How to Apply for an Employment Permit
All employment permit applications are submitted through Employment Permits Online (EPOL). Either the employer or the prospective employee can submit the application. The permit is always issued to the employee.
Who Can Apply?
For the Critical Skills and General Employment Permits, either the employer or the prospective employee (the non-EEA national) may submit the application. The permit is always issued to the employee; a certified copy goes to the employer.
Employer Eligibility
- ✓Must be registered with Revenue Commissioners
- ✓Must be registered with Companies Registration Office (if applicable)
- ✓Must be currently trading in Ireland
- ✓Must be in a direct employer-employee relationship (not labour hire)
- ✓At least 50% of all employees must be EEA nationals (50:50 rule). Exceptions for EI/IDA-supported start-ups within 2 years of establishment.
Job Offer Requirements
A signed contract of employment (signed by both employer and employee) is required for every application.
- CSEP: Contract must be for a minimum of 2 years
- General EP: Contract can be for 12 months or more
Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT)
The LMNT requires employers to demonstrate that no suitable EEA candidate is available before hiring a non-EEA national. Required for General Employment Permit and Contract for Services.
How to Fulfil the LMNT
Advertise the vacancy simultaneously on both of the following for a minimum of 28 consecutive days:
- DSP Employment Services / EURES (JobsIreland.ie)
- An additional online platform (LinkedIn, Indeed, Jobs.ie, etc.)
Both adverts must contain: job description, employer name, minimum annual remuneration, location, and hours of work.
Submit the application within 90 days of the first publication date on EURES (120 days for third-level institutions).
When LMNT Is NOT Required
- ✓Occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL)
- ✓Job offers with annual salary over €68,911 (any eligible occupation)
- ✓Jobs supported by a recommendation from Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland
- ✓Carer of a person with exceptional medical needs with high level of dependence
- ✓General EP holder made redundant and notified DETE within 4 weeks — for new job within 6 months
- ✓All Critical Skills EP applications
- ✓All Intra-Company Transfer applications
- ✓Internship, Exchange Agreement, Sport & Cultural, Reactivation, and Dependant permits
Eligible & Ineligible Occupations
Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL)
Strategically important, highly skilled occupations in short supply (e.g., ICT professionals, engineers, technologists). Exempt from LMNT.
View CSOL →Ineligible Occupations List
Occupations explicitly excluded from all employment permits regardless of salary offered. No permit can be issued for these roles.
View Ineligible List →Step-by-Step Application Process
Employer creates a portal account on EPOL
Submit Revenue documents and Companies Registration Office (CRO) number to set up or maintain the account.
Complete the Labour Market Needs Test (if required)
Advertise on EURES/JobsIreland AND an additional online platform for a minimum of 28 consecutive days.
Obtain a signed contract of employment
Must be signed by both employer and employee. 2 years minimum for CSEP; 12+ months for General EP.
Start the online application on EPOL
Must be submitted within 28 days of starting or it will be automatically deleted.
Pay the application fee
EFT for business users; cheque, bank draft, or EFT for individuals.
Application enters the processing queue
Processed strictly in date order of receipt.
Review by a decision maker
Additional information may be requested — you have 28 days to respond.
Decision issued
Permit issued OR application refused with stated reasons. If refused, submit a review within 28 days.
Processing Times
Applications are processed strictly in date order of receipt. As of 27 July 2026:
| Application Type | Processing From |
|---|---|
| Critical Skills Employment Permit Applications | 14 July 2026 |
| New General Employment Permit Applications | 19 June 2026 |
| All other New Applications (All permit types excluding Critical Skills, GEPs and I.C.T.) | 21 July 2026 |
| Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit Applications (New) | 30 June 2026 |
| Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit Applications (Renewal) | 15 April 2026 |
| Renewal Applications (All renewable permit types included) | 15 April 2026 |
| Reviews / Appeals | 30 December 2025 |
Fees
New Permits
- €1,000 — up to 24 months
- €500 — 6 months or less
- Free — Dependant/Spouse and Exchange Agreement permits
Renewals
- €1,500 — up to 36 months
- €750 — 6 months or less
- Free — Unlimited permits (5+ years, same employer)
If refused, 90% of the fee is refunded to the applicant (employee), even if the employer paid.
Common Refusal Reasons
- ✗Occupation is on the Ineligible List
- ✗Minimum salary threshold not met
- ✗Labour Market Needs Test not properly completed (adverts incomplete, too short, or expired)
- ✗Application submitted more than 90 days after LMNT advertisement commenced
- ✗Employer does not meet the 50:50 EEA workforce requirement
- ✗Missing or incomplete documentation
- ✗Application started but not submitted within 28 days
- ✗Application received fewer than 12 weeks before proposed start date
- ✗Employer not registered with Revenue or CRO
- ✗Attempting to change employer within first 9 months (without exception)
Appeal / Review Process
If refused, you may request a review within 28 days of the refusal. The review is considered by a more senior official not involved in the original decision.
A confirmed refusal on review does not prevent you from submitting a new application.
Review of Decision Form →Document Checklists
DETE publishes permit-specific checklists. Common documents required:
- Signed contract of employment
- Employer Revenue and CRO details
- Employee passport (valid)
- Educational qualifications or proof of experience
- LMNT evidence (where applicable)
Visa-Required vs Visa-Exempt Nationalities
Whether you need an entry visa depends on your nationality. Visa-required nationals must apply for a 'D' (long-stay) visa at the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate after receiving the employment permit.
Check visa requirements by nationality →