Accountant visa routes in Republic of Ireland
Thinking about Republic of Ireland as a place to work? Below is the 1 Republic of Ireland visa route that most commonly fits accountants, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: chartered accountant, CA, CPA, finance professional.
What this means for accountants
Of the 1 Republic of Ireland route that commonly fits accountants, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 0 do not, and 1 can lead to permanent residence. Accountants are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Republic of Ireland overall is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which also fits many accountants — it is included below.
Typical figures — Critical Skills Employment Permit
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
€40,904/yr
Critical Skills Employment Permit — general floor
Verified 1 March 2026 · DETE — Critical Skills Employment Permit →
Government cost
€1,300
Single applicant, non-visa-required nationality
CSEP permit holders can sponsor family immediately. Each family IRP is €300. D-visas for visa-required dependants are €60 each.
Verified 1 June 2026 · DETE — Fees for employment permits →
How long it takes
3 weeks – 6 weeks
DETE publishes current processing dates weekly; Critical Skills Employment Permits are consistently prioritised over General permits, typically 3–6 weeks for trusted-partner employers.
Verified 1 June 2026 · DETE — Employment permits current processing dates →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → Stamp 4 (2 years on CSEP, 5 on GEP) → citizenship (5 years reckonable, typically year 6–7 from arrival).
Leads to Long-Term Residence / Stamp 4, then Irish citizenship.
Routes that fit accountants
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit | €40,904/yr | 3 weeks – 6 weeks | Yes |
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 15 October 2025In force 15 October 2025
Ireland refreshes Critical Skills Occupation List
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published a refreshed Critical Skills Occupation List, adding several construction and care-related roles and tightening criteria for some ICT roles.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland) →
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit accountants moving to Republic of Ireland?+
Republic of Ireland has 1 route that commonly fits accountants: Critical Skills Employment Permit. The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do accountants need a job offer to move to Republic of Ireland?+
For the routes that fit accountants here, yes — all 1 require a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. Securing that offer is usually the first and slowest step, so it is worth starting there.
Can accountants settle permanently in Republic of Ireland?+
Yes. 1 of the 1 matched route leads toward settlement or permanent residence. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
What salary do accountants need for the Critical Skills Employment Permit in Republic of Ireland?+
The Critical Skills Employment Permit — general floor floor is €40,904/yr, effective 1 March 2026 (DETE — Critical Skills Employment Permit). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How much does the Critical Skills Employment Permit cost in government fees?+
For the worked example (Single applicant, non-visa-required nationality), government fees total about €1,300 (DETE — Fees for employment permits, verified 1 June 2026). Treat as indicative and confirm the current schedule on the official source.
How long does the Critical Skills Employment Permit take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 3 weeks – 6 weeks (DETE — Employment permits current processing dates, verified 1 June 2026).