What is the Ireland General Employment Permit?
The General Employment Permit is Ireland's main work permit for roles that don't qualify for the Critical Skills route. It covers any occupation not on the Ineligible Occupations List, provided the salary meets the threshold, and the employer has conducted a Labour Market Needs Test to show the role could not be filled locally. The permit is initially granted for up to 2 years, renewable for a further 3 years. After approximately 5 years of continuous employment, the holder becomes eligible for Stamp 4 — open work permission without the need for a further permit. Unlike the Critical Skills route, spouses must obtain their own separate employment permit to work in Ireland.
Note: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet one requirement for the General Employment Permit: a qualifying job offer. If an employer offers a role that meets the criteria and confirms they will sponsor the permit, the job already satisfies the salary threshold, occupation eligibility, and employer requirements. Unlike the Critical Skills route, the employer must also complete a Labour Market Needs Test before the application is submitted.
You cannot apply for the General Employment Permit without a job offer of at least 12 months from an Irish employer registered with Revenue and the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The role must not appear on the Ineligible Occupations List. The salary must meet the threshold outlined in the next section. The employer must have completed a Labour Market Needs Test before the application is submitted (see the application timeline for details).
2026 salary requirements
Figures effective from 1 March 2026, gross (before tax). Thresholds are part of a phased increase running through 2030. If an employer offers a role knowing you need a permit, the salary will already be compliant — these figures are useful as a reference.
Hourly rate note: The standard threshold of €36,605 is based on a 39-hour week (€18.05/hour). A 40-hour week requires a minimum salary of €37,544. Basic salary must at least meet the National Minimum Wage (€14.15/hour in 2026).
What counts toward the salary: Basic salary must at least meet the National Minimum Wage (€14.15/hour in 2026) as the foundation of the remuneration package. Health insurance payments made by the employer to a registered health insurer can also count toward the threshold. Bonuses, allowances, and non-cash benefits generally cannot be used to meet the minimum.
Labour Market Needs Test exemptions on salary: If the role pays more than €68,911 per year, no Labour Market Needs Test is required regardless of occupation — though the role must still not appear on the Ineligible Occupations List. Roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List are also exempt from the test but would typically qualify for a Critical Skills Employment Permit instead.
What you need to apply
If you have a job offer that meets the salary threshold and the employer has completed the Labour Market Needs Test, the items below are what you'll need. Most sit with you. A few sit with the employer. Some only apply to certain circumstances — those are flagged below.
If you do not have any of the documents below, you can read the FAQs section below for further guidance.
Most common delay: Labour Market Needs Test non-compliance. Advertisements that ran for fewer than 28 days, were modified during the advertising period, showed the wrong salary, or lacked specific documented reasons for rejecting EEA candidates are the leading causes of application refusal. Get the test right the first time — repeating it adds another month.
What to expect, step by step
From the employer deciding to hire to the candidate starting work in Ireland typically takes 14–24 weeks. This is significantly longer than the Critical Skills route, mainly because of the mandatory Labour Market Needs Test (28 days on specific platforms) and slower processing times (9–11 weeks). If the employer has already been advertising on the correct platforms with the correct details, the LMNT may already be satisfied — confirm with the employer before assuming the 28-day clock needs to restart.
Either the candidate or the employer submits the application through Employment Permits Online (EPOS) within 90 days of the first advertisement date. The application must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date. The fee is €500 (6 months or less) or €1,000 (6–24 months).
DETE processes the application. Current processing times are approximately 9–11 weeks for new General Employment Permit applications. If documents are missing or incomplete, the application is returned and the timeline resets. DETE may issue a Request for Further Information (RFI) during processing — responses should be provided within the specified timeframe.
If the candidate is from a visa-required country, apply for a D visa at the Irish embassy or consulate after receiving the permit approval. The visa fee is €60 (single entry) or €100 (multiple entry). Processing takes 4–8 weeks. If visa-exempt, travel directly to Ireland with the permit approval letter. All relevant documentation, including the original employment permit, must be available for inspection by an immigration officer at the port of entry.
On arrival, register with the local immigration office within 90 days to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card with Stamp 1 permission. The registration fee is €300. Begin employment with the sponsoring employer.
Frequently asked questions
This is one of the biggest differences from the Critical Skills route. Spouses, partners, and dependants of General Employment Permit holders are not eligible for a free Dependant Employment Permit. If a spouse or partner wants to work in Ireland, they must apply for a separate employment permit in their own right — meaning they need their own qualifying job offer from an Irish employer. Family reunification (living together in Ireland) can be applied for after 12 months of employment, but the spouse's right to work depends on obtaining their own permit, not yours.
A mandatory process requiring the employer to advertise the vacancy for at least 28 consecutive days on the Department of Social Protection (DSP) Employment Services / European Employment Services (EURES) network and one additional online platform. The purpose is to demonstrate that the role could not be filled from within Ireland or the EEA. Advertisements must include the job description, employer name, location, weekly hours, and minimum annual salary — and must not be amended or extended during the 28-day period. EEA candidates who apply must be genuinely considered, and documented specific reasons must be given for rejecting them. The application must be filed within 90 days of the first advertisement date. Exemptions exist for roles paying over €68,911, roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List, and roles recommended by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.
Budget €1,500–€2,000 for one applicant. The permit application fee is €500 for permits of 6 months or less, or €1,000 for permits of 6–24 months. Renewals cost €750 (6 months or less) or €1,500 (6–36 months). If the application is refused, 90% is refunded. Add the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration (~€300) and the D visa fee if applicable (€60–€100). The employer cannot deduct the application fee from wages or recover it from the permit holder — this is a legal protection under the Employment Permits Act 2024.
Five main differences. First, Stamp 4 timing: the General permit takes approximately 57 months — the Critical Skills permit takes 21 months. Second, spouse work rights: Critical Skills holders' spouses get a free Dependant Employment Permit and can work for any employer immediately; General permit holders' spouses must obtain their own separate employment permit with their own job offer. Third, Labour Market Needs Test: required for the General permit but not the Critical Skills route. Fourth, contract length: 12 months minimum for the General permit vs. 2 years for Critical Skills. Fifth, family reunification: immediate for Critical Skills; after 12 months for the General permit. If the role qualifies for the Critical Skills route, it is almost always the better option.
There is no English language requirement for the permit — no test, no minimum level. Ireland is an English-speaking country, and most roles qualifying under this permit are conducted in English. Some employers may ask for proof of English proficiency as part of their hiring process, but this is the employer's decision, not a government requirement.
Notify DETE within 4 weeks of being made redundant using the prescribed Notification of Redundancy Form. You have 6 months to find a new qualifying position. During this period, residence permission remains valid. A new Labour Market Needs Test is not required for redundant permit holders. If the original job title is no longer eligible, the application will still be considered if a new job offer with the same title is found. If no new job is found within 6 months, contact the immigration authorities to clarify residence status.
Yes. The initial permit is granted for up to 2 years. It can be renewed for a further 3 years (fee: €750 for 6 months or less, €1,500 for 6–36 months). The renewal application must meet the current salary threshold at the time of renewal — if thresholds have risen since the original permit, the salary must be adjusted accordingly. After approximately 57 months of total continuous employment, the holder becomes eligible for Stamp 4, which removes the need for further permits. Holders who have been in continuous employment with the same employer for 5 years or more may apply for an unlimited-duration renewal at no fee.
It depends on where and how the role was advertised. The LMNT has specific requirements: the advertisement must run for at least 28 consecutive days on the Department of Social Protection (DSP) Employment Services / European Employment Services (EURES) network and on one additional online platform. It must state the job description, employer name, location, weekly hours, and minimum annual salary. It must not be amended or extended during the 28-day period. If the employer has been advertising on general job boards but not on the DSP/EURES network, or if the advertisement did not include the required salary information, it does not satisfy the test — even if the role has been open for months. The employer may need to re-advertise on the correct platforms before the permit application can be submitted.
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