Republic of Ireland
General Employment Permit processing time
DETE typically processes General Employment Permits in 6–13 weeks; non-trusted-partner applications sit at the longer end.
Typical window
6 weeks – 3 months
Government fees
€1,000 for 2 years.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
General Employment Permit sits in the work sponsored category. Typical duration: 2 years initially; renewable; longer-term residence possible after 5 years.. Indicative government fees: €1,000 for 2 years..
- Requires a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Workers in mid-skill roles not on the Critical Skills list, Employers with labour shortages in Ineligible-Excluded occupations.
Primary source
DETE — Employment permits current processing dates
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/current-application-processing-dates/
Frequently asked questions
How long does the General Employment Permit take to process?
DETE typically processes General Employment Permits in 6–13 weeks; non-trusted-partner applications sit at the longer end. These figures come from DETE — Employment permits current processing dates and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.