The short answer
- Critical Skills: jobs on the Critical Skills list from €40,904 with a relevant degree, or any eligible job from €68,911. No labour market test, family can join straight away, and Stamp 4 after 21 months.
- General Employment: most other jobs from €36,605. Usually a labour market test, family waits 12 months, you renew after 2 years, and Stamp 4 after 57 months.
- On both, you stay with your first employer for 9 months before a new permit for another employer can be considered.
- Not sure which your job qualifies for? Use the permit checker.
Compare your dates
Enter when you start, or started, work on the permit to see your dates on each.
Critical Skills vs General
Each permit’s milestones, side by side, with your dates.
Critical Skills
General Employment
Not sure which your job qualifies for? Check it with the permit checker.
From DETE’s permit and fees pages and ISD’s Stamp 4, family reunification and Stamp 5 rules. Dates assume one permit from your start date with no gaps; DETE and ISD decide every application.
Side by side
| Critical Skills | General Employment | |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs | Those on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or any eligible job at the higher salary | Any job not on the Ineligible List |
| Salary minimum | €40,904 with a relevant degree (€36,848 if you got it in the last 12 months); €68,911 for other eligible jobs | €36,605; €34,009 with a recent Irish degree; €32,691 in some sectors |
| Labour market test | Not needed | Usually needed |
| Family | Can apply straight away | After 12 months, with income over €30,000 |
| Partner’s work | Stamp 1G, no permit needed | Stamp 1G under ISD’s policy (see below) |
| Length | Tied to a job offer of at least 2 years | Up to 2 years, then up to 3 more |
| At the end | Apply to ISD for Stamp 4 | Renew with DETE |
| Stamp 4 | After 21 months | After 57 months |
| DETE fee | €1,000 | €1,000, then €1,500 to renew |
Critical Skills Employment Permit
For highly skilled jobs in short supply, such as ICT professionals and engineers, and for nurses and midwives with a qualification the Nursing and Midwifery Board accepts. The employer doesn’t have to advertise the job first. Your family can apply to join you straight away, and partners get Stamp 1G, so they can work without a permit.
When your permit and registration are due to expire, you don’t renew the permit: you apply to ISD for Stamp 4, usually granted for 2 years at a time. DETE’s support letter for this ended on 30 November 2023.
General Employment Permit
For almost any job not on the Ineligible List of Occupations. Your employer usually has to run a labour market needs test first, advertising the job with the Department of Social Protection’s employment services and online, unless the job is on the Critical Skills list, pays €68,911 or more, or another exemption applies.
The first permit lasts up to 2 years. You can apply to renew it within 4 months of the expiry date, for up to 3 more years. After 57 months you can apply to ISD for Stamp 4, usually granted for 1 year at a time. After 5 years, holders may also be able to apply for a temporary Stamp 4 or Long Term Residency.
Rules for both
- 9 months first. A new permit for a different employer can’t be considered until 9 months after you first started work on a permit, unless you’re made redundant or something unforeseen fundamentally changes the job.
- A new employer needs a new permit. The permit names your employer, job and location.
- The 50:50 rule. At least half your employer’s staff must be EEA nationals, with exceptions for start-ups backed by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland and sole employees.
- Apply 12 weeks ahead. DETE needs the application at least 12 weeks before the start date.
- Your employer can’t charge you. If your employer applies, they can’t deduct the fee or any costs from your pay.
- Leaving the job. If your employment ends, the permit must be returned to DETE within 4 weeks. If you’re made redundant, tell DETE within 4 weeks, and contact ISD if you haven’t found a new job within 6 months.
- It isn’t residence. A permit lets you work; you still register your permission with ISD.
The other seven permit types
| Permit | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Intra-Company Transfer | Senior managers and key staff (€49,523) or trainees (€36,605) moving from an overseas branch of a multinational to its Irish branch |
| Dependant/Partner/Spouse | Dependent children of Critical Skills holders and researchers with a job offer (partners don’t need one) |
| Contract for Services | Staff of a foreign company that has won a contract to provide services to an Irish company |
| Reactivation | People who came on a valid permit and fell out of the system through no fault of their own |
| Internship | Full-time students at a college outside Ireland, gaining work experience in a Critical Skills field |
| Sport and Cultural | Sports professionals and people in the arts and entertainment |
| Exchange Agreement | Jobs under international exchange agreements |
Common mix-ups
Common questions
What's the difference between a Critical Skills and a General Employment permit?
A Critical Skills permit is for jobs on the Critical Skills Occupations List (€40,904 with a relevant degree) or any eligible job paying €68,911. It needs no labour market test, lets your family join straight away, and leads to Stamp 4 after 21 months. A General permit covers most other jobs from €36,605, usually needs a labour market test, makes family wait 12 months, is renewed after 2 years, and leads to Stamp 4 after 57 months.
Which is better, Critical Skills or General?
If your job qualifies for both, Critical Skills is faster to Stamp 4, cheaper over time and better for family. But many jobs only qualify for a General permit. Check yours with the permit checker.
Can I change employer on an employment permit?
After 9 months with your first employer, yes, but your new employer needs a new employment permit for you. Before 9 months, only in exceptional cases such as redundancy.
Do I renew a Critical Skills permit?
No. When your Critical Skills permit and registration are due to expire, you apply to ISD for Stamp 4 instead. You no longer need a support letter from DETE.
How long does a General Employment permit last?
Up to 2 years at first, then it can be renewed for up to 3 more. You can apply to renew within 4 months of the expiry date. The renewal fee is €1,500 for up to 36 months.
Can my partner work if I'm on a General permit?
DETE's page says partners of General permit holders need their own employment permit, but ISD's 2026 family policy gives them Stamp 1G, which lets them work without one. Your partner's permission letter is what counts.
How much do employment permits cost?
€1,000 for a Critical Skills or General permit of up to 24 months (€500 for 6 months or less). Renewing a General permit costs €1,500 for up to 36 months. If an application is refused, 90% of the fee is refunded.
Sources
All sources checked on 3 Oct 2026.
- Critical Skills Employment PermitDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- General Employment PermitDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Types of employment permitsDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Fees for employment permitsDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Intra-Company Transfer Employment PermitDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment PermitDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Information on Stamp 4 upgradesImmigration Service Delivery
- Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, 12 June 2026Immigration Service Delivery
- Without Condition As To Time (Stamp 5)Immigration Service Delivery