How to Apply for a Work Visa in Ireland

Do you need a work visa for Ireland? 

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you will need a visa to enter Ireland and an employment permit to work legally. There are several types of visa options, including 

• The Critical Skills Employment Permit, 
• General Employment Permit, 
• Contract for Services Employment Permit
• Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit

Each permit is designed for specific roles or industries, ensuring you find something that suits your needs. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) issues the Ireland work permit. It's also a prerequisite to applying for a visa to enter Ireland. 

In some cases, non-EU/EEA/Swiss with the Stamp 4 permission might not need the employment permit. The stamp 4 immigration permission allows you to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit. It's often issued to 

• partners of Irish citizens or 
• Critical Skills Employment Permit holders (after working for 21 months in Ireland)
• People granted subsidiary protection or leave to remain
• Persons who have lived in Ireland for more than 5 years. 

Types of Ireland employment permit

If you are from one of the countries that require a visa to enter Ireland, you must first secure a job in Ireland and obtain a work permit from the DETE before applying for a work visa. Ireland offers several employment permits for different occupations. The main categories include:

1. Critical Skills Employment Permit: for highly skilled foreign workers in sectors with labour shortages. Holders of this permit do not need to take the Labour Market Needs Test.
    
2. General Employment Permit: for other professionals who do not qualify for the critical skills permit. There is no predefined list of eligible occupations for this permit, except those listed in the ‘Ineligible Categories of Employment for Employment Permits.
    
3. Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit: for spouses, partners, or dependents of the critical skills employment permit holders. This permit allows you to work in any profession, even those listed as ineligible for other permits, except as a domestic worker. Holders of this permit are exempt from paying visa application fees.
    
4. Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit: for employees transferring to the Irish branch of their current company. Job roles that qualify for this permit type include senior management, key personnel with specialist knowledge and trainees.
    
5. Internship Employment Permit: for full-time foreign students enrolled in a higher education institution outside Ireland who want to gain work experience in Ireland. It is valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed.
    
6. Contract for Services Employment Permit: for foreign workers employed by a foreign company who come to Ireland to work on behalf of their employer. However, the employer must have a contract with an Irish business or individual.
    
7. Sport and Cultural Employment Permit: for foreign citizens whose skills, experience, or knowledge in sports and culture can help develop these sectors in Ireland.
    
8. Exchange Agreement Employment Permit: for foreign workers participating in international exchange programs involving Ireland, such as The Fulbright Programme and the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).
    
9. Reactivation Employment Permit: for former permit holders who lost their right to work in Ireland due to circumstances beyond their control, such as workplace exploitation or abuse. This permit helps them regain legal work status in Ireland.

Note: If you don't qualify under the listed Irish work permit, you can explore the Atypical Permission. This permit allows you to work in Ireland under jobs not covered by other employment rules. Some occupations under this permit include locum doctors, midwifery nurses, paid interns or crew on a fishing fleet.

Employment Permit exemptions

Certain non-EAA nationals do not need an employment permit to work in Ireland. These include: 

• Workers legally employed in an EAA member state who are temporarily sent to another Member state. 
• People with specific permissions to stay in Ireland, such as spouses of Irish nationals or their civil partners, parents and dependents, and asylees on temporary leave based on humanitarian grounds. 
• Swiss nationals.
• Employment permit holders with Stamp 4 immigration status.
• Asylum seekers: If you applied for “international protection" in Ireland, you are exempt from applying for a work visa. However, you can apply for the Labour Market Access Permission if you've been waiting for international protection application approval for more than 6 months. When granted, the Labour Market Access Permission allows you to work in Ireland for 12 months. You can renew it if you haven't received approval for your application after 12 months.

Where to apply for the Ireland work Permit

To apply for an Irish work permit, you must create an account on the Employee Permits Online System (EPOS). This platform allows employers, employees, and agents to apply, track, and update details for your employment permits.  Employers must provide key documents, like revenue and CRO details, during the registration process.

Ireland's work visa requirements

You must meet some criteria to qualify for a work visa in Ireland. These include:

• A job offer or work contract from an Irish employer. 
   
• For non-Critical Skills Employment Permits, your employer must pass the Labour Market Needs Test, ensuring no suitable Irish or EU/EAA/Swiss candidate is available.  
   
• A minimum annual salary of €38,000, for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, depending on the occupation. 
   
• The minimum salary for a General Employment Permit must be at least €34,000. Other permits may have different thresholds that meet the National Minimum Wage.
   
• At least half of the employees in the Irish company hiring you must be EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.

Required documents for an Ireland work visa

When applying for your Ireland work visa online, you must attach various documents, depending on your employment permit type. These include: 

• A valid passport with at least six months before expiration and two blank visa pages.
   
• Previous passports, including details of any visa refusals.
   
• A completed and signed online application form (with guardians' signatures if applicable).
   
• Two recent colour photographs (measuring 35x45 mm) with a white background, labelled with your name.
   
• Signed letter stating reasons for visiting Ireland, family details, stay duration, accommodation plans, and commitment to visa conditions.
   
• Employment permit (e.g., Critical Skills, General) and employment contract if available.
   
• Employer's letter confirming job details, salary, and accommodation arrangements.
   
• Bank statement for the last six months showing transactions and sufficient funds.
   
• Valid travel health insurance with an annual premium of approximately €1,594 to cover medical expenses during your stay.
   
• Payment proof of visa and service fees (we discuss more on this below).
• Evidence of qualifications 
  • 3 most recent payslips
  • Regular salary payments to your personal bank account
  • Employment letter from your current employer
  • Personal tax statements
  • Professional certificates
  • Training certificates. 

Certified translation services for work visa by Translayte

When applying for your Ireland work permit, you must include certified translations for any document not in English or Irish. These translations must faithfully reproduce the original document’s text without adding or omitting any content. This attests that the translation was done by proficient Irish/English translators fluent in both languages, a requirement we strictly adhere to at Translayte. Besides certified translation services in Ireland, we also offer notarisation upon request for added authentication, to ensure that your documents meet the highest required standards. 

How much is a work visa in Ireland?

The cost of a work visa in Ireland varies depending on the Irish visa type and validity period. The work visa fee ranges from €500 for a validity of up to six months to €1,000 for a validity of up to 24 months. Renewals cost €1,500 for six to 36 months.

You must also pay a visa processing fee to cover the cost of handling your application. Single entries cost €60 while multiple entries cost €100. 

However, citizens from specific countries who meet certain criteria set by the Irish authorities may qualify for a waiver. Applicants for an Exchange Agreement Permit under international agreements are also eligible for a fee waiver for stays up to two years.

How to get a work visa in Ireland

Once you've applied for your work permit, you can apply for an Irish work visa. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you apply for an Ireland work visa:

• Choose your visa type: Verify which work visa you need, based on your job offer and qualifications. 
   
• Prepare required documents: Gather all the necessary documents, ensuring they are correct and complete. 
   
• Complete the online application: Visit the Online Visa/Preclearance Application Facility (AVATS) to access the online application form. Answer all questions truthfully and in English.  During the application process, you can save your application, exit the online form, and return to complete it - all within 30 days.
   
• Print application summary: After completing the online form, print a summary of your application for your records. 
   
• Submit supporting documents: After submitting the online application, send a signed copy of your application summary and other required supporting documents including the applicable visa fee to the designated office (either an Irish embassy/consulate or a Visa Application Centre). The online summary includes instructions on submitting your application and paying the fees

Ireland work visa processing time

The processing time for an Ireland work visa ranges from four to eight weeks or more from the submission date, depending on the visa type you applied for and the volume of applications received. 

Other factors that determine the processing time include the completeness of your application, required interviews and requests for additional information. Always check the Irish Immigration Service website or contact the nearest Irish embassy or consulate for the most current information. 

Can you transition to residency in Ireland?

You can apply for long-term residency in Ireland as a work permit holder. Typically, you must have lived and worked in Ireland for an extended period. You also have to meet other requirements.  Here's an overview of the eligibility criteria 

• Lived legally in Ireland for 60 months (5 years) 
• Provide qualifying stamps in your passport or valid IRP cards
• You've held an employment permit issued by the DETE
• You've not been an undue burden to the state 
• Haven't broken the condition of your previous permit 
• Have no criminal records or cases with the An Garda Síochána (Irish Police)
• Have a legal employment when making the application
• Legally resident in the state when making the application 

If your application is approved, you will receive a letter from the Immigration Service Delivery office. You will then be asked to pay a fee of €500 within 28 days from the date of that letter. 

Note: Self-employed people aren't allowed to apply for residency through the employment permit path.

Final tips before applying for Ireland work permit

The Irish employment permit application process is done online, but mistakes can delay the process. Here are some tips to help you avoid such 

• Double-check document accuracy and ensure they are up-to-date
• Start early to avoid backlogs
• Know sector-specific rules, e.g. healthcare and IT might have additional requirements. Always confirm before proceeding.
• Use certified translation services to translate documents 
• Use the various employment permit checklists provided by the Irish immigration office to guide your application. 

Need certified translation services for your Ireland work visa application? Request a quote to get started.

Related posts

How To Get An Apostille On Documents Issued In Ireland

Divorce And Your Will In Ireland: Updating Your Will

How To Apply For A Divorce In Ireland