Republic of Ireland · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

General Employment Permit

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 1 June 2026

Sponsored employment permit for roles not on the Critical Skills list but above the general salary threshold.

Requires employer sponsorshipLeads to permanent residency2 years initially; renewable; longer-term residence possible after 5 years.In flux

Processing time: Typically 8–12 weeks.
Government fees: €1,000 for 2 years.
Typical duration: 2 years initially; renewable; longer-term residence possible after 5 years.
Sponsorship required: Yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 1 June 2026Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment ↗

Overview

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).

Recent changes to this route

Ireland refreshes Critical Skills Occupation List15 October 2025
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.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Job offer above the minimum salary threshold for the year of application.
✓Occupation not on the Ineligible Occupations List.
✓Labour Market Needs Test satisfied by the employer, unless exempt.

Common blockers

!Occupation on the Ineligible Occupations List.
!Employer does not run or satisfy the LMNT.

Typical evidence

·Signed employment contract.
·Evidence of LMNT compliance (advertisement in qualifying media).

Application pathway

Confirm occupation eligibility
Check that the role is not on the Ineligible Occupations List.
Employer conducts LMNT
Advertise the role in a national newspaper and on EURES, Jobs Ireland, and one other media source for the required period, unless exempt.
Submit permit application
Employer or employee submits via EPOS.
Obtain visa if required and travel
Non-EEA nationals from visa-required countries apply for an entry visa.
Register with ISD on arrival
Receive Stamp 1 permission.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official portalApplicant + sponsor
Apply for an employment permit ↗
Applicant or employer uses Employment Permits Online to submit and track the General Employment Permit application.
Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment · verified 1 June 2026
ApplyApplicant
Apply for an Irish employment visa ↗
Visa-required applicants use AVATS to create the long-stay visa application after the permit is granted.
Immigration Service Delivery · verified 1 June 2026

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: €1,000 for 2 years.. A decision then typically takes 6 weeks – 3 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

Processing time detail
Current decision windows from the issuing authority.

Matches these professions

Nurse Care worker Researcher Finance professional

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Related routes

Critical Skills Employment Permit
Fast-track employment permit for high-skill roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List.

Frequently asked questions

Can spouses work on a General Employment Permit?+

Spouses of General Employment Permit holders receive Stamp 3 permission, which does not permit work. They can apply for their own employment permit if they secure a qualifying offer. This is a key difference from the Critical Skills route.

What is the minimum salary for the General Employment Permit?+

The minimum salary for the General Employment Permit was raised to €36,605 on 1 March 2026 (from €34,000). Thresholds have been revised multiple times since 2024, so verify the current figure for your occupation on the DETE website before applying.

Does my employer have to run a Labour Market Needs Test for a General Employment Permit?+

Normally yes. Unless the role is exempt, the employer must satisfy a Labour Market Needs Test by advertising the role in a national newspaper and on EURES, Jobs Ireland, and one other media source for the required period. If the employer does not run or satisfy this test, it is a common reason applications fail.

How long does a General Employment Permit take to process?+

A General Employment Permit decision typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks. Check current DETE processing times before planning your move.

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 →

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Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Job offer above the minimum salary threshold for the year of application.
✓Occupation not on the Ineligible Occupations List.
✓Labour Market Needs Test satisfied by the employer, unless exempt.

Common blockers

!Occupation on the Ineligible Occupations List.
!Employer does not run or satisfy the LMNT.

Typical evidence

·Signed employment contract.
·Evidence of LMNT compliance (advertisement in qualifying media).

Application pathway

Confirm occupation eligibility

Check that the role is not on the Ineligible Occupations List.

Employer conducts LMNT

Advertise the role in a national newspaper and on EURES, Jobs Ireland, and one other media source for the required period, unless exempt.

Submit permit application

Employer or employee submits via EPOS.

Obtain visa if required and travel

Non-EEA nationals from visa-required countries apply for an entry visa.

Receive Stamp 1 permission.