Doctor 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 doctors, 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: physician, medical doctor, GP, specialist.
What this means for doctors
Of the 1 Republic of Ireland route that commonly fits doctors, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 0 do not, and 1 can lead to permanent residence. Doctors work in a regulated field, so immigration approval is only half the journey: in most countries you must also clear a separate professional-registration or licensing step before you can practise in Republic of Ireland. That recognition process often takes as long as the visa itself, so it is worth starting in parallel.
The most-used skilled route into Republic of Ireland overall is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which also fits many doctors — 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 doctors
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 doctors moving to Republic of Ireland?+
Republic of Ireland has 1 route that commonly fits doctors: 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 doctors need a job offer to move to Republic of Ireland?+
For the routes that fit doctors 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 doctors 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.
Do doctors need to requalify or register to work in Republic of Ireland?+
Doctors work in a regulated field, so immigration approval is only half the journey: in most countries you must also clear a separate professional-registration or licensing step before you can practise in Republic of Ireland. That recognition process often takes as long as the visa itself, so it is worth starting in parallel.
What salary do doctors 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).