Hiring in Ireland? Or working here, and unsure where you stand on permits?
Here’s a short, clear breakdown of what’s changed, what’s required, and what to avoid assuming in 2025. No jargon. Just the facts I deal with every day.
The Main Permits – What’s What (No Fluff)
Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)
For in-demand roles like Software Engineers, DevOps, Analysts, and others on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
- Minimum salary: €38,000 (if degree-qualified)
- Stamp 4 after 2 years
- Spouse or partner can work on Stamp 1G
- No Labour Market Needs Test
General Employment Permit (GEP)
Covers roles not on the Critical list
- Minimum salary: €30,000–€39,000
- Labour Market Needs Test is usually required
- Stamp 4 after 5 years
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit
For staff relocating to an Irish branch of their multinational
- Not a route to long-term residency or Stamp 4
- Max stay: 2 years (trainees), 5 years (key personnel)
Dependant/Partner/Spouse (DPS) Permit
For spouses of CSEP or Stamp 4 holders
- No minimum salary
- No Labour Market Needs Test
- Straightforward for employers
Stamp 1G
Applies to:
- Non-EEA graduates from Irish universities (12–24 month stay-back)
- Spouses/partners of CSEP holders
- Full-time work allowed
- Not a path to long-term residency unless sponsored later
New for 2025: You Can Change Employers Mid-Permit (Here’s How)
Since September 2024, CSEP and GEP holders can switch employers without applying for a brand-new permit—if they’ve been with their current employer for 9 months.
What’s required:
- The new job must be in the same occupation classification
- CSEP: same 3-digit SOC code
- GEP: same 4-digit SOC code
- You must start the new job within one month of the permit being issued
- You can only switch employers up to three times
Top Questions Clients and Candidates Ask Me
Can we sponsor this role? Check the eligible occupations list and make sure it hits the salary threshold. The Labour Market Needs Test might apply if it’s a GEP.
Is ICT a path to Stamp 4? No. It’s a temporary permit. You can’t transition to long-term residency from an ICT. Source
Can we hire someone with Stamp 1G? Yes—if they’re still within the 12–24 month validity. It’s common for recent grads and spouses of CSEP holders.
Can someone start work while waiting for a permit to be approved? Not unless they already have valid work permission in Ireland. Worth being cautious here—this can trip people up.
Can we hire someone on a DPS permit? Yes—and it’s one of the smoother options. No sponsorship required, no salary minimums, and minimal admin.
Final Word
Permits can be a bit of a maze—but once you’ve got the right info in plain English, it’s a lot easier to navigate.
I’m not an immigration expert—just someone who deals with this day in, and day out across hiring and job moves. This is simply a practical guide to help make sense of it all.
Hope it clears a few things up.
And if it did, feel free to save or share it—it might help someone else too.
Som Rajendra – Sr Management Consultant - Tech & Engineering Recruitment