How to get an employment permit to work in Ireland

What it is

To work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless exempt, must hold a valid employment permit from the Department of Enterprise (DETE). It's linked to a specific job and employer.

You don't need one if you're an EU, EEA, Swiss or UK citizen, or if your immigration permission already lets you work (for example Stamp 4, such as the spouse of an Irish citizen). Students on Stamp 2 can work limited hours without one.

Which permit?

The two most common are:

Critical Skills Employment Permit: for jobs on the Critical Skills Occupations List or highly paid jobs. From 1 March 2026, the minimum salary is €40,904. After two years you can usually move to Stamp 4, which lets you work without a permit.
General Employment Permit: for most other jobs not on the ineligible list. From 1 March 2026, the minimum salary is €36,605. The employer usually has to advertise the job first (a labour market needs test).

Lower minimums apply to recent graduates. The minimums are set to rise again over the coming years: check DETE before you accept an offer.

Before you start

You'll need:

A job offer in writing, with the salary, hours and duration.
Your passport and your qualifications (and registration with an Irish professional body, if the job needs it).
Your employer's details, including proof the job was advertised if the permit needs it.

Steps

Check you're eligible on DETE's website: the job's occupation, salary and permit type.
Apply online on DETE's Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). Either you or your employer can apply.
Wait for the decision. DETE publishes its current processing dates.
If you're from a visa-required country, apply for a Long stay (D) visa once you have the permit.
Travel to Ireland and register your immigration permission (IRP card) by the date on your entry stamp.
Start work. Your employer adds you to payroll; you need a PPS number and to register your job with Revenue too.

Cost

A permit fee, shown when you apply (it depends on the permit and its length).

Common pitfalls

Starting work before the permit is granted. Working without one is illegal for you and your employer.
Changing jobs freely. A permit is tied to one employer: changing usually needs a new permit, and there are rules on how soon you can change. Check DETE before you accept a new job.
Accepting a salary below the minimum. The minimums rose on 1 March 2026 and the application is refused below them.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone in a similar job who got their permit recently: they'll know which permit type fitted and how long DETE took.