How to Apply for the Critical Skills Employment Permit
The short answer: once you have a qualifying 2-year job offer, you or your employer apply online through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), pay the €1,000 fee, and — as of mid-2026 — typically receive a decision in under 3 weeks. No Labour Market Needs Test is required.
Before you apply: the three eligibility checks
- Occupation: the role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or pays €68,911+ and is not on the Ineligible List.
- Salary: the base salary meets the 2026 threshold for your route (€40,904 standard / €36,848 graduate / €68,911 non-listed).
- Contract: full-time, minimum 2 years, from an employer registered and trading in Ireland. At least 50% of the company's employees must be EEA nationals (the "50:50 rule"), with limited exceptions for start-ups.
The application sequence
| Step | Who | Typical time (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Job offer and signed 2-year contract | You + employer | — |
| 2. EPOS application + €1,000 fee | You or employer | Same day |
| 3. Permit processing | Department of Enterprise | Under 3 weeks standard; faster for Trusted Partner employers |
| 4. D visa (visa-required nationals only) | You | 4–8 weeks |
| 5. Travel + immigration registration (IRP card, Stamp 1) | You | Days to weeks after arrival |
Documents you will need
- Passport (valid for the full permit period) and a passport-style photo
- Signed employment contract showing role, salary and 2-year duration
- Degree certificate or evidence of equivalent experience for the role
- Employer details: company registration and revenue registration numbers
- For regulated professions (medicine, nursing, teaching): registration with the relevant Irish professional body
Fees and refunds
The fee is €1,000 per application, payable by you or your employer. If the application is refused, 90% (€900) is refunded. A refusal can be appealed within 28 days at no extra cost, and a fresh application can be submitted at any time once the issue is fixed.
After approval
Non-visa-required nationals (e.g. Brazil, USA) can travel once the permit issues. Visa-required nationals (e.g. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines) apply for a long-stay D employment visa first. After arrival, register with immigration to get your Irish Residence Permit card with Stamp 1 — and the 21-month clock towards Stamp 4 starts running.
Frequently asked questions
How long does processing take?
As of mid-2026, typically under 3 weeks for standard applications, faster for Trusted Partner employers. Add 4–8 weeks for the D visa if your nationality requires one.
Can I apply myself, or must the employer?
Either can apply on EPOS. In practice most employers handle it, but the applicant is allowed to submit and pay directly.
What if my application is refused?
You get 90% of the fee back, can request a review within 28 days, and can reapply once the issue (salary, documents, occupation match) is corrected.
Step 1 is the job offer — start there
Everything in this guide depends on landing a qualifying offer. Browse live vacancies from Irish employers with verified sponsorship history.
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