4 routes into Ireland.
Work visa
Ireland
Run by Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE)
Skilled workers with a job offer of at least 2 years in an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List paying at least EUR 40,904, or in almost any eligible occupation paying over EUR 68,911. When the permit expires, holders can apply to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4.
- Job offer
- Required, for at least 2 years
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- A relevant degree or higher for the EUR 40,904 list occupations; without a degree you need the necessary experience for jobs over EUR 68,911
- Work experience
- Needed instead of a degree for jobs paying over EUR 68,911
- Government fee
- EUR 1,000 (90% refunded if refused)
- Processing time
- Not stated on the official page
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid to DETE with the application on Employment Permits Online. The employee or the employer can apply.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on enterprise.gov.ie on 2026-10-18: "a relevant degree qualification or higher is required"; thresholds "€36,848", "€40,904", "€68,911"; fee: "The processing fee for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is €1,000."; "The prospective employee or the employer can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit."
Work visa
Ireland
Run by Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE)
Workers with a job offer in any occupation not on the Ineligible List, generally paying at least EUR 36,605 (EUR 32,691 for horticulture, meat processing, health care assistant and home support roles). A Labour Market Needs Test is required in most cases.
- Job offer
- Required, with a signed contract of employment
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- The relevant qualifications, skills or experience for the job
- Work experience
- The relevant qualifications, skills or experience for the job
- Government fee
- EUR 1,000 for a permit of 6 months up to 24 months; EUR 500 for 6 months or less
- Processing time
- Not stated on the official page
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid to DETE with the application. Either the worker or the employer can apply. If the employer applies, it may not recover the fee from the worker.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on enterprise.gov.ie on 2026-10-18: "Minimum annual remuneration - is generally €36,605"; "€1,000 for an employment permit from 6 months up to 24 months duration"; "Either the foreign national or the prospective employer can apply for a General Employment Permit." Another official page.
Job seeker visa
Ireland
Run by Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Non-EEA graduates of a recognised Irish awarding body with a level 8 or level 9 award, on Stamp 2, who want to stay and look for graduate work. Level 8: 12 months. Level 9 or above: 12 months, renewable for 12 more.
- Job offer
- Not required
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- A level 8 or level 9 award or above from a recognised Irish awarding body
- Work experience
- Not required
- Government fee
- EUR 300 registration fee per person
- Processing time
- Not stated on the official page
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid when you register the permission with immigration. You must apply within six months of being told you achieved the award.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on irishimmigration.ie on 2026-10-18: "hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised Irish awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of twelve months"; "You must pay a fee of €300 per person to register." Another official page.
Study, then work
Ireland
Run by Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Students enrolled on a programme on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for more than 3 months. Students on Stamp 2 may work up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 hours in the holiday months.
- Job offer
- Not required
- Language
- You must show you can do your chosen course in English (or Irish). Higher education providers set the standard of English.
- Education
- Evidence you can follow your chosen course, such as previous exam results or qualifications
- Work experience
- Not required
- Government fee
- Visa fee EUR 60 single entry or EUR 100 multi entry (nationals of Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia are exempt), plus EUR 300 registration fee after arrival
- Processing time
- Not stated on the official page
- Money you must show
- Immediate access to at least EUR 10,000 for the first year and EUR 10,000 for each later year, plus course fees. At least EUR 6,000 of course fees (or the full fee if under EUR 6,000) must be paid before you apply.
- When and to whom you pay
- Visa fee paid when you apply through AVATS, not refunded if refused; registration fee paid in Ireland when you register
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on irishimmigration.ie on 2026-10-18: "If you wish to come to Ireland to study for more than 3 months, you need to apply for a long term study visa."; finances page: "immediate access to at least €10,000"; fees page: "Single entry" "€60", "Multi entry" "€100" Another official page. Another official page. Another official page.