There are many paths to permanent residence in Ireland. One path that proves attractive to South Africans is the Critical Skills Employment Permit, allowing highly skilled foreigners to work in Ireland and later reside there as a resident.

What is the Critical Skills Employment Permit?

Ireland has a Critical Skills Employment Permit, designed to attract highly skilled foreigners. This is due to the fact Ireland has a list of critical skills requirements in many different market sectors. Foreign nationals are encouraged to apply for the Critical Skills Employment Permit to work in Ireland and begin their path to permanent residence in the Emerald Isle!

Who is eligible?

You must have received a job offer for at least 2 years from a company registered with the Companies Registration Office. Please note that IBN cannot assist you with recruitment and job searching.

In order to qualify, the job you have been offered in Ireland will need to have an annual salary of at least €32,000 (roughly R592,570) a year if the job appears on the Critical Skills Occupations List, or an annual salary of at least €64,000 (roughly R1,185,150) a year if the job does not appear on the list.

You are required to have completed at minimum a bachelor’s degree and have applied for your CSEP before travelling to Ireland.

What is the application process?

Either you or your employer can begin the application process by contacting the Employment Permits Section. The application process is online costs €1,000 (roughly R18,500).

Your immigration process would generally consist of the following steps:

1. Either you or your employer will begin the application for the Employment Permit by contacting the Employment Permit Section. IBN can assist in the preparation and submission of this application. The government application fee is 1000 EUR. This application needs to be done before you travel to Ireland.
   
   
2. If you require a visa to Ireland, you will need to apply for a visa once you have received the Employment Permit. The great news for South African citizens is that they do not require a visa for Ireland and can travel to Ireland as soon as the Employment Permit is granted.
   
   
3. After your arrival in Ireland, you will be required to apply for a residence permit, as the Employment Permit does not include your residence permission. We can assist you up to this final step in your process.

Refusals can be appealed within 28 days of adjudication.

What is the duration of the permit?

The CSEP is initially granted for 2 years. After those 2 years you can apply for a Stamp 4, which will allow you to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit.

A Stamp 4 grants the applicant permission to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit. The Stamp 4 is granted for 2 years, with the ability to renew if you still meet the criteria. After 5 years being a legal resident in Ireland, you can begin your application for long term residence.

Can I change my job?

Applicants are required to stay with their initial employer for at least 12 months. After this, any change of employer will require a new application for a CSEP.

As mentioned previously, if you have worked for 2 years of the CSEP, you may apply for a Stamp 4. Once you have obtained the Stamp 4 and no longer require an employment permit, you can freely change employer.

Can I bring my family with me?

Applicants who are accepted on a CSEP can bring their family with them to live in Ireland. South African citizens do not need to apply for a visa to Ireland. Therefore, they would apply for a residence permit. IBN Immigration Solutions can assist with the residence requirements for the family members

How IBN Immigration Solutions can help you

IBN Immigration Solutions works together with an expert partner in Ireland, to ensure you have the perfect support across both sides of the move. We are familiar with all the requirements for applications, possible red-flags, and hold-ups with the government’s immigration department, meaning that you’ll be in safe hands.

Make your immigration journey an easy one; reach out to us today!