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Occupation Lists

Critical Skills Occupations

Occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List are considered highly sought-after in Ireland. A Critical Skills Employment Permit offers a fast track to long-term residency.

€40,904

With Relevant Degree

€68,911

Without Relevant Degree

€36,848

Recent Graduate

A job title appearing here does not by itself guarantee eligibility. The Department lists official occupations by SOC code, and often requires specific skills, qualifications or experience.

OfficialNamed on the Department's listCommon titleA searchable job title we map to an official occupation

Showing 119 of 119 entries · 92 official occupations

Academic

2
SOC 2311AcademicOfficial

Higher education teaching and research professionals delivering academic programmes

Eligibility condition: Requires a qualification equivalent to NFQ Level 10 (awarded at least two years before application) and at least one academic year of relevant teaching experience, in a qualifying third-level institution, or delivering a programme largely or wholly concerned with ICT leading to a QQI Level 8 or 9 major award

SOC 2311LecturerCommon title

Higher education lecturer; falls under the official academic occupation (SOC 2311)

Maps to official occupation: Academics

Eligibility condition: Requires a qualification equivalent to NFQ Level 10 (awarded at least two years before application) and at least one academic year of relevant teaching experience, in a qualifying third-level institution, or delivering an ICT programme leading to a QQI Level 8 or 9 major award

Allied Health

6
SOC 2221PhysiotherapistOfficial

Physiotherapists assessing and treating physical conditions through movement, exercise and manual therapy

SOC 2222Occupational TherapistOfficial

Occupational therapists helping people develop, recover or maintain daily living and working skills

SOC 2223Speech and Language TherapistOfficial

Speech and language therapists assessing and treating communication, speech and swallowing disorders

SOC 2229OrthoptistOfficial

Orthoptists diagnosing and treating eye movement disorders and binocular vision problems

SOC 3218ProsthetistOfficial

Prosthetists designing and fitting artificial limbs and prosthetic devices

SOC 3218OrthotistOfficial

Orthotists designing and fitting orthoses, braces and supportive devices

Animation

8
SOC 2473Art DirectorOfficial

Art directors overseeing the visual style and creative direction of animation productions

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3411Animation Background and Design ArtistOfficial

Background and design artists creating environments and visual assets for animation

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3421Location DesignerOfficial

Location designers creating environments, settings and background art for animated productions

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3421Character DesignerOfficial

Character designers creating visual concepts and designs for animated characters

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3421Prop DesignerOfficial

Prop designers creating objects, accessories and assets for animated productions

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3421Animation Layout ArtistOfficial

Layout artists planning and composing scenes, camera angles and staging for animated productions

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

SOC 3417Riggers (Games Industry)Official

Riggers preparing characters and assets for animation within the games industry. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 3411AnimatorCommon title

Common title; the eligible occupation is Animation Background and Design Artist

Maps to official occupation: Animation Background and Design Artist

Eligibility condition: In 2D or 3D animation, with at least one year's experience in the role

Architecture & Construction

12
SOC 2431ArchitectOfficial

Architects designing buildings and advising on construction, renovation and spatial planning

SOC 2435Architectural TechnologistOfficial

Architectural technologists preparing technical plans, specifications and construction documentation

SOC 2433Quantity SurveyorOfficial

Quantity surveyors managing costs, contracts and financial performance for construction projects

SOC 2436Construction Project ManagerOfficial

Construction project managers overseeing construction operations, scheduling and project delivery

SOC 2436Construction Planner / SchedulerOfficial

Construction planners and schedulers planning programmes and sequencing of construction works. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 2436Commercial ManagerOfficial

Commercial managers in construction managing contracts, procurement and commercial performance

SOC 1122Site ManagerOfficial

Site managers directing construction site operations, resources and health and safety

SOC 2432Town Planning OfficerOfficial

Town planning officers assessing and advising on land use and development planning

SOC 2434Geospatial SurveyorOfficial

Geospatial surveyors (also known as land surveyors or geomatics surveyors) measuring and mapping land and the built environment. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 3531EstimatorOfficial

Estimators pricing construction and engineering works from drawings and specifications

SOC 2133BIM ManagerOfficial

Building Information Modelling managers leading BIM strategy and delivery on construction projects

SOC 3122BIM Coordinator / TechnicianOfficial

Building Information Modelling coordinators and technicians producing and managing BIM models

Engineering

14
SOC 2121Civil EngineerOfficial

Civil engineers designing and managing infrastructure, transport and building projects

SOC 2121Structural EngineerOfficial

Structural engineers designing and assessing structural frameworks and load-bearing systems

SOC 2121Site EngineerOfficial

Site engineers managing construction works and technical operations on-site

SOC 2122Mechanical EngineerOfficial

Mechanical engineers designing, developing and maintaining mechanical systems and equipment

SOC 2123Electrical EngineerOfficial

Electrical engineers designing electrical systems, power distribution and equipment

SOC 2124Electronics EngineerOfficial

Electronics engineers in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in chip design, test or application engineering, process automation, or power generation, transmission and distribution

SOC 2126Design and Development EngineersOfficial

Design and development engineers in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in quality control, validation or regulation (high-tech or food and beverages), chip design, test or application engineering, process automation, or power

SOC 2127Production and Process EngineersOfficial

Production and process engineers in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in quality control, validation or regulation, chemical process, process automation, or power

SOC 2127Chemical EngineerOfficial

Chemical engineers designing and managing chemical processes, plant operations and production systems

SOC 2129Project EngineerOfficial

Project engineers managing technical engineering projects and delivery across disciplines

SOC 2129Setting Out EngineerOfficial

Setting out engineers responsible for accurate positioning, alignment and surveying in construction

SOC 2129Facade DesignerOfficial

Facade designers engineering building envelopes and external systems

SOC 2127Production EngineerCommon title

Optimises manufacturing and production; falls under the official occupation (SOC 2127)

Maps to official occupation: Production and Process Engineers

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in quality control, validation or regulation, chemical process, process automation, or power

SOC 2127Process EngineerCommon title

Designs and optimises industrial processes; falls under the official occupation (SOC 2127)

Maps to official occupation: Production and Process Engineers

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in quality control, validation or regulation, chemical process, process automation, or power

Finance & Business

9
SOC 2421AccountantOfficial

Chartered and certified accountants and taxation experts in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Specified specialisms apply (tax, compliance, regulation, solvency or financial management). Certain accountants must be full members of AICPA, PICPA or ICAP with at least three years' auditing and US GAAP or global audit experience

SOC 2421Tax ConsultantOfficial

Tax consultants in non-EEA tax consultancy and compliance

Eligibility condition: Requires a professional tax or legal qualification (tax specialism) and at least three years' experience in the relevant non-EEA market

SOC 2423Management ConsultantOfficial

Management consultants and business analysts in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in big data analytics (IT, data mining, modelling or advanced mathematics)

SOC 2424Business and Financial Project Management ProfessionalsOfficial

Business and financial project management professionals in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in finance and investment analytics, risk analytics, credit, or fraud analytics

SOC 2425ActuaryOfficial

Actuaries analysing financial risk in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in big data analytics (IT, data mining, modelling or advanced mathematics)

SOC 2425EconomistOfficial

Economists researching and analysing economic data in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in big data analytics (IT, data mining, modelling or advanced mathematics)

SOC 2425StatisticianOfficial

Statisticians analysing and interpreting quantitative data in specified specialisms

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in big data analytics (IT, data mining, modelling or advanced mathematics)

SOC 2419Intellectual Property ProfessionalsOfficial

Intellectual property professionals advising on patents, trademarks and IP strategy. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 2425Data ScientistCommon title

A derived job-title mapping, not a standalone occupation on the Department's list. Relevant big data analytics specialism criteria apply

Maps to official occupation: Actuaries, Economists and Statisticians

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in big data analytics (IT, data mining, modelling or advanced mathematics)

Medical

18
SOC 2211Medical PractitionerOfficial

Medical practitioners diagnosing, treating and preventing physical and mental illness and disease

SOC 2212PsychologistOfficial

Psychologists studying and treating mental processes, behaviour and psychological disorders

SOC 2213PharmacistOfficial

Pharmacists preparing and dispensing medicines and advising on their safe and effective use

SOC 2213Industrial PharmacistOfficial

Industrial pharmacists working in pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug development and regulatory compliance

SOC 2214OptometristOfficial

Optometrists examining eyes, testing sight and prescribing and fitting corrective lenses. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 2214Ophthalmic Optician, Community Eye CareOfficial

Ophthalmic opticians providing community eye care services. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 2217RadiographerOfficial

Radiographers operating diagnostic imaging equipment and producing medical images for diagnosis

SOC 2217Radiation TherapistOfficial

Radiation therapists planning and delivering radiation treatment for patients

SOC 2217Cardiac PhysiologistOfficial

Cardiac physiologists diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions using specialist equipment

SOC 2217Vascular Technologist / PhysiologistOfficial

Vascular technologists and physiologists assessing blood vessel function and circulation

SOC 2217Gastrointestinal Technologist / PhysiologistOfficial

Gastrointestinal technologists and physiologists carrying out specialist digestive-system investigations

SOC 2217Respiratory PhysiologistOfficial

Respiratory physiologists assessing and monitoring lung and respiratory function. The Department also lists this role under SOC 3218

SOC 2218PodiatristOfficial

Podiatrists and chiropodists diagnosing and treating conditions of the feet and lower limbs

SOC 2219AudiologistOfficial

Audiologists assessing, diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders

SOC 2219PerfusionistOfficial

Perfusionists operating heart-lung machines and managing circulation during surgery

SOC 2219DieticianOfficial

Dieticians advising on nutrition and dietary needs for health management and disease prevention

SOC 2219Medical ScientistOfficial

Medical scientists conducting clinical and biomedical laboratory analysis and research

SOC 1181Senior Health Services and Public Health Managers and DirectorsOfficial

Senior managers and directors leading health services and public health functions

Nursing

2
SOC 2231Registered NurseOfficial

Registered nurses providing clinical care, treatment, patient support and health education

SOC 2232Registered MidwifeOfficial

Registered midwives providing care and support during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period

Paramedic

2
SOC 3213ParamedicOfficial

Paramedics providing emergency medical care and treatment in pre-hospital settings

Eligibility condition: Must be registered with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC)

SOC 3213Advanced ParamedicOfficial

Advanced paramedics with extended clinical skills providing enhanced emergency and critical care

Eligibility condition: Must be a PHECC-registered Advanced Paramedic Practitioner

Quality & Regulatory

7
SOC 2461Quality Control and Planning EngineersOfficial

Quality control and planning engineers ensuring products and processes meet quality standards

SOC 2461Quality EngineerCommon title

Common job title; classification depends on actual duties and may instead fall under SOC 2126 or 2127

Maps to official occupation: Quality Control and Planning Engineers

SOC 2462Quality Assurance and Regulatory ProfessionalsOfficial

Quality assurance and regulatory professionals developing and overseeing quality and compliance systems

SOC 2462Quality Assurance SpecialistCommon title

Common job title within the official quality assurance and regulatory occupation (SOC 2462)

Maps to official occupation: Quality Assurance and Regulatory Professionals

SOC 2462Regulatory Affairs SpecialistCommon title

Common job title within the official quality assurance and regulatory occupation (SOC 2462)

Maps to official occupation: Quality Assurance and Regulatory Professionals

SOC 2463Environmental Health ProfessionalsOfficial

Environmental health professionals monitoring and enforcing environmental and public health standards

SOC 2463Environmental Health OfficerCommon title

Common job title within the official environmental health occupation (SOC 2463)

Maps to official occupation: Environmental Health Professionals

Sales & Marketing

2
SOC 3542Business Sales ExecutiveOfficial

Business sales executives in specified international and technical sales roles

Eligibility condition: Must specialise in international sales or IT B2B sales, with fluency in the official language of a non-EEA state that is not an official language of an EEA state

SOC 3543International Marketing ExpertOfficial

International marketing experts with required domain knowledge

Eligibility condition: Requires product strategy expertise with technical and product knowledge in pharmaceutical, medical devices, software B2B or SaaS products

Science

10
SOC 2111Chemical ScientistsOfficial

Chemical scientists working in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must work in a specialist field such as manufacturing (including food and beverages), medical devices, product or analytical development, clinical co-vigilance, or biotechnology

SOC 2112Biological Scientists and BiochemistsOfficial

Biological scientists and biochemists working in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must work in a specialist field such as manufacturing (including food and beverages), medical devices, product or analytical development, clinical co-vigilance, or biotechnology

SOC 2112Medical Laboratory ScientistOfficial

Medical laboratory scientists carrying out clinical and diagnostic laboratory analysis

SOC 2112AgronomistOfficial

Agronomists advising on crop production, soil management and agricultural science. Added to the Critical Skills list in May 2026

SOC 2113Physical ScientistsOfficial

Physical scientists working in specified specialist fields

Eligibility condition: Must work in a specialist field such as manufacturing (including food and beverages), medical devices, product or analytical development, clinical co-vigilance, or biotechnology

SOC 2113MeteorologistOfficial

Meteorologists studying and forecasting weather and atmospheric conditions

SOC 2113Operational ForecasterOfficial

Operational forecasters producing real-time weather and environmental forecasts

SOC 2129Material ScientistsOfficial

Material scientists researching and developing materials and their properties

SOC 1213Professional ForesterOfficial

Professional foresters managing forests, woodland and forestry resources

SOC 1213Resource Modelling, Earth Observation and Data AnalystOfficial

Analysts in resource modelling, earth observation and related environmental data

Social Work

1
SOC 2442Social WorkerOfficial

Social workers providing support, advocacy and safeguarding for individuals and families

Sport

1
SOC 3442High Performance Coaches and DirectorsOfficial

High performance coaches and directors in elite and international sport

Eligibility condition: Must be employed by a national sports organisation, or a high-profile sports organisation engaging in international competition

Technology

25
SOC 1136IT and Telecommunications DirectorsOfficial

Directors responsible for information technology and telecommunications strategy, operations and infrastructure

SOC 2133IT Specialist ManagerOfficial

IT specialist managers directing IT operations, development or infrastructure teams

SOC 2134IT Project and Programme ManagersOfficial

IT project and programme managers overseeing technology delivery and strategic initiatives

SOC 2135IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems DesignersOfficial

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers responsible for systems design and integration

SOC 2136Programmers and Software Development ProfessionalsOfficial

Programmers and software development professionals designing, coding, testing and maintaining software systems

SOC 2137Web Design and Development ProfessionalsOfficial

Web design and development professionals building web-based applications and services

SOC 2139ICT Professionals (not elsewhere classified)Official

Information and communications technology professionals not classified under another code, including specialist information and cyber security roles

SOC 2136Software EngineerCommon title

Common job title within the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Senior Software EngineerCommon title

Senior software engineer; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Full Stack DeveloperCommon title

Front-end and back-end developer; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Backend DeveloperCommon title

Server-side developer; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Frontend DeveloperCommon title

User-interface developer; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136DevOps EngineerCommon title

Continuous integration, deployment and infrastructure automation; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Cloud EngineerCommon title

Cloud platform architecture and management; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Machine Learning EngineerCommon title

Develops machine learning models and pipelines; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136AI EngineerCommon title

Builds AI systems and applications; falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136ProgrammerCommon title

Falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2136Software DeveloperCommon title

Falls under the official software development occupation (SOC 2136)

Maps to official occupation: Programmers and Software Development Professionals

SOC 2137Web DeveloperCommon title

Common job title within the official web design and development occupation (SOC 2137)

Maps to official occupation: Web Design and Development Professionals

SOC 2135Systems ArchitectCommon title

Designs systems architecture; falls under the official occupation (SOC 2135)

Maps to official occupation: IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers

SOC 2135Business AnalystCommon title

IT business analyst; falls under the official occupation (SOC 2135)

Maps to official occupation: IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers

SOC 2135IT Business AnalystCommon title

Falls under the official occupation (SOC 2135)

Maps to official occupation: IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers

SOC 2134IT Project ManagerCommon title

Falls under the official occupation (SOC 2134)

Maps to official occupation: IT Project and Programme Managers

SOC 2134IT Programme ManagerCommon title

Falls under the official occupation (SOC 2134)

Maps to official occupation: IT Project and Programme Managers

SOC 2139Cyber Security EngineerCommon title

Information security specialist; falls under the official ICT professionals occupation (SOC 2139)

Maps to official occupation: ICT Professionals (not elsewhere classified)

Based on official figures

This list mirrors the official DETE Critical Skills Occupations List effective 13 May 2026 (SI 213 of 2026), including the occupations added in May 2026, plus the current salary thresholds. Always confirm the current status and conditions of a specific role on the government pages.

Official government sources · last checked 12 October 2026.