Which Irish employers can hire from outside the EU?

An employer with a job offer can apply for an employment permit for a non-EEA national. The two main ones are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Each job here says whether its employer has been granted employment permits before: DETE publishes the companies it issues permits to.

Critical Skills or General Employment Permit: what is the difference?

A Critical Skills Employment Permit is for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or for jobs above a higher salary threshold, and is the faster route to longer-term residence. A General Employment Permit covers most other occupations not on the ineligible list, and the employer usually has to advertise the job first (the labour market needs test). Salary thresholds change, so check enterprise.gov.ie before you apply.

Do I need a job offer to get an employment permit?

Yes. A permit is for one job with one Irish employer, and the application names that job. Real employers never charge you for a job or a permit.

Can I apply from the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar?

Yes. These work visas are applied for from outside the country, so you can apply while you work in the Gulf or anywhere else. Many applications also ask for a police clearance certificate from the countries you have lived in, and the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issue them.

Is ApplyWave an employer or a recruitment agency?

No. ApplyWave lists jobs from employers and helps you prepare and send your application. We do not employ anyone or sponsor visas, and real employers never charge money for a job or a visa sponsorship.

Visa Sponsorship & Employment Permit Jobs in Ireland — 2026

6,308 openings in Ireland, 4,364 of them from employers on Irish employment permit records (DETE) — employers the Department of Enterprise granted permits to hire from outside the EEA.

1,396 new this week, updated dailyCheck an employer's sponsor licence How the employment permit works

All102,332CA11,128 UK32,378 AU11,656 IE6,317 NZ13,084 NL624

Heating & Ventilation Service Technician (Air Hygiene)

VENTILATION SURVEYS AND SERVICES IRELAND LIMITED

Carlow, Carlow, IE · +1 location · 2w ago

—

Commis Chef

DOLCE&SALATO LIMITED

Rathmacullig West Cork, Cork, IE · +2 locations · 2w ago

—

Coach Driver

BST EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT LIMITED

Limerick, Limerick, IE · +1 location · 2w ago

—

Recruitment Resoucer Dublin

BSS BUILDING STAFF SOLUTIONS LIMITED

MIGRABR LIMITED

IE · 2w ago

—

Marketing and Enrolment Executive

BUTTERFLIES CRECHE LIMITED

Lusk, Dublin, IE · 2w ago

—

Deli Assistant – Permanent Position

KERRY COUNTRY STORES LIMITED

Killorglin, Kerry, IE · 2w ago

—

Commercial Floor Installers

FLOOR FORM (IRELAND) LIMITED

Dunboyne, Meath, IE · 3w ago

—

Healthcare Assistant

Riadacare Munster Limited t/aOcean View Care Home

Camp, Kerry, IE · 3w ago

—

Draughtsperson

ST. MICHAEL'S PARISH COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME COMPANY LIMITED

Meath, IE · 3w ago

—

HGV Driver

D & E FITZGERALD (WICKLOW) LIMITED

Tinahely, Wicklow, IE · 3w ago

—

ApplyWave is not an employer or a recruitment agency. You apply to each employer directly — we find their contact and write your letter. Real employers never charge money for a job or a visa sponsorship.

Employers hiring now

On Irish employment permit records (DETE), with open jobs on ApplyWave today.

Amazon4116 permits (2025)62 open jobs →Google2564 permits (2025)30 open jobs →Dawn Meats2071 permits (2025)18 open jobs →Accenture1625 permits (2026)107 open jobs →Cork University Hospital1501 permits (2026)4 open jobs →Mowlam Healthcare Services1208 permits (2025)18 open jobs →Microsoft1167 permits (2025)15 open jobs →St. Vincent's Healthcare Group Libraries1143 permits (2025)14 open jobs →

All employers on Irish employment permit records (DETE) →

The Critical Skills Occupations List →

Questions about visa sponsorship jobs

Which Irish employers can hire from outside the EU?: An employer with a job offer can apply for an employment permit for a non-EEA national. The two main ones are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Each job here says whether its employer has been granted employment permits before: DETE publishes the companies it issues permits to.
Critical Skills or General Employment Permit: what is the difference?: A Critical Skills Employment Permit is for occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or for jobs above a higher salary threshold, and is the faster route to longer-term residence. A General Employment Permit covers most other occupations not on the ineligible list, and the employer usually has to advertise the job first (the labour market needs test). Salary thresholds change, so check enterprise.gov.ie before you apply.
Do I need a job offer to get an employment permit?: Yes. A permit is for one job with one Irish employer, and the application names that job. Real employers never charge you for a job or a permit.
Can I apply from the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar?: Yes. These work visas are applied for from outside the country, so you can apply while you work in the Gulf or anywhere else. Many applications also ask for a police clearance certificate from the countries you have lived in, and the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issue them.
Is ApplyWave an employer or a recruitment agency?: No. ApplyWave lists jobs from employers and helps you prepare and send your application. We do not employ anyone or sponsor visas, and real employers never charge money for a job or a visa sponsorship.

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