Ireland · Skilled Worker Visa

General Employment Permit

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology
6.5/10 diff
Challenging

Requirements verified against the official government source.

Min income
€3,050/mo
Processing
84+ days
Path to PR
Yes
Job offer
Required

At a Glance

Visa Duration
24 months
Processing Time
84+ days
Min Income
€3,050/mo
Path to PR
Yes
Difficulty
6/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Age Range18–65
Job Offer RequiredYes
Sponsorship RequiredYes
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Financial Requirements

ItemAmount
Minimum Income€3,050/mo
Minimum Salary€36,605/yr

Application Timeline

1
Job search and labour market test
14–60 days
Min EUR 34k. Not on Ineligible List. 28-day Labour Market Needs Test.
2
Online application
7–14 days
Online. Fee EUR 1,000. LMNT evidence required.
Blocker: job offer + LMNT
3
DETE processing
63–77 days
Current 9-11 weeks. Slower than Critical Skills.
Blocker: complete application
4
Arrive and register
7–30 days
IRP registration. Stamp 1.
Blocker: permit granted

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Path to Permanent ResidencyYes

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Dublin
Single (monthly)€3,043
Family (monthly)€5,400
Rent 1BR (center)€2,500
Groceries€761
Transport pass€183
Cork
Single (monthly)€2,595
Family (monthly)€4,600
Rent 1BR (center)€2,000
Groceries€649
Transport pass€156
Galway
Single (monthly)€2,514
Family (monthly)€4,400
Rent 1BR (center)€1,850
Groceries€628
Transport pass€151

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the General Employment Permit?

The General Employment Permit is an immigration pathway offered by Ireland. It falls under the Skilled Worker Visa category.

What are the financial requirements for the General Employment Permit?

Applicants need minimum income of €3,050/mo, minimum salary of €36,605/yr. Additional costs may include relocation expenses, insurance, and document attestation.

Can the General Employment Permit lead to permanent residency?

Yes — this pathway can lead to permanent residence, subject to meeting the residence and other conditions. We do not publish a qualifying timeline for this route because we have no official source stating one; check with the relevant authority for the current residence requirement.

Are there alternative pathways to Ireland?

Yes. Ireland offers 14 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Ireland country page.

What is the cost of living in Ireland?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Dublin: €3,043/mo; Cork: €2,595/mo; Galway: €2,514/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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