Ireland Work Permit from India
Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the EU, and Indians are the largest group of non-European workers it admits. You need a job offer and one of two employment permits. The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for occupations Ireland is short of, and it leads to open residence in about two years. The General Employment Permit covers most other skilled jobs. Ireland is not in the Schengen area, so an Irish visa does not allow travel to the rest of Europe.
The two permits compared
| Critical Skills Employment Permit | General Employment Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Occupations | Those on the Critical Skills Occupations List, such as IT, engineering, health professionals, some finance and science roles | Any occupation not on the ineligible list |
| Qualification | A relevant degree for the lower salary band | Relevant qualifications or experience |
| Salary | A set minimum, higher for occupations not on the list | A lower set minimum |
| Labour market test | Not required | Required. The employer must advertise the job first |
| Offer length | At least 2 years | Any length |
| Family | Can come immediately. Spouse can work | Can come immediately. Spouse can work |
| Path to open residence | Stamp 4 after about 2 years | Stamp 4 after about 5 years |
Ireland has been raising its salary thresholds in stages. Check the figure in force on the day you apply.
How to apply
Job offer
from an employer registered in Ireland. At least half of the employer’s staff must generally be from the European Economic Area.
Employment permit application
online, by you or the employer.
Entry visa application
through the Irish visa office in New Delhi, once the permit is issued.
Register in Ireland
and receive your residence permission.
Who Ireland hires
- Technology. Dublin hosts the European headquarters of many global technology companies
- Healthcare. Nurses and doctors, with registration through the Irish regulators
- Pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Engineers, quality and validation specialists
- Finance and accounting
- Construction and engineering
Nurses
Ireland recruits nurses from India directly. You register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, meet its English requirement, and complete an adaptation period or aptitude test. Nurses qualify for the Critical Skills permit.
Cost of living
Salaries are high and so is rent. Housing in Dublin is scarce and expensive, and finding somewhere to live is the main difficulty new arrivals report. Cork, Galway and Limerick are somewhat cheaper.
Questions people ask us most
Is IELTS needed for an Irish work permit?
Not for the permit. Regulated professions such as nursing require it for registration.
Can my spouse work in Ireland?
Yes. Spouses of both permit types can now work without a separate permit.
Can I travel to Europe on an Irish visa?
No. Ireland is outside the Schengen area.
When can I get permanent status?
Stamp 4 after about two years on Critical Skills or five on General. Citizenship is possible after five years of residence.
Check which permit fits your offer
Send us your occupation and salary. We will tell you which permit applies and how soon you could reach Stamp 4.