What is Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment Permit?
Checked against official sources, October 2026
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is Ireland’s permit for highly skilled occupations in short supply. It needs a job offer of at least 2 years, no Labour Market Needs Test, and after the permit period holders can apply for permission to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit (Stamp 4).
Who this is for
Nurses, midwives, doctors and other health professionals with an Irish job offer.
What the official guidance says
- It is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence.
- Because the skills are in short supply, a Labour Market Needs Test is not required.
- It is only issued for a job offer of at least 2 years. The holder is expected to stay with the first employer for at least 9 months.
- For a nurse or midwife, the qualification required is a third-level degree or diploma accepted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration.
- The minimum annual remuneration for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List is €40,904 (€36,848 if the qualification was received in the 12 months before applying); all eligible occupations over €68,911 also qualify.
- The processing fee is €1,000, with 90% refunded if the application is unsuccessful. Where the employer applies, it may not recover the fee from your pay.
- Holders can apply for immediate family reunification, and dependants, partners and spouses can apply for a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit, currently free of charge.
- At the end of the permit, holders can apply directly to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4, permission to live and work without an employment permit.
What it does not mean
- An employment permit is not a residence permission. You must register your immigration permission after you arrive.
- The permit ties you to the named employer, occupation and location for its validity.
- It does not replace registration with your Irish regulator, such as the NMBI.
What to do next
- 01Start registration with your Irish regulator (for example the NMBI for nurses and midwives).
- 02Secure a job offer of at least 2 years and confirm it meets the remuneration threshold.
- 03Apply (you or your employer) through the employment permits system.
- 04If you need a visa, apply for an entry visa after the permit, then register your permission once in Ireland.
Questions
Can nurses get a Critical Skills Employment Permit?
The permit rules set a specific qualification requirement for nurses and midwives: a degree or diploma accepted by the NMBI for registration. Check the Critical Skills Occupations List and remuneration rules for your role.
Can my spouse work in Ireland?
The Department of Enterprise says dependants, partners and spouses of permit holders, once resident, can seek employment and apply for a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit, currently free of charge.
Official sources
- Department of Enterprise (enterprise.gov.ie): Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Immigration Service Delivery: Registering your immigration permission
Checked October 2026. Immigration rules, fees and thresholds change, so confirm them on the official page before you act.
Plan the whole route, not just the visa
Migo’s Ireland plans compare the Critical Skills and General Employment Permit routes, use the official employment permits system links and remind you to register your immigration permission after arrival. You get alerts when guidance on your route changes.
Related guides
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or lawyer.