Republic of Ireland visas
Ireland operates an employment permits system administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), with immigration permissions separately issued by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). The Critical Skills Employment Permit is the headline route for high-skill migration.
7 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 6 lead to settlement
Official portal
Regulators of immigration advice
- Law Society of Ireland (Law Society) — Regulates solicitors in Ireland who may provide immigration advice.
Visa routes (7)
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Fast-track employment permit for high-skill roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
General Employment Permit
Sponsored employment permit for roles not on the Critical Skills list but above the general salary threshold.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Residence programme for founders establishing a High Potential Start-Up in Ireland.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Stamp 4 permission
Long-term residence permission allowing unrestricted work in Ireland.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Irish Student visa (Stamp 2)
Study permission for international students enrolled at eligible Irish institutions on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Join Family (Irish national or EEA national)
Family reunification permission for spouses, civil partners, and dependants of Irish or EEA nationals resident in Ireland.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP — closed)
Historic golden-visa equivalent; closed to new applications from 15 February 2023.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Recent Republic of Ireland policy changes
·material
Ireland announces employment-permit occupation list changes
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced occupation-list changes to support housing, health and transport needs, including additions to the Critical Skills Occupation List and removals from the Ineligible Occupations List.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Ireland have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Ireland visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, entrepreneur, general residence, study, family, and investor. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Ireland visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 7 Republic of Ireland routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Ireland visas lead to permanent residence?+
6 of the 7 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Ireland