Known for its strong technology and services sector, Ireland continues to attract foreign talent seeking opportunities in Europe.
If you want to work in Ireland, you should check whether you need an employment permit, an Irish visa or preclearance, or both. Most non-EEA nationals need either a valid employment permit or immigration permission that allows them to work. Visa-required nationals must usually obtain the required employment permit or immigration permission before applying for an Irish work visa.
Steps to Apply for an Irish Work Visa
If you are a visa-required foreign national, you can apply for an employment visa up to three months before your date of travel to Ireland. However, employment permit applications must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date, so you should begin preparing your permit documents earlier.
The common route for paid employment in Ireland is to secure a job offer from an employer in Ireland and apply for the appropriate employment permit, if your work route requires one. Some work routes, such as Volunteer and Minister of Religion, use a visa or preclearance process instead of an employment permit.
Once you have the required employment permit, hosting agreement, or immigration permission, you can proceed with the formal visa application. Be guided by the following steps:
Step 1. Apply for an Employment Permit Online
Begin by applying for an employment permit if your work route requires one. Depending on the permit type, the prospective employee, employer, contractor, or an appointed agent may be involved in the application.
You can apply through Employment Permits Online. Before starting, prepare:
- Scanned copies of the required documents
- A valid credit or debit card for payment of applicable fees
- A signed contract of employment, where required
Employment Permits Online requires users to create portal accounts. The portal allows users to prepare applications, submit documents, track the application status, and receive requests for further information. If an employment permit application is started but not submitted within 28 days, it is deleted and cannot be retrieved.
If your permit type requires a Labour Market Needs Test, the employer must complete the required advertising process before submitting a valid application.
Step 2. Pay Employment Permit Application Fees
After completing the permit application, pay the applicable employment permit fees through the online system. The fee depends on the type and duration of the employment permit.
Employment permit applications are processed in date order by application type. Processing times are not fixed, so applicants should check the current employment permit processing dates. After your permit is granted, you can use it for your Ireland work visa application if you are a visa-required national.
Step 3. Apply for a Visa Online
Access Ireland’s AVATS online visa application form. Follow the instructions and fill in all required information fully and honestly. Afterward, print the summary application form, then sign and date it.
Step 4. Submit Your Application to the Embassy
Follow the instructions on your summary application form. It will tell you where and how to submit your supporting documents, which may be through an Irish embassy, consulate, visa office, or visa application center. In some cases, you may also be required to submit biometric information.
Some applicants are exempt from visa fees. Current Irish visa fees are €60 for a single-entry visa, €100 for a multiple-entry visa, and €25 for a transit visa. Extra charges may apply depending on the office handling your application. In general, employment visa decisions can be expected within approximately eight weeks from the date the application is received by the visa office, embassy, or consulate, although processing times vary by country, application type, and individual circumstances.
Documents Needed for an Irish Work Visa
Visa-required nationals who wish to work in Ireland may need a long-stay employment visa or another work-related visa or preclearance route, depending on the activity. Common work-related options include:
- Employment Visa
- This is used by visa-required nationals who have obtained an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
- Employment (Scientific Researcher) Visa
- Employment (Van der Elst) Visa
- Minister of Religion Visa or Preclearance
- Volunteer Visa or Preclearance
Permission length depends on the route. For example, a General Employment Permit may be issued for up to 24 months initially and renewed for up to a further three years. A Critical Skills Employment Permit is issued for a job offer of at least two years and may lead to permission to live and work in Ireland without a further employment permit. A Contract for Services Employment Permit may be granted for up to 24 months initially and extended, on application, to a maximum stay of five years.
For an Employment Visa, you have to choose the appropriate type of employment permit for your paid activity in Ireland. Current employment permit types include:
- Critical Skills Employment Permit
- For highly skilled roles that are important to Ireland’s economy and are in significant shortage, such as many ICT and engineering roles. See also the Critical Skills Occupations List. A Labour Market Needs Test is not required for this permit.
- Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
- For eligible dependants, recognized partners, civil partners, and spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and researchers on hosting agreements.
- Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
- For eligible senior management, key personnel, or trainees transferring from an overseas branch of a multinational corporation to its Irish branch.
- General Employment Permit
- For a broad range of occupations that are eligible unless specifically excluded under the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits.
- Contract for Services Employment Permit
- For employees of a foreign contractor that has a one-to-one contract to provide services to an Irish entity.
- Reactivation Employment Permit
- For certain non-EEA nationals who previously held an employment permit but fell out of the employment permit system through no fault of their own or because of workplace exploitation.
- Internship Employment Permit
- For full-time non-EEA students enrolled in a third-level institution outside Ireland who need work experience in Ireland in a discipline relevant to an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
- Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
- For work that supports the development, operation, and capacity of sporting and cultural activities.
- Exchange Agreement Employment Permit
- For employment under prescribed or other international reciprocal agreements to which Ireland is a party.
Your Irish work visa application must be accompanied by the required supporting documents. If you do not submit sufficient documentation, your application may be refused.
General Requirements:
- Signed and dated visa summary application form and proof of payment of the visa fee, if applicable
- Two color passport-sized photographs taken within the last six months, with your name and visa application transaction number written on the back
- Current passport valid for at least 12 months after your intended arrival date in Ireland
- Photocopy of each page from all previous passports, if available
- Application letter explaining why you want to come to Ireland, how long you intend to stay, where you will stay, and confirming that you will follow the conditions of your visa
- Employment permit granted by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, where required
- Employment contract, or a letter from your employer if you do not have a contract
- Letter from your employer in Ireland confirming your job details, salary, and accommodation, if accommodation is being provided
- Evidence of qualifications and previous work experience
- This can include professional certificates, training certificates, recent payslips, salary payments, tax statements, and an employment letter from your current employer.
- Proof of financial capacity
- An up-to-date bank statement covering the last six months and showing sufficient funds to cover your costs.
- Details and original letters for any previous visa refusals, deportations, refused entries, or requirements to leave another country, if applicable
- Medical or travel insurance
- You do not usually need to provide evidence of medical or travel insurance with the initial employment visa application unless the visa officer requests it. If your visa is approved, you must have evidence of medical or travel insurance when you arrive at the port of entry and present it to the immigration officer on request.
- Biometric information, if your application office instructs you to provide it
Additional Requirements for Critical Skills Employment:
- Proof of at least a two-year job offer or contract
- Evidence that the role, remuneration, qualifications, and skills meet the Critical Skills Employment Permit criteria
For General Employment
- Labour Market Needs Test evidence from the employer, unless an exemption applies
For Contract for Services
- Evidence of the contract between the foreign contractor and the Irish entity, and Labour Market Needs Test evidence unless an exemption applies
For Van der Elst
- Evidence of your right to reside and work in the sending EU member state and your permission to return there after the Irish contract ends
- Letter from your employer in the sending EU member state
- Letter from the Irish host company giving details of the contract and explaining why you are required in Ireland
For Exchange Agreement
- Letter from the exchange organization or evidence required for the relevant agreement
For Internship
- Proof of enrollment in a third-level institution outside Ireland
- Proof of the internship offer
If you are applying as a scientific researcher, Minister of Religion, or volunteer, check the official Immigration Service Delivery guidance for the specific documents required for that route.
Detailed information for every work permit type is available on the website of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
You must submit original documents unless the official instructions say otherwise. Documents not in English or Irish must be accompanied by a full certified translation. State-issued documents may need to be apostilled or attested, depending on where they were issued. Business letters must be on official headed paper and include verifiable contact details.
We hope that this article on How to Get a Work Visa in Ireland was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
