Career advice · Updated November 2026
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit for Kenyans: Salaries, Fees and Steps
The Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit for Kenyans is Ireland’s main work permit for highly skilled jobs, such as ICT professionals, engineers, nurses and other roles on the Critical Skills Occupations List. You need a two-year job offer from an Irish employer, usually paying at least €40,904 a year for a listed occupation with a relevant degree, or more than €68,911 for most other jobs. There is no labour market test, your family can join you straight away, and after the permit you can apply to live and work in Ireland without a permit. The processing fee is €1,000. This guide explains who qualifies, the salary rules, the application steps and what to watch out for.
Checked on 9 November 2026 against the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s Critical Skills Employment Permit page. Ireland reviews salary thresholds and occupation lists regularly, so check the current figures before you accept an offer.
Who the Critical Skills Employment Permit is for
The permit is designed to attract highly skilled people into Ireland’s labour market and to encourage them to settle permanently. Eligible jobs are “critically important” to Ireland’s economy, in high demand and in short supply. The occupations are set out in the Critical Skills Occupations List, which follows the analysis of Ireland’s Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. The department names ICT professionals, professional engineers and technologists as typical examples.
Nurses and midwives qualify if they have a third-level degree or diploma that the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) accepts as sufficient for registration. Kenyan nurses therefore need to start NMBI recognition early.
Salary thresholds
| Situation | Minimum annual pay | Other conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List | €40,904 | Relevant degree or higher |
| Listed occupation, qualification gained in the 12 months before applying | €36,848 | Recent graduates |
| Almost any occupation | Over €68,911 | Not on the Ineligible List; experience instead of a degree is possible |
| Public sector role under a pay agreement | The agreed rate of pay | Includes Section 38 employers |
Only basic salary and certain health insurance payments count towards the threshold. Bonuses do not. Basic pay must also be at least the national minimum wage.
Main benefits
- No labour market needs test. The employer does not have to advertise the job to Irish and EU workers first.
- Immediate family reunification. Holders can apply to Immigration Service Delivery to bring spouses, partners and dependants. Once they live in Ireland, partners can apply for a free Dependant/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit.
- A route to stay. At the end of the permit, holders can apply for permission to live and work in Ireland without needing a new employment permit, if they have kept to the conditions.
- Full employment rights. Irish employment law applies to permit holders just as it does to Irish workers.
Job offer and employer rules
The job offer must last at least two years. For shorter offers, the employer must use a General Employment Permit instead. You are expected to stay with your first employer for at least nine months. Under section 18 of the Employment Permits Regulations 2024, a permit for a different employer cannot normally be considered before then, except in cases such as redundancy.
The employer must be a genuine business trading in Ireland and registered with the Revenue Commissioners and, where relevant, the Companies Registration Office. At least 50% of its staff must be EEA nationals when you apply. Some start-ups backed by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland are exempt.
How to apply
- Get a qualifying two-year job offer in writing, showing salary, duties and location.
- Check the occupation on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the salary against the thresholds above.
- Apply on Employment Permits Online. Either you or the employer can apply. Use the department’s Critical Skills checklist PDF.
- Apply early. Applications must arrive at least 12 weeks before the planned start date.
- Pay the €1,000 fee. If the application fails, 90% is refunded, but only to the applicant.
- Apply for your visa once the permit is granted, and register with immigration after you arrive.
Where the employer applies, section 55 of the Employment Permits Act 2024 says it may not deduct the fee or other recruitment costs from your pay or recover them from you.
What happens after you apply and when the permit ends
The department describes up to three stages. First, the application is received and, once the fee is recorded, placed in a processing queue that depends on the employer type, with Trusted Partner employers in a separate queue from standard ones. Second, a decision maker considers it and may ask for more information. Third, if the permit is refused, you can ask for a review by a more senior official on the prescribed form.
When your permit and immigration registration card are due to expire, you do not apply for a renewal permit through the department. If you have kept to your immigration and permit conditions and are of good character, you are issued an immigration permission that lets you live and work in Ireland without a further employment permit. If you do not meet those criteria, the Garda National Immigration Bureau issues a Stamp 1, and you still need an employment permit to work.
Tips for Kenyan applicants
- Have your degree certificates and transcripts certified, and keep reference letters that show your skills and years of experience.
- Tailor your CV to Irish norms: two pages, achievements first, no photo or ID number. Our CV writing guide explains the basics.
- Get a police clearance certificate early. Our job documents guide lists what employers usually ask for.
- Never pay an agent for a “guaranteed” permit. Only the department grants permits, and the fee is paid on the official system.
Comparing destinations? Read our Canada visa sponsorship guide and our fake job adverts guide before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
What salary do I need for an Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit?
Usually at least €40,904 a year for a listed occupation with a relevant degree, €36,848 for recent graduates, or over €68,911 for most other jobs.
How much does the Critical Skills Employment Permit cost?
The processing fee is €1,000. If the application is refused, 90% is refunded to the applicant.
Can my family join me on a Critical Skills permit?
Yes. Holders can apply for immediate family reunification, and spouses or partners can then apply for a free dependant employment permit.
Can I change employer on a Critical Skills permit?
Normally only after nine months with your first employer, except in cases such as redundancy.