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Back to Work Permits Critical Skills Employment Permit Our Employment Permit Consultancy Service has secured hundreds of Employment Permits for our clients. We will work closely with you from start to finish to ensure the right processes are followed. +353 (01) 564 5342 info@futuredirect.ie Table of Content: Introduction Criteria of Eligibility Employees Requirements Employers Requirements Benefits Application Procedure Processing Time Employment Visa in Ireland This permit is deemed to be the most sought-after employment permit to obtain in Ireland. It is designed to attract highly skilled people into the Irish labour market with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence in the State. Eligible occupations under this type of permit are deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland’s economy, are highly demanded and highly skilled, and are in a significant shortage of supply in our labour market. The list of eligible occupations is set out in the Critical Skills Occupations List . ​ Jobs which are eligible under the Critical Skills Employment Permit Ireland scheme do not need to undergo the Labour Market Needs Test . The Green Card type employment permit has been replaced by the Critical Skills Employment Permit. This permit is deemed to be the most sought-after employment permit to obtain in Ireland. What do Employers Need to Know About the Critical Skills Employment Permit? Applications will only be accepted from employers that are registered with the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies, if applicable, and which are currently trading in the State. ​ That an employer–employee relationship will exist in that the prospective employee concerned will be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer. ​ An employment permit will not be issued unless at the time of application, at least 50% of the employees in a firm are EEA nationals (50:50 rule). However, if the company is a start-up with no more than two years of operation, this restriction could be waived. ​ Need immediate help and professional advice with your situation? Contact us now . What are the requirements for employees to apply for Critical Skills Employment Permit? There are certain conditions regarding the qualification and job offer that employees need to meet in order to be eligible under the Critical Skills Employment Permit scheme. Qualification: Job Offer: Job offer must from a Revenue Commissioners-registered and trading company (or employer). ​ Job offer of at least two years. ​ The Employee must be directly employed and paid by the employer in Ireland. Important: Any Jobs offered through recruitment agencies and other intermediaries will not be acceptable for this permit. The relevant educational qualifications, skills, and experience are required depending on the job type and the proposed annual salary. ​ For eligible jobs with an annual salary of €38,000 or more, a relevant degree or higher qualification is required. ​ For eligible jobs with an annual salary of €64,000 or over, a relevant degree or equivalent experience is required. ​ In the case of nurses and midwives , a degree/diploma qualification recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland(NMBI) is required. What are the benefits of the Critical Skills Employment Permit? The Critical Skills Employment Permit provides permit holders and companies with an array of benefits, including: ​ Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can take up permanent residence (Stamp 4) in Ireland after two years of employment. ​ Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for immediate family reunification. ​ ​ Spouses/De facto partners who come to Ireland through the unification scheme can request the right to work for any employer. ​ Employers are not required to complete a labour market test, which shortens the recruitment process and lowers the administrative burden and cost of overseas hiring. What are the Application Procedure for Critical Skills Employment Permit in Ireland? An application for any employment permit must be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed employment start date. The following are three main stages of the Critical Skills Employment Permit application: ​ 1. Complete the application form with the required documentation. 2. The application is placed in the processing queue. 3. An official with decision-making authority considers the application. The official may request further information if they deem it to be necessary to reach a decision. The application form must include a full description of the employee’s proposed employment, remuneration (excluding bonuses) and start date. Information on the educational qualifications, skills, or experience required for the job will need to be included. Does it sound like a long and complicated process? That’s why Future Direct is here for you! With our exceptional service in this area, we are committed to working closely with you throughout the application process and ensuring compliance with every requirement. Contact us now for immediate help and professional advice with your situation. What is the processing time for the Critical Skills Employment Permit in Ireland? The current processing time for a critical skill employment permit application is within 4 to 6 weeks. However, if your employer is a trusted partner, the process will be shortened to 1 to 2 weeks. ​ We understand that a long waiting time is always frustrating and anxious. Future Direct is committed to following up closely with the department to ensure a faster turnaround time in each case. ​ Need immediate help and professional advice with your situation? Contact us now . If you are from a country that is not in the European Economic Area(non-EEA), the UK or Switzerland, you must apply for the permit before you come to Ireland. You may also have to apply for a visa to come to Ireland. If you already live in Ireland and have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) with stamp 1, 1A, 2, 2A or 3, and have been offered a job in an occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List will also be eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit. Who is eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit? What jobs are eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit? Before jumping into more detail, please note that two types of occupation lists are issued by The Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment(DETE). Critical Skills Occupations List contains a list of jobs eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit. Ineligible List of Occupations for employment permits contains a list of jobs not eligible for any Employment Permits in Ireland. This means that the occupations on this list are not eligible for a Critical Skill Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit . ​ ​ Eligibility for a Critical Skills Employment Permit is largely determined by the type of occupation and proposed remuneration level. There are generally two routes: The first route to a Critical Skill Employment Permit must meet all of the following requirements: The job offered must belong to one of the occupations listed under the Critical Skills Occupations List . The job offered must have a minimum salary of €38,000 per annum . (€44,000 per annum In 2025) The job offered must be of at least 2-year duration or on a permanent basis. The prospective employee must have a degree qualification or higher and it must be relevant to the job offered . ​ The second route to a Critical Skill Employment Permit must meet all of the following requirements: All occupations with a minimum annual remuneration of over €64,000 , other than those on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits or which are contrary to the public interest. The prospective employee must have a relevant degree qualification OR necessary level of experience . The job offered must be of at least 2-year duration or on a permanent basis. ​ ​ ​Employer Criteria ​Applications will only be accepted from employers that are registered with the Revenue Commissioners and with the Companies Registration Office/Registry of Friendly Societies, if applicable, and which are currently trading in the State. An employer–employee relationship will exist in that the prospective employee concerned will be employed, salaried and paid directly by the employer. An employment permit will not be issued unless at the time of application, at least 50% of the employees in a firm are EEA nationals (50:50 rule). However, this restriction could be waived if the company is a start-up with no more than two years of operation. ​​ Contact us now for immediate help and professional advice with your situation. Fast-Track Application Track your application with the relevant department and liaise on your behalf. Seamless Application Supports Prepare files and manage immigration-related applications from start to finish for you. Dedicated Account Manager Access to the consultant on the phone for quick support without the barrier of a receptionist. Fast Turnaround Time Full-time focus to operate efficiently and effectively to deliver results on time. Let us help with your application We focus on delivering positive results to our clients and dedicate to offering quality services. Talk to our Consultants First name Last Name Email Phone Subject Tell us about your situation. Future Direct is committed to protecting your information. Your information will be used in accordance with the applicable data privacy law and our internal policy. View Privacy Policy Submit An error occurred. Try again later Thank you! Your request has been sent! One of our immigration experts will get back to you shortly. Have questions? Call us at +353 (01) 564 5342 or send us your request by filling in this form. One of our consultants reply shortly. FAQ How do I know if my qualification is equivalent to an Irish degree? If you hold a foreign qualification or have completed your studies overseas, you can compare your qualification type and level on the NARIC website, where you can obtain your Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and download a comparability statement. ​ Usually, a bachelor's ordinary degree is NFQ level 7, an honours degree is NFQ level 8, and a master's is NFQ level 9. Will I get a refund if my Critical Skills Employment Permit has been rejected or withdrawn? Yes! The department will refund you. If your application is refused, you will receive a 90% refund of the fee paid. If the application is redrawn, you will receive a full refund. However, the refund process usually takes 7 to 8 weeks. When can I apply for a Stamp 4? You can apply for your Stamp 4 once you have completed 21 months of continuous employment in Ireland, where you no longer need an employment permit to stay in Ireland. Find more info on stamp 4 here. What happens if I am made redundant during my employment? You must notify the DETE within four weeks of your date of dismissal. You will be granted up to six months to seek another employment.

Irish Employment Permit and Immigration Specialists We specialise in critical skills employment permits, general employment permits, and visa applications. Our services enable businesses to hire non-EEA nationals and individuals to secure their legal status in Ireland. Talk to our Consultants +353 (01) 564 5342 We enable businesses to hire non-EU nationals by processing your work visa applications. Top Services: Trusted Partnership Registration Critical Skill Employment Permits General Employment Permits Visa Applications Learn more For Employers We provide advice and assistance to individuals with immigration support in Ireland. Top Services: Employment Permits Dependents/Spouses Visas Stamp 1G Extension ​Stamp 6 (Irish Citizenships) Learn more For Individuals Industry leaders spanning multiple fields in Ireland found success with our Immigration Services. Top Industries We Serve: Technology Healthcare Engineering Pharmaceutical Recruitment Financial Retail Hospitality Learn more Case Studies Our Services Initial Consultation Understand your business or personal needs, time constraints and requirements Prepare the Application Identify the suitable visa type and work with you to prepare the application and documents Submit for Approval Lodge the application for approval, including regular updates Immigration application procedures can be challenging and time-consuming. Future Direct is here to take stress out for you and deliver results in a professional and timely manner. We simplify the Immigration process for you Immigration application procedures can be challenging and time-consuming. Future Direct is here to take stress out for you and deliver results in a professional and timely manner. "In a short period of time, Future Direct was able to complete and submit my application. Answered all my questions and was always available to clear my queries." Arul Ashok Employment Permit "My 2nd experience with future Direct was a really good experience. They are so helpful, professional, available to answer questions and guided me throughout the process. My Critical skills application was granted without any hurdle. " Rasheed Employment Permit "I highly recommend Future Direct for any immigration related services. Dale and his team have helped throughout my Stamp 1 process and I have finally received the stamp approval." Salonee Visa Extension "Dale was excellent in his service and support. I'm extremely thrilled to have my visa extension done successfully by Future direct. He was helpful, always ready to answer my questions , prompt and efficient in his work." Shivani Herlekar Visa Extension Trusted by Thousands of Corporate and Individual Clients 4.9/5 by 250+ Reviews Talk to our Consultants First name Last Name Email Phone Subject Tell us about your situation. Submit Thank You! Your request has been sent! One of our team will get back to you shortly. An error occurred. Try again later Future Direct is committed to protecting your information. Your information will be used in accordance with the applicable data privacy law. By completing this form you agree to our Privacy Policy . By completing this form you agree to our Privacy Policy. Get in touch Call us at +353 (01) 564 5342 or send us your request by filling in this form. One of our consultants will reach out to you shortly. Keep up with Irish Employment Permits and Immigration 4 days ago 2 min New Bridging Permission for Stamp 2 Holders in Ireland English Language Schools: What You Need to Know Apr 19 2 min Ireland's February 2024 Unemployment Rate and Job Market Apr 9 2 min Navigating the Clarifications of Stamp 4 Application for Critical and General Skill Permits: What You Need to Know 1 2 3 4 5 Subscribe to our News and Updates Subscribe us to receive our latest immigration Updates and Exclusive Job Alerts. Email Address* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit

Back to Work Permits Talk to our consultants Labor Market Needs Test Discover Labor Market Need Test, Advertisement, and Application Requirements. Learn more below . What is Labor Market Needs Test? The government’s policy is that employment opportunities that arise in Ireland should, in the first instance, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals and should only be offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA to fill the vacancy. However, it is at the employer's discretion to decide and select a suitable candidate for their company. What does the Labour Market Needs Test involve? ​The Employer must advertise the vacancy: With the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Employment Services/EURES employment network for at least 28 days. In a national newspaper for at least three days. In either a local newspaper or jobs website (Other than the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection/EURES websites) for three days. One of the most common reasons for a refusal of General Employment Permit applications is related to the Labour Market Need Test. Need help for your situation? Contact us now . Who needs the Labour Market Needs Test? The Labour Market Needs Test is REQUIRED: General Employment Permit Contract for Services Employment Permit The Labor Market Needs Test is NOT REQUIRED: ​ Where the job is included on the Critical Skills Occupations List . Where the job is offered to a non-EEA national who holds a General Employment Permit and was made redundant within the previous six months. Where a recommendation from Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland has been made in relation to the job offer (this applies to client companies of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland only). Where the job offer is for a Carer of a person with exceptional medical needs and the non-EEA national has been providing care to the person before the application was made. That person has developed a high level of dependence on that non-EEA national. ​Employment permits cannot be issued to an occupation listed on the Ineligible List of Occupations, regardless of remuneration. First name Last Name Email Phone Subject Tell us about your situation. Future Direct is committed to protecting your information. Your information will be used in accordance with the applicable data privacy law and our internal policy. View Privacy Policy Submit An error occurred. Try again later Thank you! Your request has been sent! One of our immigration experts will get back to you shortly. Have questions? Call us at +353 (01) 564 5342 ​ or send us your request by filling in this form. One of our consultants reply shortly. FAQ What is a Labour market needs test in Ireland? How to arrange an advertisement with the Department of Social Protection Services and with EURES Do all applications for General or Contract for Services Employment Permits require a Labour Market Needs Test? Fast-Track Application Track your application with the relevant department and liaise on your behalf. Seamless Application Supports Prepare files and manage immigration-related applications from start to finish for you. Dedicated Account Manager Access to the consultant on the phone for quick support without the barrier of a receptionist. Fast Turnaround Time Full-time focus to operate efficiently and effectively to deliver results on time. Let us help with your application We focus on delivering positive results to our clients and dedicate to offering quality services. Talk to our Consultants

A recent survey conducted by the Irish Times found that from December 2023 to March 2023, the public's attention was primarily focused on two key issues: housing and immigration. These topics emerged as the most significant concerns for people during this period, reflecting the pressing nature of housing shortages and immigration policies in Ireland. The survey highlights the importance of these issues in the public discourse and underscores the need for effective strategies to address them. Since Simon Harris became the new Taoiseach on April 9, 2024, there have been some changes in housing and immigration. In this blog, Future Direct will discuss what's new and what might happen next. Housing issues Ireland has faced a housing shortage for international immigrants, leading to a significant increase in rental accommodations in recent months. In a speech in early April, the Taoiseach aimed to solve this housing problem permanently. According to the progress report for the "Housing for All" plan in the first quarter of 2024, construction has begun on 12,000 building projects. This marks a 63% increase in approved new home projects compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, the government's implementation of a waiver and rebate scheme in the development levy is expected to further boost the supply of new homes in the upcoming quarter. Further, the government announced additional funds to solve housing challenges. The allocation of €100 million in funding will provide more beds and accommodation to more than 1,000 students at UCD, DCU, and Maynooth University. Provided that around 30,500 first-time buyer mortgages were approved in 2023. An additional  €40 million in funding has been allocated to promote affordable home ownership for first-time home buyers. The department is also actively working with TCD, the University of Limerick and the University of Galway to deliver 800+ student accommodations. The government is confident that increasing the housing supply in Ireland is the key solution to the housing crisis and remains optimistic about progress. However, there are still important questions that need to be addressed. Does the state have sufficient human power, like construction workers, to keep up the momentum? If Ireland were to attract more construction workers into the state, what would be the changes in the employment permit application process or the permit regulations and conditions? Immigration Immigration issues are mainly centred around the number of asylum seekers entering Ireland in recent months. In 2023, there were 12,300 asylum seekers, followed by 12,600 in 2022. However, the government is particularly concerned about the sharp increase in asylum seekers during the first three months of 2024, with 5,100 arrivals—a 75% rise compared to the same period in 2023. If this trend continues, it will likely surpass the numbers in 2023 and 2022. The government has expressed that it is impossible to accommodate the current numbers if it continues. The minister of justice, Helen McEntee, had made a few announcements regarding such issues. On 6 April 2024, she announced that eight more countries may be added to the safe country list to reduce the number of asylum seekers and provide the correct protection to those needing international protection. The cabinet has been actively in discussion to tighten up the immigration borders, which involved tighter control in airports in approving individuals coming into the country as an asylum seeker. The government will have a fast-track process for applicants coming from safe countries of origin, which may lead to a significant application refusal, which is applications from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and South Africa. The government planned to accelerate the process of the highest number of applications in the previous three months if it is not a safe country, such as an application from Nigeria. One major decision to be further discussed is to tighten the visa requirements for people from South Africa. Immigration borders may be becoming stricter, posing an unforeseeable risk for individuals intending to immigrate to Ireland beyond asylum seekers. While the Department of Justice has yet to announce any imminent measures or changes if a decision regarding South Africa is made, citizens from the country may need to familiarise themselves with the visa application process for entry into Ireland. In conclusion, the Irish government is gradually implementing and enforcing new policies, rules, and regulations related to housing and immigration matters. Future Direct is a leading immigration consultancy firm in Ireland that provides services to individuals and corporations. If you have concerns about your immigration status or employment permits and want to stay updated with the latest immigration news, please follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can contact us at +353 872400433 or email info@futuredirect.ie. We're here to help answer your questions.

The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has introduced bridging permission for students completing their English language courses and proceeding to enrol in a Higher Education Programme starting by October 2024. This notice is only valid until 31 August 2024. To be eligible for this permission, the student must: Completed their third English Language course and have enrolled in and paid fees for a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP, starting by the end of October 2024, Completed their second English Language course on or after July 1st and have enrolled in and paid fees for a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP, starting by the end of October 2024 Please note that the bridging permission does not extend to students who completed their second English Language course before July 1st, regardless of when they apply. However, these students can choose to undertake a third English language course and renew their permission based on that. The criteria expected from the student are as follows: A valid IRP card or one that has expired within a month when making the bridging permission. Completed a third English Language course listed on the ILEP or completed a second English Language course listed on the ILEP on or after 1st July; Have enrolled in and paid fees in total for a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP; Apply for their permission via their local immigration office or online if you are in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, or Wicklow. Registration Fees: For students whose second or third English language course finished on or after 1st July wishing to apply, this bridging permission will be fee-exempt. Students whose third English language course finished before 1st July wish to apply. This bridging permission will pay the standard fee of €300. This permission, if approved, will be granted until September 30, 2024, and allows students to continue their studies while providing evidence of enrolment and payment for the upcoming programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Providers (ILEP). Students are required to renew their immigration permission again after 30 September 2024. Are you wondering what ILEP is or wish to know more about the application process? Are you eligible for this permission but too busy to apply? Let us do it for you! Contact Future Direct today! We are one of the leading immigration consultancy firms that provide immigration services to corporate and individual clients in Ireland. If you face difficulties applying for your employment or residence permit in Ireland, call us today at +353 872400433 or email info@futuredirect.ie. We are happy to answer your questions and help you in this matter.

When people talk about finding jobs lately, many say it's tough in 2024. Let's take a deeper look at what the data says about job opportunities in Ireland. One way to find out is by looking at the unemployment rate. Surprisingly, Ireland doesn't rank among the top 10 EEA countries with the highest unemployment rates. In fact, it's 20th on the list, with an unemployment rate of 4.32%. Spain has the highest rate at 12.1%, followed by Greece (11.1%), Italy (7.7%), and Sweden (7.7%). The statistics show that Ireland is still below the average unemployment rate (5.55%) across the EEA region. Looking specifically at Ireland, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.6% to 4.2% in February 2024 despite the slower economic growth. However, there was a slight increase of 0.01% in March 2024, adding 1,900 people to be unemployed. According to The Irish Times, job postings on the Indeed website in March were only 14% higher than before the pandemic, compared to 17% and 22% in February and January, respectively. Experts suggest that the number of job postings will likely return to pre-pandemic levels. Based on this information, finding a job during the next few months seems like a long battle with time. As we cannot predict the future employment rate, patience and initiative will be necessary for individuals seeking job opportunities. For international professionals and graduates, it's essential to know that you might be able to extend your visa if it's expiring soon. Future Direct is a leading immigration consultancy firm in Ireland that provides services to individuals and corporations. If you have concerns about your visa status or expiration date, feel free to contact us at +353 872400433 or email info@futuredirect.ie. We're here to help answer your questions. The data is obtained from the Central Statistics Office: https://data.cso.ie/table/WMI15 & https://data.cso.ie/table/MUM01