An employer-backed permit for eligible work, not only jobs outside Critical Skills. Occupation exclusions, remuneration, labour-market testing and any quota still apply.
Route overview
Local employer offer
Typical timeline / duration: Up to two years initially; renewable for up to a further three years; after five years, long-term residence or Stamp 4 may be available
Important notes
Obtain a job offer from a bona fide employer trading in Ireland and registered with the relevant tax and company authorities.
The role must generally pass the Labour Market Needs Test and must not be on the ineligible occupations list.
From 1 March 2026, general annual remuneration is €36,605; specified horticulture, meat-processing, health-care assistant/home-support roles have €32,691 (with the published €16.12 hourly minimum). Eligible relevant Irish third-level graduates within the previous 12 months have €34,009. Other job and employer conditions still apply.
Apply through Employment Permits Online, normally at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date; after approval, complete immigration registration if required.
A General Employment Permit can generally be issued for up to two years initially and then extended for up to a further three years.
A first-time permit holder is generally expected to remain with the initial employer for nine months, subject to limited exceptions such as redundancy or a fundamental change in circumstances.
After five years of lawful employment on permits, the holder may be able to seek long-term residence or Stamp 4; this is not automatic.
DETE's 26 August 2026 notice says the 1,000-permit Meat Processing Operative quota is oversubscribed and almost filled, and advises no new applications. Once filled, remaining queued cases will be rejected. This is occupation-specific, not closure of all General Employment Permits.
General-permit nuclear-family sponsorship normally requires one year first, unlike the CSEP no-wait rule. Eligible spouses/partners granted reunification can hold Stamp 1G and work without their own employment permit; that change dates to 15 May 2024, not a new October reform.
Family work rights require the appropriate granted immigration permission, not just the sponsor's employment permit. Eligible spouses/partners and children aged 16–18 can work without a separate employment permit; some existing adult-child cohorts also qualify, but not every adult dependant. Check ISD's current family guidance and any transitional proof.
ISD's 7 August 2026 notice requires authenticator-app MFA for its Customer Service Portal. That portal is separate from Employment Permits Online; this is a login requirement, not a new work-permit eligibility condition.
Preparation checklist
Passport and application
Employment contract signed by both parties
Employer registration, trading, and tax information
Labour Market Needs Test advertising evidence where required
Role, remuneration, qualification, and experience evidence
Photographs, insurance, police, and immigration-registration documents where required
Confirm a current occupation quota is still accepting new applications before paying or completing the filing.
Check each family member's waiting period and granted work conditions, rather than assuming every dependant needs a separate employment permit.