Visa Sponsorship & Employment Permit Jobs in Ireland — 2026

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.