Document Checklist
Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit Checklist (2026): Documents You Need
Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) application is a single combined file covering the employer, the role, and the employee, submitted through the Employment Permits Online System — and because the employer or the employee can be the one to submit it, it's easy for a document to fall between the two of you. This checklist is based on DETE's own published Critical Skills Employment Permit Checklist and pairs with our [Critical Skills Employment Permit guide](/guides/ireland-critical-skills-employment-permit-guide-2026) for the full context on thresholds, fees, and the route to Stamp 4. Confirm current salary floors and the Critical Skills Occupations List directly on enterprise.gov.ie before you file, since both are reviewed periodically.
Employer details to gather
- Nature of the businessA description of what the company does (e.g. software, manufacturing) — DETE asks for this on the application itself.
- Current EEA/Swiss/UK and non-EEA headcountThe number of EEA, Swiss, and UK nationals (including Irish staff) versus non-EEA nationals currently employed — this is how DETE checks the 50:50 rule, since at least half the workforce must be EEA nationals at the time of application (start-ups under two years old backed by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland may be exempt).
- Redundancy history for the roleConfirmation of whether any redundancies have occurred in the same role in the last 6 months — DETE checks this isn't a permit used to replace a laid-off worker.
- Company registration and contact personProof the employer trades in Ireland and is registered with Revenue, plus the name, position, phone number, and email of a contact person for the application.
- Signed employment contractA copy of the contract signed by both employer and employee, confirming the role, salary, and a minimum 2-year term.
Employee identity and immigration history
- Passport and passport-type photoA clear passport copy and a passport-style photo of the employee, as specified in the official checklist.
- Current immigration stamp and visa (if already in Ireland)A clear copy of your current immigration stamp and visa if you're already resident in the State, plus your GNIB/Irish Residence Permit PIN — the 6-digit number on the back of your Residence Permit card.
- Details of previous visa permissions or employment in IrelandA record of any prior Irish visas, permissions, or employment history, which DETE asks for directly on the application.
Role, qualifications and salary threshold evidence
- Job title, duties, and employment locationA detailed description of the role's title and responsibilities, plus the exact work location — you can only work at the location(s) named on the permit, not elsewhere.
- Proof your qualification matches the threshold you're applying underDegree certificates and transcripts showing a relevant degree (or higher) for the €40,904 Critical Skills Occupations List route, or evidence of equivalent experience for the €68,911 route if you don't hold a degree. Confirm your exact figure and whether your role sits on the current Critical Skills Occupations List at enterprise.gov.ie — thresholds are reviewed periodically.
- Recent-graduate evidence (if applying under the graduate route)If you graduated within the last 12 months with a Level 8 (or higher) degree relevant to the role, and the role is on the Critical Skills Occupations List, you may qualify under the lower graduate threshold — bring your graduation date and degree parchment as proof.
- Professional registration or licence numberIf the role requires registration with a regulatory body (e.g. nursing, medicine, certain engineering or teaching roles), provide your registration/PIN or licence number — DETE publishes the full list of registration-required employments.
- Atypical Working Scheme letter (nurses only)If you're a nurse undergoing adaptation in Ireland under the Atypical Working Scheme, include a copy of your AWS permission letter.
Pay details
- Total annual salary, hourly rate, and weekly hoursDETE asks for the total annual salary amount, the hourly and weekly rate of pay, and the number of hours worked per week — figures must be consistent with each other and with your threshold.
- Breakdown of any salary deductionsDetails of any deductions from salary and what they're for, including whether deductions are taken for health insurance — basic salary and qualifying health insurance count toward your threshold, but bonuses, shift allowances, and overtime do not.
- Confirmation of the minimum remuneration for your routeAs published by DETE: €40,904/year (39-hour week, €20.17/hour; €41,953.60 for a 40-hour week) for the main Critical Skills Occupations List route; €68,911/year (€33.98/hour on a 39-hour week) for other eligible occupations; €36,848/year (€18.27/hour) for the recent-graduate route. Verify these haven't changed on enterprise.gov.ie before you submit.
Submitting through EPOS
- Payment details for the €1,000 feeThe name of the person making the payment, their company name (if applicable), phone number, email, and card details — the fee is €1,000, with 90% refunded if the application is refused (refunds go only to the original applicant, even if a third party paid).
- Agent details (if using one)If an immigration agent or solicitor is submitting on your behalf, their name, address, email, phone number, and a named contact person.
- IDA Ireland / Enterprise Ireland support letter (if relying on the 50:50 exemption)If your employer is a start-up under two years old relying on IDA or Enterprise Ireland backing to exempt them from the 50:50 rule, include that support documentation.
- Timing check: file at least 12 weeks before the intended start dateDETE requires applications to be submitted at least 12 weeks ahead of the proposed start date — don't leave this until close to a resignation date or travel booking.
Tips
- No Labour Market Needs Test is required for CSEP — DETE treats the listed skills as being in short supply, which is one reason this permit moves faster than the General Employment Permit.
- The application can be lodged by either the employer or the employee through EPOS, but someone needs to own gathering both sides' documents — agree who's responsible for what before you start, since the checklist mixes employer-side and employee-side items in one file.
- Double-check your salary route against the current Critical Skills Occupations List and Ineligible List on enterprise.gov.ie before you commit to a threshold — applying under the wrong figure is a common cause of delay.
- Once your documents are ready, [join the VisaMet waitlist](/#waitlist) for AI-assisted document screening built to catch exactly these employer/employee mismatches before you submit.
Requirements change — always confirm the current list with the official source before you submit.
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