This article outlines the key aspects of the Critical Skills Employment Permit for Ireland and is designed as a resource for employers seeking to hire non-EEA citizens for shortage roles in Ireland. The eligibility criteria, the process and the benefits of the CSEP are outlined below in accessible language to give readers a broad understanding of this permit.
What is a Critical Skills Employment Permit and Who Is It For?
Hiring highly skilled professionals is vital for any business aiming to thrive in Ireland’s competitive labour market. The Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) is a work permission for non-EU citizens that is designed to attract specialised talent from outside the EEA into key sectors of the Irish economy, with the goal of encouraging them to establish permanent residence in the State. This is particularly relevant now for Irish employers in the context of globalisation and the ongoing skills shortage.
Occupations eligible for this permit are considered essential to Ireland’s economic growth as they are in high demand and are facing significant shortages in the labour force. Occupations such as ICT professionals, engineers, and technologists are key examples of roles that are prioritised for this permit type. The aim is to fill critical gaps in the workforce, as identified by the regular reviews conducted by the Irish government via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is a key part of Critical Skills Employment Permits and a question that employers most frequently ask. There are 3 essential criteria for obtaining a CS permit – 1) eligible job role, 2) relevant education, and 3) minimum salary.
The CSEP requires the application to be for an occupation that features on the Department’s Critical Skills Occupations List. This list confirms what jobs are eligible for this permit type and it is updated regularly by DETE as the labour market changes. Eligible job titles include doctors, nurses, many types of engineers, and ICT Professionals. The employer in Ireland must offer the applicant a job and issue an employment contract for one of the roles specified on this list in order to apply for a CS permit.
The second important requirement is that the applicant must hold a degree-level or higher qualification that is in the field of and directly relevant to the role they are applying for. This means that only highly educated candidates can avail of this permit type, as they must hold a minimum of a 4-year degree. Master’s degrees and/or PhDs are also acceptable. The applicant must submit a certified copy (and certified translation if the degree is not in English) of their degree diploma and transcript with their application to DETE.
The third key eligibility criteria is the minimum salary for a Critical Skills Employment Permit. The applicant must have a job offer from the prospective employer that confirms they will earn a minimum of €38,000.00 per annum for a 39 hour week in their role. The minimum salary is subject to change and review by DETE. It was raised from €34,000.00 to €38,000.00 by DETE in December 2023 and is projected to be increased again by DETE in January 2025.
All of the above criteria are strictly adhered to when DETE processes CS applications, so it is important for employers to note these key requirements in advance of opting for this permit type.
There is a second option for highly skilled and experienced applicants that allows for a deviation from both the education and salary requirements listed above. An experienced applicant who does not hold a relevant degree but does possess the expertise required for the position may obtain a Critical Skills Employment Permit where their salary is at least €64,000.00 per annum and they submit proof of their relevant experience and expertise for the role. This option allows applicants who are highly skilled and have years of experience to obtain a CS permit even where they do not hold a degree. VisaWork can provide more information on this on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits to the CSEP for Employer and Applicant
The CSEP is a sought-after option for non-EEA employees as it offers several benefits to both the prospective applicant and the employer, making it an attractive option for both in terms of speed and long-term potential. The route to obtaining a CSEP is faster than a General Employment Permit application, as there is no requirement for a 28-day long Labour Market Needs Test because the identified skills are already in high demand and short supply. The processing time for the application once submitted to DETE is also typically faster than for other permits types. Depending on the time of year, the processing time is 2-4 weeks for a CS permit. This speeds up the hiring process for both parties and allows Irish employers to fill their skills gaps more quickly and to ensure they can move fast with key talent.
CSEP holders can immediately apply for family reunification through Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice and Equality, allowing immediate dependents to join the permit holder in Ireland. General Permit holders, for example, must wait 1 year before applying to bring their families to Ireland as their dependents. This provides a long-term plan for the permit holder and their family, and increases the rate of retention for employers and their investment.
Another feature of the CSEP is the enhanced path to long-term residency. After completing just 2 years on their CSEP in Ireland, the holder can apply to INIS for Stamp 4 long-term permission to live and work in Ireland without the need for an Employment Permit. This again provides a long-term plan and future path for both the permit holder and their employer. General Permit holders must wait for 5 years on consecutive permits before they can apply for Stamp 4, so the CS permit confers a significant advantage in this regard.
Summary – Contact Us For Advice on CSEPs for your Business
In summary, the Critical Skills Employment Permit is a valuable and dynamic work permission option for employers seeking to hire non-EEA citizens with key skills. The permit is faster to obtain than a General Employment Permit and confers unique benefits on both the holder and the employer. The eligibility criteria are strict but clear, making this an attractive option for working in Ireland.
Reach out to us at Visa Work here for expert assistance with applying for your Critical Skills permits today. With extensive experience handling CSEP applications, we offer a seamless and streamlined approach to meet all your business and immigration needs. We have processed hundreds of CS applications for Ireland for engineers, IT professionals and healthcare staff with a 100% success rate to date, so we have both the expertise and the experience to best advise your business on hiring non-EU staff on a Critical Skills Permit.
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