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Occupation Lists

General Occupations List

Occupations not appearing on the Critical Skills Occupations List may potentially qualify for a General Employment Permit, subject to salary and permit requirements.

How General Employment Permit Eligibility Works

1

Not Critical Skills

Your occupation is not on the Critical Skills list (92 occupations)

2

Not Ineligible

Your occupation is not on the Ineligible list (285 occupations), or has an approved exception

3

Meets Salary Threshold

Your salary meets the minimum of €36,605

Salary Threshold

€36,605

Minimum annual salary

Labour Market Test

Employer must demonstrate the role could not be filled from the EEA labour market (advertised for 28 days).

Duration

Initially granted for up to 2 years, renewable for a further 3 years. After 5 years, you may apply for long-term residency.

Dynamically Derived Pathway

Unlike the Critical Skills and Ineligible lists, General Employment Permit eligibility is not defined by a fixed list of occupations. Any occupation that does not appear on the Critical Skills Occupations List (92 occupations) or the Ineligible Occupations List (285 occupations) may qualify for a General Employment Permit, provided salary and other requirements are met.

Use the Work Permit Eligibility Check to determine which pathway applies to your specific occupation and salary.

Ineligible Occupations with Exceptions

74 occupations on the Ineligible list have documented DETE exceptions that may allow a General Employment Permit to be granted under specific conditions. These include roles such as senior chefs, HGV drivers, bus drivers, language-specific customer service and credit control roles, disability service roles, construction safety officers, genetic counsellors, CNC operatives, paramedics, farm assistants, and others.

Exception Occupations

74 ineligible occupations with documented exceptions that may qualify for a General Employment Permit.

Showing 74 of 74 exception occupations

124 - Managers in Health and Care Services

3
SOC 1242Residential Care ManagerException applies

(with the exception of those working in disability services)

SOC 1242Day Care ManagerException applies

(with the exception of those working in disability services)

SOC 1242Domiciliary Care ManagerException applies

(with the exception of those working in disability services)

125 - Managers in Other Services

5
SOC 1259Betting Shop ManagerException applies

(with the exception of Safety Manager)

SOC 1259Graphic Design ManagerException applies

(with the exception of Safety Manager)

SOC 1259Library ManagerException applies

(with the exception of Safety Manager)

SOC 1259Plant Hire ManagerException applies

(with the exception of Safety Manager)

SOC 1259Production ManagerException applies

(with the exception of Safety Manager)

222 - Therapy Professionals

1
SOC 2229Other Therapy Professionals (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of orthoptists, chiropractors who are members of the Chiropractic Association of Ireland, and Play Therapists working in disability services)

321 - Health Associate Professionals

6
SOC 3219AcupuncturistException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

SOC 3219HomeopathException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

SOC 3219HypnotherapistException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

SOC 3219Massage TherapistException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

SOC 3219ReflexologistException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

SOC 3219Sports TherapistException applies

(with the exception of Genetic Counsellor)

323 - Welfare and Housing Associate Professionals

3
SOC 3231Youth WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Family Support Workers working in disability services)

SOC 3231Community WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Family Support Workers working in disability services)

SOC 3239Other Welfare and Housing Associate Professionals (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of Project Officer working in disability services and Support Worker)

352 - Legal Associate Professionals

2
SOC 3520Legal ExecutiveException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a State which is not a member of the EEA and who has market knowledge of that non-EEA state)

SOC 3520ParalegalException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a State which is not a member of the EEA and who has market knowledge of that non-EEA state)

356 - Public Services and Other Associate Professionals

7
SOC 3563Vocational TrainerException applies

(with the exception of mobility instructors and Guide Dog mobility instructors for the visually impaired) (with the exception of Autism Assistance Dog Instructor)

SOC 3563Industrial TrainerException applies

(with the exception of mobility instructors and Guide Dog mobility instructors for the visually impaired) (with the exception of Autism Assistance Dog Instructor)

SOC 3563Vocational InstructorException applies

(with the exception of mobility instructors and Guide Dog mobility instructors for the visually impaired) (with the exception of Autism Assistance Dog Instructor)

SOC 3563Industrial InstructorException applies

(with the exception of mobility instructors and Guide Dog mobility instructors for the visually impaired) (with the exception of Autism Assistance Dog Instructor)

SOC 3564Careers AdviserException applies

(with the exception of career guidance teachers in secondary schools)

SOC 3564Vocational Guidance SpecialistException applies

(with the exception of career guidance teachers in secondary schools)

SOC 3567Health and Safety OfficerException applies

(with the exception of Construction Safety Officers)

412 - Administrative Occupations: Finance

4
SOC 4121Credit ControllerException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA, in a role in credit control where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency)

SOC 4122Book-keeperException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA in a role in accounts payable where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency)

SOC 4122Payroll ManagerException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA in a role in accounts payable where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency)

SOC 4122Wages ClerkException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA in a role in accounts payable where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency)

511 - Agricultural and Related Trades

2
SOC 5111FarmerException applies

(with the exception of Pig Manager)

SOC 5119Other Agricultural and Fishing Trades (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of sea fisher in the Irish fishing fleet and speciality forestry harvesting technician)

524 - Electrical and Electronic Trades

1
SOC 5249Other Electrical and Electronic Trades (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of lineworker working on behalf of ESB Networks)

531 - Construction and Building Trades

1
SOC 5319Other Construction and Building Trades (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of Plastic Lining Technicians, Steel Fixers, Fencing Operators / Erectors and Curtain Wallers)

543 - Food Preparation and Hospitality Trades

3
SOC 5433FishmongerException applies

(with the exception of fish filleter)

SOC 5433Poultry DresserException applies

(with the exception of fish filleter)

SOC 5434ChefException applies

(with the exception of - Executive Chef with minimum of 5 years' experience Head Chef with minimum of 5 years' experience Sous Chef with minimum of 5 years' experience Chef de Partie with minimum of 2 years' experience Commis Chef with minimum of 2 years' experience who will be employed in establishments other than fast food outlets)

613 - Animal Care and Control Services

1
SOC 6139Animal Care WorkerException applies

(with the exception of work riders)

614 - Caring Personal Services

3
SOC 6142Ambulance WorkerException applies

(with the exception of paramedics)

SOC 6142Emergency Medical TechnicianException applies

(with the exception of paramedics)

SOC 6146Senior Care WorkerException applies

(with the exception of those working in disability services)

621 - Leisure and Travel Services

1
SOC 6219Other Leisure and Travel Service Occupations (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of tourist guides fluent in the official language of a State which is not a member of the EEA and is not an official language of an EEA state)

721 - Customer Service Occupations

2
SOC 7211Call Centre AgentException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA, where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency and is in- a customer service and sales role with relevant product knowledge, a specialist online digital marketing and sales role, or a specialist language support and technical sales support role)

SOC 7211Contact Centre AgentException applies

(with the exception of employment of a person fluent in the official language, apart from English, of a state which is not a Member State of the EEA, where the employment is supported by an enterprise development agency and is in- a customer service and sales role with relevant product knowledge, a specialist online digital marketing and sales role, or a specialist language support and technical sales support role)

811 - Process Operatives

11
SOC 8111Food Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative, Meat processor operative and Seafood Operative)

SOC 8111Drink Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative, Meat processor operative and Seafood Operative)

SOC 8111Tobacco Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative, Meat processor operative and Seafood Operative)

SOC 8112Glass Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8112Ceramics Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8114Chemical Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8115Rubber Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8116Plastics Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8117Metal Process WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8118ElectroplaterException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8119Other Process Operatives (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

812 - Plant and Machine Operatives

9
SOC 8121Paper Machine OperatorException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8122Coal MinerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8123Quarry WorkerException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8124Energy Plant OperatorException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8125Metal Working Machine OperatorException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8126Water Treatment OperatorException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8126Sewerage Plant OperatorException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8127Printing Machine AssistantException applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative)

SOC 8129Other Plant and Machine Operatives (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of Computer Numerical Control Operative and Saw Doctor)

813 - Assemblers and Routine Operatives

3
SOC 8131Electrical AssemblerException applies

(with the exception of Armature Rewinder)

SOC 8131Electronic AssemblerException applies

(with the exception of Armature Rewinder)

SOC 8137Sewing MachinistException applies

(with the exception of Industrial Machine Knitter)

821 - Road Transport Drivers

3
SOC 8211HGV DriverException applies

(with the exception of heavy goods vehicle drivers who have- a category CE or C1E driving licence, or an equivalent category to a category CE or C1E driving licence identified through a mutual recognition agreement between the Road Safety Authority and the appropriate regulatory authority in another jurisdiction)

SOC 8213Bus DriverException applies

(with the exception of bus and coach drivers who have- a category D, DE, D1 or D1E driving licence, or an equivalent category to a category D, DE, D1 or D1E driving licence identified through a mutual recognition agreement between the Road Safety Authority and the appropriate regulatory authority in another jurisdiction).

SOC 8213Coach DriverException applies

(with the exception of bus and coach drivers who have- a category D, DE, D1 or D1E driving licence, or an equivalent category to a category D, DE, D1 or D1E driving licence identified through a mutual recognition agreement between the Road Safety Authority and the appropriate regulatory authority in another jurisdiction).

822 - Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives

1
SOC 8229Other Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of Concrete Pump Operator)

911 - Elementary Agricultural Occupations

2
SOC 9111Farm WorkerException applies

(with the exception of dairy farm assistants) (with the exception of pig farm assistants)

SOC 9119Other Fishing and General Agriculture Occupations (not elsewhere classified)Exception applies

(with the exception of horticulture worker)

Want to check your eligibility for a General Employment Permit?

Based on official figures

The General Employment Permit is a derived pathway defined by DETE. Roles are eligible unless on the Ineligible List, subject to a Labour Market Needs Test and the current salary threshold.

Official government sources · last checked 12 October 2026.