Non-EEA nationals who want to live and work in Ireland need either an employment permit or a business-based residence permission. K&L Global identifies which route fits your situation and prepares the complete application.

What K&L Global does

• Assess your eligibility for the correct permit type based on      your specific situation

• Confirm whether the role is on the Critical Skills or      Ineligible Occupations List

• Manage the LMNT advertising process for GEP applications

• Prepare the complete employer and employee document pack for      EPOS submission

• Submit the application through EPOS and track progress

• Advise on the IRP registration process on arrival in Ireland

• Advise on investor and entrepreneur residence routes where      employment permits are not applicable

Who needs an employment permit?

Citizens of the EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Switzerland do not need an employment permit to work in Ireland. They have the right to live and work in Ireland without restriction.

UK citizens are covered by the Common Travel Area arrangements and do not need a permit for most purposes.

Non-EEA nationals who wish to work in Ireland need an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The only exception is Stamp 4 holders, who have an unrestricted right to work. Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/

Types of employment permit (2026)

Important — NMW floor: All applications submitted on or after 1 January 2026 must show the employee's basic salary is at or above the National Minimum Wage of €14.15 per hour (€28,696.20 per year). Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/latest-updates/

Ineligible occupations: Certain roles cannot be filled by non-EEA permit holders. Check the current Ineligible Occupations List at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/ — key ineligible categories include most clerical and administrative roles and general operative roles.

2026 salary threshold summary

Note: Salary thresholds will continue to increase annually through 2030. K&L Global updates these figures following each annual DETE review. Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2025/december/20251202.html

Document checklist — employment permit application

Submitted by employer through EPOS (https://epos.enterprise.gov.ie):

Employee documents:

Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/; https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/working-in-ireland/employment-permits/green-card-permits/

After the permit — Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

When a non-EEA national arrives in Ireland to start work on an employment permit, they must register with their local immigration office (or at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin) and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP)card within 90 days of arrival. The IRP card shows the immigration stamp type (Stamp 1 for employment permit holders) and biometric data is taken at registration.

Source: https://www.irishimmigration.ie

Stamp 4 — right to work without a permit: Employees who have held a valid employment permit for 5 continuous years are eligible to apply for Stamp 4, giving the unrestricted right to live and work in Ireland without a permit, for any employer, in any role. Source: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/

Residence permissions for investors and business people

Non-EEA nationals who establish or invest in an Irish company but do not take up employment may apply for residence through the following routes:

Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) The IIP has been suspended for new applications as of 15 February 2023 pending a government review. K&L Global advises clients to check the current status at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/investor before making any investment decision on the basis of this route.

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) Available to non-EEA entrepreneurs who can demonstrate a viable start-up concept and funding of at least €75,000. Applications are assessed by Enterprise Ireland. Source: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/start-up-entrepreneur-programme/

Business Permission Non-EEA nationals who operate a profitable business in Ireland and do not draw a salary may apply for a Business Permission assessed by the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). Source: https://www.irishimmigration.ie

K&L Global advises on which route is appropriate for each client's situation and prepares the application documentation.