Note 01Route summary
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is Ireland's premium route for the talent you cannot recruit inside the EEA.
Ref CSEP-21, typed for the wall
Employment permits & sponsorshipFor employers
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Sponsor a shortage-occupation hire with no labour market test and a 21-month route to Stamp 4.
EUR 0
Salary floor
0 months
To Stamp 4
No LMNT
No advertising
0 to 13 wks
DETE decision
Folder 01. Route file, Critical Skills Employment Permit
0
months
0
months
labour market test
The Department confirms Critical Skills applications never need the 28-day labour market needs test.
What we'll do for you
Sponsor a shortage-occupation hire with no labour market test and a 21-month route to Stamp 4.
Ledger · Critical Skills Employment Permit
Entry 01 · registered
Assess eligibility
We confirm the role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List, verify the salary clears the applicable floor, and check the qualification match so nothing surfaces later as a refusal ground.
Allow2 to 3 days
Entry 02 · registered
Prepare the EPOS file
We collect the signed two-year job offer, the employee's degree or evidence of relevant qualifications, and your CRO and Revenue documentation, then build and quality-check the application inside EPOS.
Allow1 to 2 weeks
Entry 03 · registered
Submit and manage
We lodge the application and the EUR 1,000 fee with DETE and respond to every query on your behalf, tracking the case against the published processing dates.
Allow8 to 13 weeks
Entry 04 · registered
Grant and mobilise
On grant we guide the hire through the entry visa where required, arrival, and IRP registration, and start immediate family reunification.
Allow2 to 4 weeks
Entry 05 · registered
Path to Stamp 4
We diarise the 21-month milestone and prepare the direct Stamp 4 application to ISD, so the employee moves off the permit and stays without further sponsorship.
AllowFrom month 21
Balance · application fee, all entries included
€0
The €70 Book Consultation cost is separate.
0to0
weeks to a decision
Plaque 01 The wait
Currently around 8 to 13 weeks once a complete application is lodged, depending on DETE workload. We track your case against the Department's published processing dates so start dates stay realistic.
Lodged with the fee
EUR 0
Queries handled for youTracked weeklyFigures are indicative
80k68k55k43k30k
Graduate General PermitEUR 34,009
General Employment PermitEUR 36,605
Critical Skills, recent graduateEUR 36,848
Critical Skills, with degreeEUR 40,904
Critical Skills, any occupationEUR 68,911
stubs, in the vitrine
EUR 0
full tank, official charges onlyEF
DETE permit feeEUR 1,000Immigration registration (IRP)EUR 300Entry visa, if requiredEUR 100
Official charges only. Amounts are indicative and set by DETE and ISD. Check the current fees before you apply.
receipts, in the vitrine
DETE permit
EUR 1,000
Immigration
EUR 300
Entry visa,
EUR 100
EUR 34,009
04 GraduateEUR 36,605
05 GeneralEUR 40,904
06 Critical21months
Two salary doors in
08 factHave the company file ready
09 tiplabour market test
10 not requiredThis route
VS
General Permit
0 months sooner on this route
rings, in Folder 01
How the Critical Skills Employment Permit compares with the other main routes to sponsor a hire.
| Criteria | Critical Skills | General Permit | Intra-Company Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum salary | EUR 40,904 | EUR 36,605 | EUR 49,523 |
| Labour market needs test | No | Yes | No |
| Route to Stamp 4 | After 21 months | After 57 months | After 57 months |
| Immediate family reunification | Yes | After 12 months | Yes |
| Occupation requirement | On the critical skills list | Not on the ineligible list | Senior or key staff |
| Typical DETE decision | 8 to 13 weeks | 8 to 13 weeks | 8 to 13 weeks |
Plaque 02 The payoff
After 21 months of employment, counted from the commencement date on the Revenue Employment Detail Summary, the holder applies directly to ISD for Stamp 4 and can stay without an ongoing permit.
On the record
Reflects current ISD Stamp 4 eligibility for Critical Skills permit holders. Timelines depend on individual circumstances.
Assess and gather
2wk
Prepare EPOS file
2wk
DETE decision
10wk
Visa and IRP
3wk
0 wk
0 wk
0 wk
0 wk
0weeks
Assess eligibility
Prepare the EPOS file
Submit and manage
Grant and mobilise
Path to Stamp 4
Signed job offer of at least two years with an Irish employerAnnual salary meeting the applicable Critical Skills floor, from EUR 40,904 with a relevant degreeRole listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or salary of EUR 68,911 or more for most other occupationsEmployee degree or evidence of the relevant qualifications and experienceCompany registration and tax details, matching across CRO, Revenue and EPOSEmployer account created and verified in the Employment Permits Online SystemValid passport and, where applicable, an entry visa for travel to Ireland
Plaque 03 The family
Yes. Spouses and dependants can join immediately, and spouses or de facto partners can access the Irish labour market on their own permission, which is a strong recruitment advantage.
more pieces, in the vitrine
Q01Do we have to advertise the role first?
No. Critical Skills roles are exempt from the labour market needs test, so there is no 28-day advertising period. That is the single biggest time saving over the General Employment Permit route.
Q02When can our employee move to Stamp 4?
After 21 months of employment, counted from the commencement date on the Revenue Employment Detail Summary, the holder applies directly to ISD for Stamp 4 and can stay without an ongoing permit. The old DETE support letter was discontinued on 30 November 2023, so the application now goes straight to immigration.
Q03Can the employee's family come too?
Yes. Spouses and dependants can join immediately, and spouses or de facto partners can access the Irish labour market on their own permission, which is a strong recruitment advantage.
Q04What if the role is not on the Critical Skills list?
If the occupation is not listed, the role can still qualify at a salary of EUR 68,911 or more, provided it is not on the ineligible list. Otherwise the General Employment Permit is usually the correct route.
Q05How long does a DETE decision take?
Currently around 8 to 13 weeks once a complete application is lodged, depending on DETE workload. We track your case against the Department's published processing dates so start dates stay realistic.
OfficialEUR 40,904 floor
Critical Skills permit, official page
Read the eligibility rules, the Critical Skills Occupations List and the salary thresholds straight from the Department.
enterprise.gov.ie
Do firstEUR 1,000 fee
EPOS, apply online
Submit and pay for the Critical Skills application on the Employment Permits Online System.
epos.enterprise.gov.ie
ToolUpdated weekly
Current processing dates
Check which application date the Department is working on before you chase a decision.
enterprise.gov.ie
OfficialEUR 300 per year
Register the IRP after arrival
Book the immigration registration appointment so your new hire gets their residence card and stamp.
irishimmigration.ie
Guide
Immigration stamps explained
See what Stamp 1 allows now and what Stamp 4 will allow after 21 months of employment on the permit.
irishimmigration.ie
GuideFree
Citizens Information on employment permits
A plain-English explainer your candidate can read on their rights and conditions under the permit.
citizensinformation.ie
Note 02Booking note
If the occupation is not listed, the role can still qualify at a salary of EUR 68,911 or more, provided it is not on the ineligible list. Otherwise the General Employment Permit is usually the correct route.
Ref VW-BOOK, typed for the wall
Figures on this page are indicative and depend on your circumstances and current DETE and ISD rules.