Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland's main work permit for highly skilled non-EEA nationals in occupations the State considers in short supply, or in very well-paid roles. No labour market test is required. Holders can bring immediate family and can later move to Stamp 4 permission without needing an employment permit.
Life in Ireland
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
102
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23% · social security 4.2%
40% above EUR 44,000 (single); plus USC of 0.5-8% and PRSI. Tax credits apply.
Living
1
Happiness
#13 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Non-EEA nationals with a job offer of at least 2 years from an eligible Irish employer, either in a Critical Skills Occupations List role or paying above the higher salary threshold.
Eligibility
Job offer duration
You need a job offer lasting at least 2 years; shorter offers fall under the General Employment Permit.
2 years
Minimum job offer length
Official wording
At least 2 years (shorter offers fall under the General Employment Permit).
Salary: Critical Skills Occupations List roles
For Critical Skills Occupations List roles, you need a relevant degree or higher and a minimum annual remuneration of EUR 40,904.
EUR 40,904
Minimum annual remuneration (listed occupations)
- Up from EUR 38,000 on 1 March 2026 (DETE announcement, 2 December 2025)
- DETE's checklist bases this on a 39-hour week
Official wording
Minimum annual remuneration EUR 40,904 for listed occupations where the applicant holds a relevant degree or higher (up from EUR 38,000 on 1 March 2026, per DETE announcement of 2 December 2025). DETE's checklist bases this on a 39-hour week.
Salary: recent graduates
If your relevant qualification was obtained within 12 months before applying, a lower minimum salary applies.
EUR 36,848
Minimum salary (recent graduates)
Official wording
EUR 36,848 where the relevant qualification was obtained within the 12 months before applying.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSalary: all other occupations
- Document checklistOnline application via Employment Permits Online
- FeesCSEP application fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 7 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Ireland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Critical Skills Employment Permit (DETE)
- Government unveils roadmap for gradual increase in employment permit salary thresholds (DETE, 2 Dec 2025)
- Employment Permits Minimum Annual Remuneration: Outcome of the Roadmap Review 2025 (PDF)
- Latest employment permits notices and developments (DETE)
- Current application processing dates (DETE)
- Critical Skills Employment Permit Checklist (PDF)
- Information on Stamp 4 upgrades (ISD)
Other routes to Ireland
- Visit & tourismShort stay 'C' visit (tourist) visa
- StudyStudent permission (Stamp 2) for full-time degree programmes
- FamilyJoin Family: spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
- Asylum & protectionInternational protection in Ireland
- CitizenshipIrish citizenship by naturalisation
- Work permitsGeneral Employment Permit
Work permits in other countries
- IsraelB/1 Work Visa – Foreign Expert
- Isle of ManIsle of Man Worker Migrant visa with Confirmation of Employment and work permit
- IndiaEmployment Visa
- IraqWork permit (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) followed by visa and residence for foreign workers
- IranTemporary Work visa (Type F) with Labour Ministry-approved labour certificate
- IcelandResidence permit based on work
