Our guide to working in Ireland, the job market and employment permits

Posted on November 28, 2023 | Last Updated on January 9, 2024

Thinking of making the big move and working in Ireland? This is a great time as Ireland’s economy is thriving!

In the second quarter of 2023, the country hit a record-high employment rate of 74.2%, marking its highest ever recorded.

Amidst the economic growth, there’s a rising demand for skilled professionals across various industries, making it an attractive destination for your career growth!

In this article, we’ll uncover the industries that have skills in high demand in Ireland, and we’ll guide you through how you can obtain a work permit.

So, if you’re eager to combine your career goals with the charm of the Emerald Isle, read on!

Is there a shortage of skilled workers in Ireland?

Simply put, yes, there is a significant shortage of skilled workers in Ireland.

Although companies are actively making an effort to hire, 81% of employers in Ireland are facing difficulties in finding skilled workers.

Employers are taking steps to alleviate the talent shortage through various initiatives like skills development programs. However, the government are also eager to address this issue by doing more to attract overseas workers.

Long story short; now is the perfect time for overseas workers to seek employment in Ireland.

What are the main skill shortages in Ireland?

The National Skills Bulletin is a yearly publication produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit of SOLAS.

In this publication, you’ll find information on the skills in demand in Ireland, making it a useful report for those seeking jobs in Ireland.

As stated in the 2023 National Skills Bulletin, the main occupations with skill shortages in Ireland are as follows:

IT (Information Technology)

This is currently a great sector in which to look for jobs in Ireland. Although IT has seen record-high employment in 2023, the large demand for IT skills remains.

The great news is that there are a high number of employment permits issued in this area to non-Irish citizens.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in IT?

• Software engineers/developers
• IT Project managers
• IT Business analysts

Science and Engineering

Ireland’s technology and pharmaceutical sectors are thriving and hence there is a demand for skilled professionals in these fields.

Ireland is also focusing on environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in various industries and sectors, such as greener technologies, sustainable sourcing, minimizing waste and recycling, and improving energy efficiency.

As a result, there is a need for scientists and engineers, so this is another area you could consider.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in science and engineering?

• Engineers in sectors like mechanical, quality control, electrical, etc.
• Scientists in sectors like medical and analytical
• Lab technicians

Healthcare

The HSE aims to employ more healthcare workers in Ireland, however, there is still a shortage of workers.

Therefore, there has also been an effort to employ overseas workers.

If a healthcare role in Ireland is for you, this is the perfect time to seek a job in this field.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in healthcare?

• Nurses
• Medical practitioners
• Healthcare Assistants

Read also:
Here’s what you need to know about Work Permits for Healthcare Assistants

Business and Finance

Employment in this field has grown steadily.

Despite the financial sector’s strong performance, there are still skill shortages as the field is constantly evolving.

Business and finance is another area in which Ireland intends to recruit foreign workers.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in business and finance?

• Business Analysts and Management Consultants
• Human resource managers
• Project managers

Construction

Like many industries, employment in construction also dropped during the pandemic, which has since recovered.

However, construction skills are in demand to meet the Government’s housing and climate action goals.

It’s estimated that between 2023 and 2030, there will be a need for around 50,000 new workers, spanning all skill levels, to meet housing targets.

Due to the significant shortage of construction workers in Ireland, building companies are planning to look for skilled construction workers worldwide.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in construction?

• Civil Engineers
• Structural and Site Engineers
• Quantity Surveyors
• Bricklayers
• Electricians
• Plumbers

Hospitality

The hospitality industry is vital in Ireland’s economy. It plays a significant role not only in the economy, but also contributes to employment, revenue, and the overall appeal of Ireland as a destination for travelers from around the world.

The pandemic impacted Ireland’s hospitality industry in regard to revenue loss and job losses.

However, the industry is on the rise again with a 53% increase in visitors in 2023 compared to 2022 and businesses are still finding it challenging to employ the staff they need.

This demand presents an opportunity for you to fill the existing gaps in Ireland’s vibrant hospitality sector.

What jobs are in demand in Ireland in hospitality?

• Bar and Restaurant Managers
• Hotel Managers
• Chefs

Are there any other occupations with shortages?

Some other occupations that have skills shortages include:

• Marketing and sales
• Transport and logistics
• Legal and Security
• Arts, Tourism and Sports
• Horticulture Operatives

Can I come to work in Ireland from abroad?

Another important question is: Are you from an EEA or from a non-EEA country?

There are significant differences in the immigration and work permit requirements for these two groups.

In short, EU/EEA citizens can live and work in Ireland without the need for a work permit or visa, however, non-EEA citizens generally need a valid permission with working rights (such as Working Holiday Authorisation, Student or Graduate permission, Employment permit etc.) in order to work in Ireland.

What is an Irish employment permit?

A work permit for Ireland, also known as an employment permit, is a legal document that entitles foreign nationals to work for a specific employer in a specified job.

Do you need a work permit to work in Ireland?

Whether or not you’ll need a work permit in Ireland depends mainly on your nationality.

To work in Ireland, EEA citizens won’t need a work permit.

Whereas, non-EEA citizens do need some sort of a permission with working rights such as an employment permit.

Work permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

What are the different types of Irish employment permits?

There are different types of Irish employment permits, and which one you apply for will depend on various factors like your qualifications, the specific job you’ve been offered, and the specific requirements of the permit that best match your situation.

General Employment Permit (GEP)

This permit is issued to people with skills in demand in Ireland and is available for a wide range of occupations.

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

This permit is for highly skilled and critical skills workers, typically in sectors that have labour shortages. Benefits you have with this permit include the possibility to bring your immediate family over and to apply for long-term residency much sooner compared to other permit types.

Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit (ICT)

This permit is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to an Irish branch of the same company.

Reactivation Employment Permit

This permit is for non-EEA nationals who previously held a valid Employment Permit but who fell out of the system through no fault of their own or who has been badly treated or exploited in the workplace, to work legally again.

Dependant Employment Permit

This permit allows dependants (children over 16) of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders to work in Ireland. The specific skills or qualifications required may vary based on the job offer.

How to apply for an Irish Employment permit

When applying for an Irish employment permit, the process is similar despite the type of permit you are applying for.

However, what can differ is the documents required and eligibility criteria for the different types of permits.

Either you or your employer (or a nominated agent) can submit the application for an employment permit.

However, applying for an employment permit isn’t an easy task by any means, and it’s not something you have to do alone. Instead, you can use a service like Visa First. We’ll ensure your are applying for the correct permit type and that your application is completed correctly in order to increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Here’s how you can apply:

1. Gather your documents. You will need to provide all necessary documentation some general documents include a job offer letter, proof of qualifications, a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, and an application form. Of course, any other documents you will need depend on the type of work permit you’re applying for and the country where you live.
2. We review your documents, prepare and submit your application with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on your behalf.
3. We then track the progress of your application and notify you once a decision has been made.

Start the process for your Irish Employment permit!

How much does it cost to obtain an Irish Employment permit?

When you apply with Visa First, the application cost starts from €2100 (that includes the fee for the Visa First assistance and the actual permit fee payable to the Department upon the submission of the application). In some cases there are additional costs related to position advertising or license, registration or recognition of qualifications.

How long does it take to obtain an Irish employment permit?

The amount of time it takes to process your work permit depends on factors such as how busy the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is, if your employer is registered as a Trusted partner and if any additional steps are required before the permit application can be submitted.

Generally speaking, the actual permit processing time is about 4-6 weeks.

However, an application can take longer to process if certain documents are missing or additional documents are requested.

If the employer is required to advertise the position for a General Employment permit, that will take at least 4 weeks and the permit application can be submitted only after the adverts have run for the required period of time.

If you are required to obtain additional documents such as a license, registration or recognition of qualifications that can take from a few weeks to a few months depending on the situation and the registration body processing times.

Irish Employment Permit Renewal

If your employment permit has an expiration date and you wish to continue working in Ireland after that date but are not able to obtain long-term residence straight away, you’ll need to renew the permit.

There are a couple of things you need to know before you make an application.

The type of application will depend on the specific type of work permit you already have. If you have a CSEPbut are not eligible for long-term residence, you will need a new CSEP application to be submitted. If you hold a General or Intra-company Transfer Employment permit, you will need a GEP or ICT renewal application.

You must also still be working for the same employer listed on your current permit and your employer needs to be able to demonstrate that you will still be working in this position.

Keep in mind that to be eligible for renewal, you must have complied with all the terms and conditions of your current permit.

Lastly, ensure to apply for your permit renewal at least 6-8 weeks before its expiry date.

Need help applying for your Irish work permit renewal? At Visa First, we can assist with that.

I received my employment permit, what’s next?

Once you get your employment permit, there might still be another step for you to take before coming to Ireland, and that is applying for an Employment visa.

Once you receive both of these or if you are visa-exempt, you are ready to travel to Ireland!

You will need to present a copy of your employment permit to the border officer upon entry in order to get the proper initial entry stamp. As your stay will be longer than 3 months, you will also be required to register with the local immigration office in order to obtain the so called Irish Residence permit (IRP).

Can my family accompany me to Ireland while I’m on an employment permit?

In short, you may have the option to bring your family along but this depends on the type of permit you hold.

If you hold a Critical Skills Work Permit, you can bring your family with you right away. If they also need visas, their applications can be submitted at the same time as yours or at a later stage (in case you prefer to travel first, settle and then have them join you).

If you hold a another type of employment permit, your family members can only join you after a year of employment. In this case, you need to be able to show that you can support any family members that are joining you.

Can my family members work in Ireland?

Whether or not your family members can work in Ireland when coming over will depend on the type of work permit you have.

If you have a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your de-facto partner or spouse can request working rights in Ireland by applying for a Stamp 1G IRP. Whereas, dependants can apply for a Dependant Employment Permit.

If you have a different type of work permit, your family members will need their own employment permits if they want to work in Ireland. They will need to apply for a specific work permit and the job they take must match the criteria for that permit. Further details on the types of employment permits they can choose from can be found here.

Ready to apply for your employment permit?

Applying for the Irish employment permit yourself? Why not take the stress off your shoulders and let Visa First take care of the process for you?

At Visa First, we can help you apply for your Irish General, Critical Skills or Intra-company transfer employment permit.

We can also assist with a Dependant Employment Permit for eligible children of those that hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit.

Why Visa First?

• We organise more than 10,000 visas each year. So it’s fair to say you’re in safe hands!
• We ensure your application is accurate and boost your chances of a successful outcome
• Your experienced and dedicated account manager will be on hand to guide you through the process from start-to-finish

Start the process for your Irish Employment Permit with Visa First Today!