Critical Skills Occupation in Ireland: Process and Benefits

Are you thinking about working in Ireland but want to know about the critical skills process?

You’re not alone.

Many people feel stressed about navigating the application, meeting the eligibility criteria, and securing a job under the list of Critical Skills Occupation in Ireland. They also worry about the time, effort, and money involved. But don’t worry!

In this blog, we’ll break down the process and show you the benefits of getting a Critical Skills Work Permit in Ireland. Let’s make it simple so you can start your journey with confidence.

What are the Critical Skills Occupation in Ireland?

The Critical Skills Occupation in Ireland features jobs that are in high demand and need specialized skills. If you get an offer in one of these roles, you will be working in a position where there is a labour shortage in Ireland.

Most of these roles are in the IT and ICT industries, healthcare, production, business, digital marketing, and engineering. You can check out their complete list here.

Once you secure a job on this list, your next step is to apply for a Critical Skills Work Permit. We’ll dive into the application process and eligibility criteria in our blog.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for a Critical Skill Job?

To apply for a critical skills employment permit in Ireland, you must meet specific criteria outlined by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

• You can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit if you have a job offer on an Irish critical skills occupation list that pays at least €38,000. 
• To apply for this permit without a critical skill occupation, your job should pay you a minimum of €64,000 per year. 
• Your employer should have 50% or more EU employees. This ensures a balance of EU and non-EU citizens in the company, as required by the Irish government. 
• The above rule can be waived if the company is a start-up supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland.
• You must have the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience required for your job. If you don’t satisfy the academic criteria, you should fulfill the minimum experience in a relevant field required by your employee. 
• You should be signing under the direct payscale of your employer as a permanent employee. 
• Your offer of employment ought to be for a minimum of two years. 

Please note that the Critical Skill Occupation salary threshold will rise to €44,000 by January 2025.

What is the Process for Applying for a Critical Skills Employment Permit in Ireland?

1. When you get a job offer under the critical skill occupation list in Ireland, make sure to apply for a vital skill employment permit. It would help if you did this at least 12 weeks before your joining date.
2. The next step is filling out an online application form through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS).
3. Either you or your employer can apply for the permit. Either party can pay a processing fee of €1,000 for this essential employee permit. 
4. This form asks for a lot of information about yourself and your employer. So, it is best to have all the necessary soft copies and particulars in hand before you start the easy process. 
5. Once the application is processed, the officials might take a minimum of 30 days to notify you of the next steps.
6. If your permit is approved, you can apply for your critical skills visa. 
7. In the event of an application rejection, 90% of your money will be refunded. 

Please note that the time it takes to process your application depends on its complexity and the efficiency of the authorities.

What Documents Are Required for the Critical Skills Employment Permit Application?

Here are the mandatory documents that you would require while filling out your critical skill work permit application,

• Valid Passport: This proves your identity and nationality, ensuring you’re legally allowed to work in Ireland.
• Educational Certificates: These show you have the necessary qualifications for the job you’re applying for.
• Job Offer Letter: This confirms that an Irish employer is offering you a position that requires critical skills.
• Work Experience Certificates: These demonstrate your previous relevant experience, proving you have the practical skills needed for the job.

Checklist for Critical Skills Employment Permit

What are the Benefits of Working in a Critical Skill Occupation?

1. Permanent Residency:

Typically, you need to live in Ireland for at least five years with a general work permit. But with a critical skills visa, you can immediately start. You can apply for permanent residency (Stamp 4 Visa) after just two years on a critical skills work permit.

2. Package Increment:

Your critical skill occupation will surely yield you higher pay than the one with a general work permit.  

3. Exemption from Labour Market test: 

A Labour Market Needs test assesses whether there are sufficient qualified and skilled workers available in the Irish labor market to fill a specific job vacancy.

This test is optional for critical skill jobs as the skills are identified as being in short supply in the Irish labor market. 

4. Immediate Family Reunification:

With a general work permit, you have to wait for a year to bring your family to Ireland. At the same time, you get the good news of zero wait time with a critical skill visa. Yes, you can immediately bring your dependents to reside in Ireland and seek employment. 

5. Permanent job:

A critical skill work permit requires a permanent role where you fall under the direct pay of your employer. If you were in a temporary or contract job before, a critical skill job guarantees a permanent position.

FAQs

• How can I find critical skills jobs in Ireland?

First, you must determine the nature of the jobs that fall under the skill shortage list in Ireland. You can do this by visiting the official Irish Government website or the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE). 

Then, go to portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Irishjobs to apply for jobs that match the critical skills occupation list and filter by salary.

• Can I switch jobs while being on a critical skill permit?

Yes, you can switch jobs while being on a Critical Skills Permit in Ireland. However, there are specific rules and requirements to follow.

If you are on a Critical Skills Permit for the first time, you must stay with your initial employer for at least 12 months, unless there are exceptional circumstances. After this period, you can change employers. However, you need to apply for a new critical skills permit before starting your new job.

• Should I get a critical skill permit every time I switch companies? 

After 21 months of working in Ireland on a critical skill permit, you can apply for a Stamp 4 visa (PR), which allows you to change jobs without needing an employment permit. 

This permission is valid for 2 years and can be renewed if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. 

• What should I do if my critical skills application gets rejected?

First, understand the reasons for rejection mentioned carefully. The most common reasons are insufficient documentation, salary margin, the different nature of the job, lack of experience, and so on. Consider fixing the issues or talking to your employer for suggestions.

Once you are done with it, decide on starting a new application or request for revaluation.

• What companies offer critical skill jobs in Ireland?

There are several companies in Ireland known for hiring under the Critical Skills Permit. These companies are often major players in their respective industries and have a history of attracting highly skilled professionals.

Here are a few examples,

1. Google
2. Microsoft
3. Facebook
4. Apple
5. IBM
6. Johnson & Johnson
7. Pfizer
8. Bank of America
9. JP Morgan
10. University College Dublin (UCD) School of Medicine
11. Cork University Hospital

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