Republic of Ireland · Processing time
General Employment Permit: how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
DETE typically processes General Employment Permits in 6–13 weeks; non-trusted-partner applications sit at the longer end.
How long does the General Employment Permit take to process in Ireland?
The typical published decision window is 6 weeks – 3 months from a complete application. DETE typically processes General Employment Permits in 6–13 weeks; non-trusted-partner applications sit at the longer end.
Verified against DETE — Employment permits current processing dates on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
6 weeks – 3 months
from complete application
Government fees
€1,000 for 2 years.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the General Employment Permit?
Sponsored employment permit for roles not on the Critical Skills list but above the general salary threshold.
The General Employment Permit covers occupations not listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List, provided they are not on the Ineligible List. A Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is normally required unless exempt. Minimum salary was raised to €36,605 on 1 March 2026 (from €34,000).
- Sponsorship: You need a job offer or employer sponsor in Republic of Ireland.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Republic of Ireland.
- Typical permit length: 2 years initially; renewable; longer-term residence possible after 5 years.
- Indicative government fees: €1,000 for 2 years.
How to read this estimate
The 6 weeks – 3 months window is the time DETE — Employment permits current processing dates typically associates with the General Employment Permit — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The DETE — Employment permits current processing dates page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official 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?+
The typical wait is 6 weeks – 3 months from submitting a complete application. 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 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 6 weeks – 3 months clock start?+
The clock starts when DETE — Employment permits current processing dates receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Ireland routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my General Employment Permit application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (6 weeks – 3 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.