Ireland Work Visa – Everything You Need to Know

Ireland is becoming a popular spot for professionals across the globe because of its strong economy, the need for skilled people, and the fact that English is spoken there. If you’re considering working in Ireland, here’s what you should know about getting a work visa in 2026.

• In 2025, Ireland gave out over 40,000 new work permits, which is a 12% increase from the year before (Dept. of Enterprise).
• The Critical Skills Employment Permits made up 38% of all permissions in areas where skills are lacking.
• The average yearly salary in Ireland is €53,000, and those in tech and healthcare usually earn even more.
• Ireland is ranked #4 in the world for work-life balance and how happy employees are (OECD 2025).
• More than 18% of Ireland’s workers are from outside the EEA, which shows how diverse the work environment is.

*Want assistance to apply for work in Ireland? Sign up with Y-Axis is here to assist you with the process.
 

What is an Ireland Work Visa?

An Ireland Work Visa grants people from outside the EEA, like Canadians, the legal right to live and be employed in Ireland. Usually, you’ll need this visa in addition to an Employment Permit, which your Irish employer must apply for on your behalf.

The visa (Long Stay “D” Visa) allows you to enter Ireland. The employment permit allows you to work in a specific job for a certain employer. This two-step procedure makes sure everything follows Irish immigration laws and addresses the needs of the Irish job market.
 

Why Consider Working in Ireland?

• There is a demand for skilled workers in areas like tech, healthcare, and engineering.
• Salaries are competitive, and employees have good protection.
• Businesses can access EU markets, and people can travel freely within the Schengen Area.
• People generally have a good quality of life, and the healthcare and education systems are excellent.
• It is possible to obtain long-term residency and citizenship.

*Looking for assistance to apply for work overseas? Y-Axis is here to guide you with the process.

Benefits of an Ireland Work Visa

Some of the benefits of an Ireland Work Visa are given below.

• The chance to work legally in Ireland.
• The option for your family members to join you.
• Access to government services and healthcare.
• The ability to change jobs under certain rules.
• A path to permanent residency after living there for five years.
   

Types of Ireland Work Visas

Ireland offers various types of work visas. Some of the popular ones are:

• Critical Skills Employment Permit
• General Employment Permit
• Intra-Company Transfer Permit
• Contract for Services Employment Permit
• Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit
• Other Employment Permits

Critical Skills Employment Permit

The Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit aims to attract skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including those from Canada, to fill jobs where there are worker shortages in Ireland.

This permit suits professionals in fields like IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance, and it offers some benefits:

• It has a validity of 2 years at first and can lead to long-term residency.
• Spouses and dependents can come along and apply for their own work permits.
• Eligible jobs do not need a Labour Market Needs Test.
• With a relevant college degree: €38,000, going up to €44,000 by January 2026
• Without a degree (based on work experience): €64,000, with no planned raise.

These salary requirements make sure the permit goes to professionals in roles that are in demand and well-paid. They also give Canada-based applicants a clear idea of how to qualify.

*Want to apply for jobs abroad? Y-Axis is here to offer you the required support with the process.
 

General Employment Permit

The General Employment Permit lets non-EEA citizens, such as Canadians, work in Ireland in jobs not on the Critical Skills Occupations List.

• This permit covers many jobs if no EU/EEA candidate is available.
• Applicants need to make at least €34,000 per year (€30,000 for some graduate and specialized jobs).
• Usually, employers must do a Labour Market Needs Test, which means they have to advertise the job locally before hiring someone from another country.
   

Intra-Company Transfer Permit

The Ireland Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Employment Permit lets global firms move staff from an overseas branch or related company to their Irish location. This is suited for managers, important staff, or those in training who need to work in Ireland for a short time.

• This permit usually lasts up to 2 years, and senior staff may be able to extend it to 3 years.
• A Labour Market Needs Test isn't needed since the move is within the same company group.
• People applying must have worked for the overseas company for a set time (usually 6 months to 1 year, based on their job).

Contract for Services Employment Permit

The Ireland Contract for Services Employment Permit is for people from outside the EEA, such as Canadians, who work for a company based abroad that has a service contract with an Irish business. It lets the company send its workers to Ireland for a short time to fulfill the contract.

This applies to workers who are not directly employed by an Irish company but are instead sent over under a service contract. The worker must have been with the foreign company for at least half a year before being sent to Ireland. Usually, a check to see if there is a need for this worker in the Irish job market is needed, but there are exceptions.
 

Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit

The Ireland Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit lets relatives of some employment permit holders (such as those with Critical Skills Employment Permits) reside and be employed in Ireland. It is made for relatives of foreign citizens working in Ireland with the correct permits.

• Family members can do any job in Ireland; a Labour Market Needs Test is not needed.
• The permit typically lasts as long as the primary permit holder’s job permit.
• People applying must show they are related and that the main permit holder has a legal job in Ireland.

Other Employment Permits

Ireland's Other Employment Permits cater to job roles not covered by standard permits such as Critical Skills or General Employment Permits. These permits address particular scenarios and specialized positions to help Ireland's economy, culture, and society.

Examples include:

• Internship Employment Permit: Allows non-EEA students to get work experience.
• Exchange Agreement Employment Permit: For international agreements like AIESEC or IAESTE.
• Reactivation Employment Permit: For past permit holders who are coming back to work.
• Sports and Cultural Employment Permit: For athletes, coaches, and artists.

Each of these permits has its own rules for who can apply, how long it lasts, and what salary is required.
 

Eligibility Criteria for an Ireland Work Visa

The eligibility criteria for an Ireland Work Visa include:

• Have a job offer from an employer located in Ireland.
• Meet the minimum salary requirements (for example, €34,000 for jobs on the Critical Skills list).
• Possess needed credentials and job history.
• Have a clean criminal record and evidence of current health insurance.
• Have their employers complete a Labour Market Needs Test (if applying for a General Employment Permit).

Documents and Requirements for an Ireland Work Visa

The documents required to apply for Ireland Work Visa are given below.

• A passport with a validity of at least 12 months remaining.
• A signed employment agreement.
• Evidence of your skills and work experience.
• No criminal records.
• Health coverage and proof of where you will be staying in Ireland.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for an Ireland Work Visa

The process to apply for an Ireland Work Visa is given below.

Step 1: Secure a job offer from an Irish company.

Step 2: Have your employer apply for your work permit.

Step 3: After the permit is approved, if needed, apply for a long-stay visa.

Step 4: Travel to Ireland and register with immigration within 90 days of arrival.

Step 5: Get your Ireland Residence Permit (IRP) card.

Ireland Work Visa Fees

Detailed information about the fees required to apply for Ireland work visa.

Type of Fee	Amount (EUR)
Employment Permit (up to 6 months)	€ 500
Employment Permit (up to 2 years)	€ 1,000
Employment Permit Renewal (up to 3 years)	€ 1,500
Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)	€ 60
Stamp Registration Fee (Irish Residence Permit)	€ 300

 

Ireland Work Visa Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time for Ireland Work Visa is given below.

Type of Employment Permit	Estimated Processing Time
Critical Skills Employment Permit	6–8 weeks
General Employment Permit	8–12 weeks
Intra-Company Transfer Permit	6–10 weeks
Contract for Services Employment Permit	8–12 weeks
Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit	4–6 weeks
Other Employment Permits	6–10 weeks
Long-Stay Visa (Visa D)	4–6 weeks (after permit approval)

 

Renewal and Extension of Ireland Work Visas

Details about the renewal and extension of Ireland Work visas are given below.

Stage	Validity	Key Details
Initial Employment Permit	Up to 2 years	Issued for Critical Skills, General, and other employment permits.
First Renewal	Up to 3 years	Apply at least 12 weeks before expiry; renewal fee is €1,500.
Stamp 4 Permission	After 5 years of residence	Allows you to work in Ireland without an employment permit; step towards long-term residency.
Long-Term Residency	After 5 years of legal stay	Eligible to apply for permanent residency; can later apply for Irish citizenship.

 

Challenges and Tips for a Successful Application

The possible challenges and tips to overcome them for a successful Ireland work visa application are given below.

Challenge	Tip for Success
Delays in Labour Market Needs Test	Target occupations on the Critical Skills list to bypass the test and speed up the process.
Complex and time-consuming documentation	Start preparing early and ensure all documents are complete, certified, and translated if required.
Visa and permit processing backlogs	Apply well in advance of your planned start date to avoid last-minute issues.
Employer's unfamiliarity with the process	Work with companies experienced in hiring non-EU workers or consult Irish immigration guidelines.
Language barriers (for General permits)	Learn basic English and/or Irish workplace terms to ease communication during and after the application.

 

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis offers advice to help people move to other countries for work. We assist professionals with their Ireland work visa applications by giving expert help throughout the whole process.

Our services include:

• Checking your skills and whether you can apply for a visa.
• Helping you gather papers and fill out forms.
• Advising you on getting a job offer and meeting job market needs.
• Supporting visa applications for your family.
• Providing help after you arrive, like registering your residence in Ireland.