Ireland’s programs for displaced talent
Key facilitation measures
Ireland has a two-stage process using existing statutory schemes – employment permit application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and once granted, a Long Stay D visa – single entry must be obtained from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (DJHAM).
DJHAM visa concessions
- Marking all visa applications as STEP on visa application
- Processing centrally in Dublin by dedicated team
- Flexibility on provision of bank account statements withalternative options available
- Flexibility on travel documents if no valid passport
- Flexibility on health and travel insurance policy on visa application but travel insurance must be obtained before travel to Ireland and health insurance post-arrival
- Allowing 180 days for entry to Ireland from date of visa issuance
- Applicants holding Critical Skills Employment Permits (see below) with family members should apply for Join Family visas for their dependents when their own visa application is submitted and marking them as STEP
| Ireland Skills Talent and Empowerment through Pathways (STEP) | |
|---|---|
| Visa/permit instrument | Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) General Employment Permit (GEP) |
| Length of stay | Pathway to long term residency after 2 years (CSEP) and 5 years (GEP). |
| No. visas available under program | Uncapped although quotas apply to a limited number of GEP roles. |
| Most common recruiting industries | ICT, Engineering, Pharmaceutical , Construction, Manufacturing and Healthcare. |
| Visa processing times | Approx. 8-12 weeks. |
| About the applicant | |
| Who can apply? | Refugee or Displaced Person (assessed by TBB as being in need of international protection/durable solution). |
| Location of applicant | Anywhere. |
| What family members can be included | Spouse or de facto partner and any dependent children aged under 18 or up to age 23 if in full time education. CSEP provides immediate family reunification but GEP after 12 months only on application. |
| Language requirement | None, with the exception of some regulated healthcare professionals to meet professional registration requirements. |
| How language can be tested | N/A except for a limited number of healthcare roles. |
| Proof of education / qualification | Specific to role but generally CSEP applications require minimum Bachelor’s Degree level in the area for which the permit is sought |
| Skills/credential assessment with a professional body | N/A except for healthcare and some construction related roles |
| Proof of minimum work experience | No visa requirement. But employers may require work experience as part of the recruitment process. |
| Licensing requirements (eg. for healthcare roles) | NMBI registration for nurses CORU registration for allied health professionals – health and social care. |
| Age requirement | 18+. |
| Health | Private health insurance must be obtained to meet immigration/visa requirements but no health assessment required. |
| Character and security | Background and security check conducted by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration as part of the visa processing but criteria and specifics are not disclosed. |
| Travel document requirement | Preference for a valid travel document but Government open to facilitating travel with out of date travel documents or issuing a laissez-passer. |
| Biometrics | Only taken when registering for Irish Residence Permit following arrival. |
| About the employer | |
| How can employers access the scheme? | Any employer that has roles that meet the statutory criteria under the employment permits system. |
| What businesses are able to sponsor? | As above, no restriction according to business type/size. |
| About the job | |
| Eligible occupations | As per the employment permits system – Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit and not on the Ineligible List of Occupations. |
| Labour Market Testing | Labour Market Needs Test for General Employment Permit only. |
| Work hours | Employment Permits are issued for full time roles only. |
| Contract length | Minimum 12 (GEP) and 24 months (CSEP). |
| Salary minimum | Various minimum conditions depending on type of employment permit and specific role but generally minimum annual salary of €38,000 for CSEP and €34,000 for GEP. |
| Obligations on the business | None in addition to those which apply to all employers that they must act in accordance with Irish (and EU law). |
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