Republic of Ireland · work sponsored · Leads to settlement
General Employment Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Sponsored employment permit for roles not on the Critical Skills list but above the general salary threshold.
- 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
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the General Employment Permit for Republic of Ireland has typical processing of 6 weeks – 3 months. Sources: official Republic of Ireland government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/ireland/general-employment-permit#answer
What is the General Employment Permit in Republic of Ireland?
General Employment Permit is a sponsor-led Ireland route. Indicative government fees are €1,000 for 2 years; indicative processing time is Typically 8–12 weeks; typical duration is 2 years initially; renewable; longer-term residence possible after 5 years. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on 22 June 2026.
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 announces employment-permit occupation list changes28 May 2026
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.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Filipino applicants
Filipino nationals are heavily represented in General Employment Permit grants for healthcare support, retail, and hospi…
Indian applicants
Indian nationals using the General Employment Permit typically do so where the role does not meet Critical Skills thresh…
Nigerian applicants
Nigerian applicants face extra documentary requirements on qualification verification. Budget for a Quality and Qualific…
Brazilian applicants
Brazilian General Employment Permit applicants concentrate in hospitality, healthcare support, and retail roles. Labour …
Pakistani applicants
Pakistani General Employment Permit applicants are concentrated in retail (small-business sponsors), restaurant/takeaway…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Job offer above the minimum salary threshold for the year of application.Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
- ✓Occupation not on the Ineligible Occupations List.Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
- ✓Labour Market Needs Test satisfied by the employer, unless exempt.Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
Common blockers
- !Occupation on the Ineligible Occupations List.
- !Employer does not run or satisfy the LMNT.Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Signed employment contract.Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
- ·Evidence of LMNT compliance (advertisement in qualifying media).Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Ireland) ↗
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
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 + sponsorApply 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
- ApplyApplicantApply 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
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.
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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 in IrelandHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Last checked: 22 June 2026