Insights

"Sponsorship" in Ireland means an employment permit

If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK, you will usually need an employment permit to work in Ireland. People often call this "visa sponsorship", but in Ireland the system works a little differently from countries like the UK or the US.

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Permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE). The permit is linked to a specific job offer from an employer registered and trading in Ireland. Once you arrive, your permission to stay is registered separately with the Immigration Service.

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The two main routes

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP). Designed for highly skilled roles that are in short supply in Ireland. Its main advantages:

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• No Labour Market Needs Test, so the employer does not have to advertise the role locally first.

• Your spouse or partner can join you and work.

• You can apply for Stamp 4, which lets you work without a permit, after 21 months of employment.

• Either you or your employer can apply.

• The job offer must be for at least two years.

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You qualify in one of two ways: your occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List and meets the standard salary threshold, or your occupation is not on that list (and not on the Ineligible List) but the salary meets the higher threshold.

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General Employment Permit (GEP). Covers a wider range of occupations not on the Critical Skills list. In most cases the employer must first complete a Labour Market Needs Test, advertising the role for 28 days to show that no suitable Irish or EEA candidate was found. Family reunification and the route to Stamp 4 take longer than with a Critical Skills permit.

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Salary thresholds — from 1 March 2026. Critical Skills, listed occupation: €40,904. Critical Skills, occupation not on the list: €68,911. Critical Skills, recent graduate in a listed occupation: €36,848. General Employment Permit: €36,605 (up from €34,000). These figures were set under the government's salary threshold roadmap published in December 2025, and thresholds are linked to average earnings, so they will keep rising. (Check the DETE website and update this box when thresholds change.)

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What this means for senior and commercial professionals

Many senior commercial, marketing and management roles are not on the Critical Skills Occupations List. For these roles, the Critical Skills route usually depends on the salary meeting the higher threshold. At senior level, offers often meet it, but check before you apply.

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Always check both the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible List of Occupations for your exact role. Both are published by DETE and updated periodically.

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Changing jobs once you are in Ireland

Since the Employment Permits Act 2024, Critical Skills and General permit holders can apply to move to a new employer once nine months have passed since they first started work in Ireland on an employment permit. This gives you more flexibility, but plan any move carefully and check the conditions that apply to your permit.

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How to job search smarter as a permit candidate

1. Check your route before you apply. Know whether your role and likely salary fit the Critical Skills or General permit. This helps you target roles that can realistically support you.

2. Target employers who already hire internationally. Multinationals, large pharma and life sciences companies, and fast-growing firms are usually familiar with the permit process.

3. Be upfront about your status. State your nationality and permit needs clearly on your CV or in your first conversation. Surprises late in the process cost everyone time.

4. Allow for timing. A General permit may involve a 28-day advert before the application, plus processing time. Factor this into your notice period and start date.

5. Know the facts in your interview. Being able to explain which permit applies and why reassures employers who hire internationally less often.

6. Use official sources. DETE publishes the occupation lists, thresholds and current processing times. Be cautious with paid services promising "guaranteed sponsorship".

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The bottom line

Ireland remains open to skilled international professionals, and the Critical Skills route in particular offers a clear path to longer-term residence. The candidates who succeed are those who understand their permit route before they apply and target employers who can support it.

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This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and thresholds change; always confirm with DETE, the Immigration Service, or a qualified immigration adviser.

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Planning a move to Ireland? I help international professionals understand where their experience is in demand and how to position themselves for roles in Ireland and across Europe. Book a consultation