Ireland · IE-GEP · Work visa

General Employment Permit

Initially 2 years, renewable for up to 3 more.

8 official facts · checked 5 Nov 2026

Cost
€1,000
Time
see below
Stay
24 months
Ireland IE-GEP

General Employment Permit

8 verified facts

Cost
€1,000 for a permit of up to 24 months.
Time
On 3 November 2026, DETE was processing new General Employment Permit applications received on 25 September 2026.
Stay
Initially 2 years, renewable for up to 3 more.
Leads to
You may move to Stamp 4 (long-term residence permission) after 57 months of employment on this permit. Not automatic.
Your match

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The details

What the official rules say

Each line links to its official source and the date we checked it. Anything we could not check is marked.

Cost

€1,000

€1,000 for a permit of up to 24 months.

≈ USD 1,118 — indicative only, at the ECB reference rate of 3 Nov 2026. Not an official fee.

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

How long it takes

On 3 November 2026, DETE was processing new General Employment Permit applications received on 25 September 2026.

The date they are working on now, not a waiting time

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

How long you can stay

Initially 2 years, renewable for up to 3 more.

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

Can it lead to living there permanently?

You may move to Stamp 4 (long-term residence permission) after 57 months of employment on this permit. Not automatic.

irishimmigration.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

Rules

Generally at least €36,605 a year (€32,691 for some roles; €34,009 with a relevant Irish degree from the last 12 months).

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

In most cases the employer must first run a Labour Market Needs Test (advertise the job).

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

You need a job offer from a real employer trading in Ireland.

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 5 Nov 2026

These are the official rules we have so far. There may be more. Read the official page before you apply.

Official page

General Employment Permit — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

enterprise.gov.ie ↗ · checked 4 Nov 2026

What can come next
  1. This visa General Employment Permit
  2. Next step Next step: permanent residence — details coming soon

A possible next step. Times come from each visa's official rules. See what long-term visas need.

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