Definition
The General Employment Permit is Ireland's mainstream work-permit route for non-EEA nationals when the job is eligible but does not fall into the more favoured Critical Skills category. It is still employer-backed and subject to route rules on salary, occupation eligibility, and immigration compliance. In practice, it is the default Irish employment route for many ordinary long-stay hires outside the critical-skills list.
Related terms
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Ireland's premium work-permit route for higher-value roles and shortage occupations, designed to lead more quickly to longer-term residence.
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Labour Market Test
A requirement for employers to demonstrate they could not find a suitable EEA candidate before hiring a non-EU worker for a specific position.
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Work Permit
An official authorisation granting a non-citizen the legal right to be employed or self-employed in a country, usually issued alongside or embedded in a residence permit.
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