Ireland Employment Permit Occupation Updates 2026
Ireland reviewed its employment-permit occupation lists in response to labour shortages.
In May 2026, the government announced 32 changes involving occupations across construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food.
These included:
- Six roles recommended for Critical Skills Employment Permits
- Nine roles recommended for General Employment Permits without quota
- Two roles recommended for General Employment Permits subject to newly established quotas
- Fifteen roles where existing General Employment Permit quotas were renewed
This is significant for people looking for Ireland jobs with sponsorship because an occupation that was previously ineligible may now have a route to an employment permit, while other occupations can be subject to quotas or other restrictions.
Ireland Critical Skills Occupations List 2026
The current Critical Skills Occupations List became effective on 13 May 2026.
The list uses the Standard Occupational Classification system and identifies specific occupations and, in some cases, specific skills within broader occupational categories.
This means that simply having a job title that sounds similar to an occupation on the list is not enough.
For example, two positions may have similar job titles but different responsibilities and occupational classifications.
Applicants should therefore examine:
- The exact occupation
- The required qualification
- The job duties
- The relevant occupation classification
- The salary
- The employer
- Any additional conditions
before assuming that they qualify.
Labour Market Needs Test for Ireland Employment Permits
A Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is required for many General Employment Permit applications.
The purpose is generally to demonstrate that an employer has attempted to recruit workers from the Irish/EEA labour market before seeking to employ a non-EEA national.
There are exceptions.
For example, some occupations eligible under the Critical Skills route do not require an LMNT, and certain high-salary positions can qualify for an exemption.
The exact rules depend on the employment permit and occupation.
This is one reason applicants should not assume that any Irish employer can simply sponsor any foreign worker.
Ireland Employment Permit Processing Times 2026
Employment-permit processing times are not a fixed number of days.
DETE processes applications according to the date fully completed applications and applicable fees are received.
As of 29 July 2026, the department reported that it was processing:
| Permit category | Applications being processed from |
|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit | 15 July 2026 |
| New General Employment Permit | 24 June 2026 |
| Other new applications | 24 July 2026 |
| New Intra-Company Transfer | 2 July 2026 |
| Renewal applications | 17 April 2026 |
| Reviews/appeals | 30 December 2025 |
These dates are a snapshot and can change quickly. DETE updates its processing dates regularly.
Therefore, it would be misleading to tell applicants that an Irish employment permit will always be processed within a specific number of weeks.
The safest approach is to check the official processing-date page immediately before applying.
How Early Should You Apply for an Ireland Employment Permit?
DETE states that an employment-permit application must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
This does not mean that every application takes exactly 12 weeks.
It means applicants and employers should plan well ahead.
A person who receives a job offer shortly before the proposed start date may not have enough time to complete the employment-permit and visa process.
Ireland Employment Permits Online
Ireland’s employment-permit system moved to Employment Permits Online, which launched on 28 April 2025.
The system allows applicants and employers to submit and manage employment-permit applications online.
The move is intended to make the application process more streamlined and secure.
Applicants should use the official employment-permit system rather than paying an unofficial website to submit an application.
Ireland Employment Permit Fees 2026
Employment-permit fees vary depending on the type and duration of the permit.
Critical Skills Employment Permit Fee
The current processing fee for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is:
€1,000
The permit can generally be issued for up to 24 months.
If an application is unsuccessful, 90% of the processing fee is refunded under the current rules.
General Employment Permit Fee
For a new General Employment Permit:
- €500 for a permit of six months or less
- €1,000 for a permit from more than six months up to 24 months
For renewals:
- €750 for a permit of six months or less
- €1,500 for a permit from more than six months up to 36 months
If an application is unsuccessful, 90% of the processing fee is refunded under the current rules.
Who Pays the Employment Permit Fee?
The payment arrangements depend on who submits the application.
However, Irish law places restrictions on employers recovering certain employment-permit-related charges from permit holders.
Where the employer is the applicant, the employer or its agent cannot deduct from the employee’s remuneration or seek to recover from the permit holder charges, fees or expenses related to the employment-permit application in circumstances covered by the legislation.
This is important for international workers because some fraudulent recruiters may demand large “sponsorship fees.”
Always verify what a payment actually represents before handing over money.
Ireland Visa Fees 2026
The standard Irish visa fees currently listed by Immigration Service Delivery are:
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | €60 |
| Multiple-entry visa | €100 |
| Transit visa | €25 |
Some applicants are exempt from visa fees, and additional charges may apply depending on where documents are submitted.
These are visa fees, not employment-permit fees.
Someone applying to work in Ireland may therefore have separate costs for:
- Employment permit
- Entry visa, if required
- Document submission
- Biometrics where applicable
- Medical or other required documentation
- Travel
- Immigration registration after arrival
Ireland Work Visa Processing Times 2026
Irish visa processing times vary according to the visa type, application office and volume of applications.
Immigration Service Delivery publishes current visa decision dates for applications handled in Dublin and advises applicants to check the relevant visa office when their application is being processed elsewhere.
As of the July 2026 update, the Dublin visa office was processing employment visa applications received on 25 May 2026.
The same update showed that visa processing dates differed significantly between employment, study, tourism and family-related applications.
This demonstrates why giving every Irish visa applicant a fixed processing time would be inaccurate.
Visa processing can change during the year, particularly during periods of high application volumes.
How to Apply for an Ireland Work Visa in 2026
If you are a visa-required national planning to work in Ireland, the general process is:
Step 1: Find a Genuine Irish Job
Start by finding a genuine job with an Irish employer.
The position must be eligible for the relevant employment permit.
Do not begin by paying an agent for “visa sponsorship.”
Start with the job.
Step 2: Check the Occupation
Determine whether the job qualifies for:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit
- General Employment Permit
- Another employment-permit category
Check the current occupation lists rather than relying on old blog posts or social-media lists.
Step 3: Check the Salary
Confirm that the proposed salary satisfies the applicable minimum annual remuneration and any occupation-specific requirements.
For 2026, the general thresholds have increased.
Step 4: Obtain the Employment Permit
The appropriate employment-permit application must be submitted through the official Employment Permits Online system.
The application generally needs to be submitted at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date.
Step 5: Apply for an Irish Visa if Required
Once the employment-permit requirements are satisfied, visa-required applicants can proceed with the relevant Irish visa application.
Immigration Service Delivery provides the appropriate process for people coming to Ireland to work.
Step 6: Travel to Ireland
If your visa is approved, you can travel according to the conditions of your permission.
Remember that having a visa does not remove the need to comply with immigration requirements at the Irish border.
Step 7: Register if Staying More Than 90 Days
People who need to register their immigration permission must complete the registration process after arriving in Ireland.
