Critical Skills Work Permit Ireland
The Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) is designed to attract highly skilled workers to Ireland. It is provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Professionals on the Critical Skills Occupation List are exempt from the Labour Market Needs Test.
EEA (the EU, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) Switzerland and UK nationals do not require an employment permit in order to work in Ireland. Non EEA nationals generally need an employment permit (or other immigration permission) to work.
Family/Spouse Work Rights
Since 2024 spouses and de facto partners of CSEP holders are eligible for Stamp 1G when they register. This gives them the right to work in Ireland without an employment permit. It is however important to check the most up to date Immigration Service/DETE guidance for the current stamp & registration process.
Critical Skills Work Permit Requirements
The department of enterprise trade and employment examines the following criteria when they assess the Critical Skills Employment Permit applications.
- You must earn an annual salary of €44,000 if the role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List and requires a relevant degree or higher.
- If your role is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List, you can still qualify for a Critical Skills Employment Permit if your annual salary is €64,000 or more, and you will be exempt from the Labour Market Needs Test.
- You must have secured a 2 year job offer from a prospective employer who is registered with the Revenue commissioners in Ireland and the Companies Registration Office.
Two Step Process for Health & Social Care Professionals
If you are a Health & Social Care Professional who is looking to relocate to Ireland you will be required to validate and register your qualifications with CORU. CORU provides a list of approved qualifications for each profession who is looking to apply for registration.
If you qualified outside of Ireland you will need to have your qualification recognised by CORU and then join the professional register.
The following list of Health & Social Care Professionals must be registered with CORU. CORU provide a list of approved qualifications for each profession on their website among those available are:
- Dietitians Approved Qualifications
- Occupational Therapists Approved Qualifications
- Physiotherapists Approved Qualifications
- Podiatrists Approved Qualifications
- Radiographers and Radiation Therapists Approved Qualifications
- Social Care Workers Approved Qualifications
- Social Workers Approved Qualifications
- Speech and Language Therapists Approved Qualifications
You can verify your qualifications have been approved by checking the CORU website.
Summary
If you are a healthcare professional who is planning to relocate to Ireland, researching the Critical Skills Permit is essential for a successful move. It is also a fantastic opportunity to relocate to a country where your skills are in high demand and opens the doors for career progression and advancement.
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