Hiring overseas workers can help your business address skills shortages and fill positions that are difficult to recruit locally. However, before you begin the recruitment process, it's important to understand Ireland's employment permit system and the different permit options available for overseas hires.

Ireland offers several types of employment permits to meet different workforce needs. Among these, the Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) and General Employment Permit (GEP) are the two permits most commonly used by Irish employers when recruiting overseas workers. While both allow eligible non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland, they are designed for different occupations and have different requirements. Understanding the differences between these permits can help you determine which option may be most suitable for your hiring needs.

What Is an Employment Permit?

If you plan to hire a non-EEA national, they will generally need an appropriate employment permit before they can work for your business, unless they already hold an Irish immigration permission that allows them to work without one, such as Stamp 4.

It is important to note that an employment permit is not a visa. An employment permit gives an eligible overseas worker permission to work in Ireland, while a visa, where required, allows them to travel to Ireland.

The Critical Skills Employment Permit

 The CSEP is designed to help Irish businesses recruit highly skilled overseas workers for roles that are important to Ireland’s economic growth and where there are recognised skills shortages.

Rather than covering a broad range of occupations, the CSEP focuses on roles that require specialised skills and are primarily listed on Ireland's Critical Skills Occupations List.

What You Need to Consider Before Hiring Under the CSEP

Before recruiting an overseas worker through the CSEP, you should consider whether:

• The position meets the eligibility criteria for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
• The candidate has the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience required for the role.
• The role meets the required minimum salary threshold.
• You can provide a minimum of two-year employment offer.
• Your business meets the required employer criteria, including the 50:50 Rule, which generally requires at least 50% of your workforce to be EEA nationals. An exemption may apply to start-up companies registered with Revenue within the last 2 years and supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.

Minimum Salary Requirements

To qualify for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, the salary offered must meet the applicable threshold depending on the occupation and eligibility route:

• €40,904 per year – for eligible occupations listed on the Critical Skills Occupations List where the relevant qualification requirements are met.
• €36,848 per year – may apply where the applicant obtained their relevant qualification within 12 months before applying.
• €68,911 per year – for other eligible highly skilled occupations that are not included on the Critical Skills Occupations List, provided the role is not on the Ineligible Occupations List.

The CSEP can provide a more streamlined recruitment pathway because eligible applications generally do not require a Labour Market Needs Test.

It also allows eligible workers to progress towards a longer-term pathway in Ireland, including the possibility of applying for Stamp 4 permission after meeting the relevant requirements.

The General Employment Permit

The GEP allows you to recruit non-EEA nationals for a broad range of eligible occupations where you are unable to fill the position through the local labour market.

Unlike the CSEP, which is focused on occupations identified as having critical skills shortages, the GEP may apply to a wider range of roles, provided the occupation is not included on Ireland’s Ineligible List of Occupations and the relevant permit requirements are met.

What You Need to Consider Before Hiring Under the GEP

Before recruiting an overseas worker through the GEP, you should consider whether:

• The position is eligible under the General Employment Permit criteria and is not included on the Ineligible List of Occupations.
• The candidate has the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience required for the role.
• The role meets the required minimum salary threshold.
• You are required to complete a Labour Market Needs Test of 28 days minimum before submitting your application.
• Your business meets the required employer criteria, including the 50:50 Rule, which generally requires at least 50% of your workforce to be EEA nationals. An exemption may apply to start-up companies registered with Revenue within the last 2 years and supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.

Minimum Salary Requirements

To qualify for a General Employment Permit, the salary offered must generally meet the minimum annual remuneration threshold:

• €36,605 per year – general minimum salary threshold.
• €32,691 per year – may apply to certain roles, including Health Care Assistants, Home Support Workers, Horticulture Workers, and Meat Processing Operatives.
• €34,009 per year – may apply where the applicant holds a relevant degree from an Irish third-level institution obtained within the previous 12 months.

Unlike the CSEP, a Labour Market Needs Test is generally required for GEP applications, meaning employers must demonstrate that they have first attempted to recruit from the local labour market before hiring an overseas worker. 

CSEP vs GEP Comparison

Which Employment Permit Is Right for Your Business?

Before deciding which employment permit to apply for, start by reviewing the role you need to fill. The occupation, skills required, candidate experience, and salary offered will help determine whether the position may be suitable for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) or a General Employment Permit (GEP).

Choosing the correct permit pathway at the beginning of the recruitment process can help employers prepare the right documentation, understand the requirements involved, and avoid unnecessary delays.

If you are unsure which employment permit may apply to your vacancy, we can help you assess your recruitment needs and guide you through the overseas hiring process.