Critical Skills Employment Permit — listed critical-skills occupation

Eligible occupations under this type of permit are deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland’s economy, are highly demanded and highly skilled, and in significant shortage of supply in our labour market.

Occupations such as ICT professionals, professional engineers and technologists are catered for under this type of employment permit.

Occupations with a minimum annual remuneration of €40,904 for a restricted number of strategically important occupations contained in the Critical Skills Occupations List a relevant degree qualification or higher is required. Where the applicant has received their qualification within the 12 month period prior to the date of application for the employment permit, the minimum annual remuneration will be €36,848. Where the role is in the public sector and is covered by a public sector pay agreement (including Section 38 Employers), then the annual remuneration will be the rate of pay of that agreement. In the case of a nurse or midwife, a third level degree or diploma accepted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as a sufficient qualification for registration to practice as a nurse or midwife in the State.

The prospective employee concerned must have secured a 2-year job offer in respect of the eligible occupation from the prospective employer. Further criteria include: The prospective employee concerned must possess the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that are required for the employment.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment examines a number of criteria when assessing Critical Skills Employment Permit applications including a job offer from a bona-fide employer based and trading in Ireland and who is registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, where applicable, the Companies Registration Office/Register of Friendly Societies.

The permit allows the prospective employee to be employed in the State by the named employer and in the occupation and location/s specified on the permit.

While the job offer must be of 2 years’ duration, the foreign national is expected to stay with the initial employer for a minimum period of 9 months.

Permit holders can apply for immediate family reunification from the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice and Equality and once their dependants/partners/spouses are resident in the State they are eligible to seek any employment and apply to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit which is currently issued free of charge.

they are only issued in respect of a job offer that is at least a minimum of 2 years’ duration.

A feature of the Critical Skills Employment Permit is that holders whose employment permit and immigration registration card are due to expire will not be required to apply for a renewal permit through the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Instead, Critical Skills Employment Permit  can apply directly to the Dept of Justice for a Stamp 4.

The Immigration permission granted by the Garda National Immigration Bureau will be for 2 years, which is then renewable

On achieving 60 months residency permission, Critical Skills Employment Permit or Green Card Employment Permit holders will then be permitted to make an application for long term residence