Ireland
Ireland is an EU member outside Schengen, with English-speaking cities and employer-led employment permits such as Critical Skills as the main skilled route.
For information only. Visa rules, processing times, and eligibility criteria change frequently. All information on this page is sourced from official government websites and verified as of the date shown. Always confirm your specific situation with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying. Full disclaimer ↗
Visa & Immigration Guide for Ireland
This guide covers all main visa routes for non-EU professionals moving to Ireland, including eligibility requirements, processing times, fees, and step-by-step application instructions.
Applying from your home country:
Not a degree holder? You're still welcome.
Ireland’s visa table includes the General Employment Permit for many roles that are not on the Critical Skills list, plus Intra-Company Transfer and Join Family routes — expand each row below for steps and official links. Further down you’ll find a deeper General Employment Permit guide.
Visa Types at a Glance
| Visa type | Who it's for | Typical processing | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit | The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence in the State. | 1+ weeks (current DETE queue) | €1,000 |
| General Employment Permit | General Employment Permits are the primary vehicle used by the State to attract 3rd country nationals for occupations which are experiencing a labour or skills shortage. | 5+ weeks (current DETE queue) | €1,000 |
| Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit | The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit is designed to facilitate the transfer of senior management, key personnel or trainees who are non-EEA nationals from an overseas branch of a multinational corporation (Foreign Employer) to its Irish branch (Connected Person). | 1+ weeks (current DETE queue) | €1,000 |
| Join Family visa (long stay D) | If you wish to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with your non EEA family member then you must, if you are a visa-required national, be granted a long stay (join family) visa in order to travel to Ireland. | up to 12 months (ISD target) | €60 |
Detailed visa guides
Min. salary
€40,904
Typical processing
1+ weeks (current DETE queue)
Typical fee
€1,000
Step-by-step process
- 1 An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
- 2 An application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit can be made on Employment Permits Online.
- 3 You may also have to apply for a visa to come to Ireland.
- 4 Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have to register and get an Irish Residence Permit.
Min. salary
€36,605
Typical processing
5+ weeks (current DETE queue)
Typical fee
€1,000
Step-by-step process
- 1 An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
- 2 An application can be made on Employment Permits Online.
- 3 You may also have to apply for a visa to come to Ireland.
- 4 Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have to register and get an Irish Residence Permit.
Min. salary
€49,523
Typical processing
1+ weeks (current DETE queue)
Typical fee
€1,000
Step-by-step process
- 1 An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
- 2 An application can be made on Employment Permits Online.
- 3 You may also have to apply for a visa to come to Ireland.
- 4 Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have to register and get an Irish Residence Permit.
Typical processing
up to 12 months (ISD target)
Typical fee
€60
Step-by-step process
- 1 Apply for an Irish visa online via AVATS
- 2 You must print, sign and date the summary form and submit it with your supporting documentation.
- 3 You may be required to provide your biometrics information as part of the application process.
- 4 Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have to register and get an Irish Residence Permit.
General document requirements
- ✓ An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
- ✓ An application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit can be made on Employment Permits Online.
- ✓ You may also have to apply for a visa to come to Ireland.
- ✓ Once you have arrived in Ireland, you have to register and get an Irish Residence Permit.
- ✓ An application can be made on Employment Permits Online.
- ✓ Apply for an Irish visa online via AVATS
- ✓ You must print, sign and date the summary form and submit it with your supporting documentation.
- ✓ You may be required to provide your biometrics information as part of the application process.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland’s main skilled-migration route for roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List or high earners. DETE issues the permit; Immigration Service Delivery handles registration after arrival. Family reunification can be immediate for permit holders in Category B.
- Job offer of at least 2 years
- CSOL occupation with degree: minimum €40,904 annual remuneration
- Any other eligible occupation: over €68,911 annual remuneration (not on the Ineligible List)
- Employer must meet the DETE EEA workforce rule at application time (unless exempt)
Essential Worker & Trade Visas
Ireland has a growing demand for skilled tradespeople and essential workers across construction, hospitality, logistics, and agriculture. These visas are available for workers without university degrees.
General Employment Permit
The standard employment permit when your role is not on the Critical Skills list but still qualifies under labour-market rules. Salary floors stepped up on the March 2026 minimum-remuneration roadmap — confirm thresholds on the DETE page before you apply.
- Occupation not on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits
- Minimum annual remuneration of €36,605 for most roles (from 1 Mar 2026 roadmap)
- Lower threshold applies for listed care, horticulture, and meat-processing roles — see the table row
- Employer applies to DETE; you register with Immigration Service Delivery after entry
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