilled professionals in shortage occupations including ICT, engineering, healthcare, and finance. Offers fast-track to residency: Stamp 4 (open work permission) after just 21 months, allowing work without a permit. Family members can join immediately with Stamp 1G allowing spouse/partner to work without a permit. From March 1, 2026, minimum salary increases to €40,904 for listed occupations or €64,000+ for unlisted roles with degree qualification. No Labour Market Needs Test required. Employer change permitted after 9 months since September 2024.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer from Irish employer for 2+ years
- •Role on Critical Skills Occupations List OR €64,000+ salary with degree
- •Minimum salary €40,904 (from March 2026) for listed occupations
- +2 more requirements
General Employment Permit
Work permit for occupations not on the Critical Skills list but experiencing labour shortages. Requires Labour Market Needs Test proving no suitable EEA candidate available. From March 1, 2026, minimum salary increases to €36,605. Must be tied to employer for 12 months before transfer is possible. 50/50 rule applies: at least 50% of employees must be EEA nationals at time of application. Path to Stamp 4 available after 5 years continuous employment.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer from Irish employer
- •Minimum salary €36,605 (from March 2026)
- •Role not on Ineligible Occupations List
- +2 more requirements
Internship Employment Permit
Employment permit for non-EEA students enrolled in higher education outside Ireland to gain work experience in fields related to Critical Skills Occupations List. Must be enrolled full-time in accredited institution abroad. Internship must be relevant to studies and in a qualifying occupation. Valid for up to 12 months. Minimum salary of €21,346.40 (national minimum wage equivalent). Cannot be extended or renewed.
Key Requirements:
- •Full-time student at accredited institution outside Ireland
- •Internship in Critical Skills occupation field
- •Letter from educational institution
- +2 more requirements
Irish Citizenship
Citizenship by naturalization requires 5 years reckonable residence (continuous legal residence), including 12 continuous months immediately before applying. Reduced to 3 years for spouses of Irish citizens. Absences limited to 70 days in final year (30 extra days may be allowed exceptionally). Must be 18+, of good character (Garda vetting), and intend to continue residing in Ireland. No language or civics test required. Dual citizenship permitted. Application fee €175 plus €950 certificate fee if approved.
Key Requirements:
- •5 years reckonable residence (3 years if married to Irish citizen)
- •12 continuous months residence before application
- •Maximum 70 days absence in final year
- +3 more requirements
Join Family Visa
Long Stay D Visa for non-EEA family members joining Irish citizens or lawful residents. Spouses of CSEP holders can join immediately with Stamp 1G (work without permit). Other permit holders must wait 12 months. Irish citizen sponsors must demonstrate €40,000 earnings over previous 3 years combined. Processing times currently average 19 months. Policy updated November 2025 with stricter income requirements. Dependent children and partners included.
Key Requirements:
- •Valid marriage certificate or civil partnership
- •Sponsor earnings €40,000+ over past 3 years (Irish citizens)
- •Proof of genuine relationship
- +3 more requirements
Stamp 0
Temporary residence permission for persons of independent means who will not access the Irish labour market or state funds. Commonly used by retirees and those with substantial passive income from abroad (approximately €50,000+ annual income required). Does NOT permit work for Irish employers. Income must come from non-Irish sources such as pensions, investments, or foreign employment. Requires comprehensive private health insurance. Permission granted at discretion of immigration officer.
Key Requirements:
- •Approximately €50,000+ annual income from non-Irish sources
- •Comprehensive private health insurance
- •No intention to access Irish labour market
- +2 more requirements
Stamp 4
Open work and residence permission allowing holders to work in Ireland without an employment permit, establish a business, or access state services. Granted to CSEP holders after 21 months, GEP holders after 5 years, spouses of Irish citizens, refugees, and long-term residents. Valid for 2-5 years and renewable. Time on Stamp 4 counts toward citizenship. Can apply for Stamp 5 (permanent residence without time limit) after 8 years total legal residence.
Key Requirements:
- •CSEP holder for 21+ months OR GEP holder for 5 years
- •OR spouse/partner of Irish citizen
- •OR recognized refugee/protection status
- +1 more requirements
Startup Entrepreneur Programme
Residence permission for entrepreneurs establishing innovative startup businesses in Ireland. Requires €50,000 funding secured (reduced from previous €75,000). Must be a high potential startup (HPSU) capable of creating 10+ jobs and €1M+ revenue within 3-4 years, with potential for international markets. No direct job creation requirement initially. Evaluated by Enterprise Ireland. Successful applicants receive Stamp 4 permission. Spouse and dependents can join with work rights.
Key Requirements:
- •€50,000 funding secured for the business
- •High potential startup business proposal
- •Innovation and scalability potential
- +2 more requirements
Student Visa
Long Stay D Visa for non-EEA nationals studying full-time courses on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Requires minimum 15 hours weekly study time. Financial proof of €10,000 access required. Part-time work allowed: 20 hours/week during term, 40 hours/week during summer (June-September) and winter holidays (December 15-January 15). Third Level Graduate Programme allows 1-2 years post-study work permission depending on qualification level.
Key Requirements:
- •Acceptance at ILEP-listed institution
- •Proof of €10,000 accessible funds
- •Course fees paid (up to €6,000 before visa)
- +3 more requirements
Questions
No visa questions for Ireland yet.