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Official sources

Trusted sources & processing times

These are the official Irish government sources our checkers and guides are built on. Everything on askmanavi mirrors these pages, but the government sites are always the authoritative record, so we link you straight to them.

Employment permits

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) runs Ireland's employment permit system, including the occupation lists and salary thresholds our checker uses.

Occupation lists

The two official lists that decide which permit a role can access. Our Critical Skills and Ineligible pages mirror these, but the government pages are authoritative.

Apply & track

Applications are made and tracked on the government's own online system, and processed strictly in date order of receipt.

Immigration, Stamp 4 & family

Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) handles visas, residence permissions (stamps), family reunification and registration.

Irish citizenship

Naturalisation is handled by ISD. You can check your reckonable residence with the official calculator before you apply.

Department Help Desk

Most people don't know that ISD runs a free online Customer Service Portal, where you register one account to check your application's live progress, ask ISD questions directly, upload documents and book your registration appointment, instead of waiting on hold or posting blindly.

Current processing times

Applications are read in strict date order of receipt. These are the dates the Department is currently processing from. Dates change frequently, so always confirm on the live official page.

Current processing dates

Applications are read in date order. These are the dates DETE is currently processing from, as of 3 July 2026.

Live figures
  • Critical Skills Employment Permit17 June 2026
  • New General Employment Permit25 May 2026
  • Other new applications21 May 2026
  • Intra-Company Transfer (new)22 May 2026
  • Intra-Company Transfer (renewal)30 March 2026
  • Renewals (all types)27 March 2026
  • Reviews / appeals16 December 2025

Guide only. Dates change frequently, so always confirm on the official page. Last checked 6 July 2026.

Frequently asked

Questions about permits & processing

How are employment permit applications processed?
Applications are processed in strict date order of receipt, so the published processing dates show which day's applications are currently being read. You can see the latest dates in the table above or on the official processing dates page.
How far in advance should I apply?
An application must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the intended start date. Because applications are read in date order, applying early gives the Department time to reach your file before you plan to begin work.
How do I apply for and track a permit?
Applications are made through Employment Permits Online (EPOS), which launched on 28 April 2025 and lets you submit and track the status of your application online.
What is the difference between a Critical Skills and a General Employment Permit?
A Critical Skills Employment Permit needs no Labour Market Needs Test and allows immediate family reunification. A General Employment Permit does require a Labour Market Needs Test.
When can I apply for Stamp 4?
Stamp 4 can generally be reached after 21 months on a Critical Skills Employment Permit, or after 57 months on a General Employment Permit. Stamp details are set out by Immigration Service Delivery.
Can my family join me in Ireland?
A Critical Skills Employment Permit allows immediate family reunification. Guidance on bringing family members is published by ISD under coming to join family in Ireland.
How long until I can apply for Irish citizenship?
Naturalisation generally needs 5 years of reckonable residence, reduced to 3 years if you are married to an Irish citizen. You can check your residence with the Naturalisation Residency Calculator.
Why do the processing dates keep changing?
Processing dates move as the Department works through applications in order of receipt, so they change frequently. Always confirm the current figures on the official page before you rely on them.

Guide only, not legal advice. Figures and links last checked 6 July 2026. For advice on your own situation, book a consultation with Manavi.

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