How much does an Ireland work visa cost?

Government fees are about $1,000 for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and $1,000 for the General Employment Permit (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.

How long does an Ireland visa take to process?

Typical processing is 8–16 weeks for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and 10–20 weeks for the General Employment Permit, plus the time needed to gather documents.

Can I move to Ireland without a job offer?

Every Ireland route we track requires a job offer from an employer in Ireland.

What income do I need for an Ireland visa?

Minimum income is about $44,000 a year for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and $39,000 a year for the General Employment Permit (USD equivalents of thresholds set in local currency).

Which Ireland visas lead to permanent residency?

The Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

🇮🇪 Ireland visas: requirements, costs, and processing times

Last verified: September 2, 2026

We track 2 Ireland visa routes: Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit. Each is verified against the official government source for Indians.

Compare Ireland visa costs and processing times

Visa	Gov. fee	Processing	Min. income	Job offer
Critical Skills Employment Permitwork	$1,000	8–16 weeks	$44,000/year	Required
General Employment Permitwork	$1,000	10–20 weeks	$39,000/year	Required

Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents. A range means the figure differs by nationality.

Ireland visa types

Critical Skills Employment Permit

work

Ireland's premium work route, aimed at occupations on the Critical Skills Occupation List — software, engineering, healthcare, finance and similar. From 1 March 2026 the salary floor is €40,904, dropping to €36,848 if you obtained your qualification within the previous twelve months and the role is on the list. There is also a €68,911 route for people without a relevant degree but with strong experience. Unlike the General permit there is no labour market needs test, your spouse gets immediate access to the labour market, and after two years you can apply for Stamp 4, which frees you from employer sponsorship entirely. Ireland published a roadmap in December 2025 phasing further threshold increases through 2030, so verify the current figure before relying on an older offer.

General Employment Permit

work

The broader work permit for roles not on the Critical Skills list. From 1 March 2026 the minimum salary is €36,605, with a lower €32,691 band for meat processors, horticultural workers, healthcare assistants and home carers. Unlike the Critical Skills permit this route normally requires a Labour Market Needs Test — the employer must advertise the role with the Department of Social Protection and in national media before offering it to you — and employers must generally maintain a 50:50 ratio of EEA to non-EEA staff. It is tied to a specific employer for the first twelve months, and long-term residence takes five years rather than two.

Ireland visa guides by nationality

🇮🇳 Ireland visas for Indians

Not sure which Ireland visa fits?

Answer 6 questions and see every visa you qualify for — free.

Check my eligibility

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Ireland work visa cost?: Government fees are about $1,000 for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and $1,000 for the General Employment Permit (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.
How long does an Ireland visa take to process?: Typical processing is 8–16 weeks for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and 10–20 weeks for the General Employment Permit, plus the time needed to gather documents.
Can I move to Ireland without a job offer?: Every Ireland route we track requires a job offer from an employer in Ireland.
What income do I need for an Ireland visa?: Minimum income is about $44,000 a year for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and $39,000 a year for the General Employment Permit (USD equivalents of thresholds set in local currency).
Which Ireland visas lead to permanent residency?: The Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

Always confirm requirements with the official government source linked on each visa page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Browse visas for other countries.