Graduate Route Eligibility Check
Irish Graduate Permit Eligibility Check
Check whether you may qualify for:
- Graduate Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Graduate General Employment Permit
- Standard Employment Permit Routes
Reference guide onlyThis checker gives a preliminary indication based on the answers you provide. It is not legal advice and not an official decision — only the relevant Irish authority can decide your case. Always confirm with an official source or a qualified immigration adviser before acting on it.
Your Education
The graduate window is measured from your most recent qualification.
Guide
Graduate Employment Permit Ireland 2026
Who Qualifies
Recent graduates who have completed a recognised higher education qualification may be eligible for a graduate employment permit. This includes graduates from Irish and international institutions, depending on the route applied for. The qualification must be at degree level or above, and the applicant must have a confirmed job offer from an Irish employer.
Graduate Critical Skills vs Graduate GEP
Graduate Critical Skills — For recent graduates of Irish institutions with a relevant degree for an occupation on the Critical Skills list. The reduced graduate salary threshold of €36,848 applies to Irish qualifications; a qualification completed outside Ireland is assessed against the standard threshold instead.
Graduate GEP — Also for recent graduates of Irish institutions. The occupation must not be on the Ineligible list. Reduced graduate salary threshold: €34,009.
Relevant Degree Requirements
For the Graduate Critical Skills route, your degree must be directly relevant to the occupation. For example, a Computer Science degree is relevant for a Software Engineer role, an Accounting degree for an Accountant role, or a Nursing degree for a Nurse role. If your degree is not relevant to the occupation, you may still qualify under the Graduate GEP or standard routes.
12-Month Graduation Rule
Graduate employment permit routes are available for 12 months from your graduation date. After this window closes, you must meet standard salary thresholds. For example, if you graduated in October 2025, your graduate route is valid until October 2026. Planning ahead is essential to ensure your application falls within this window.
Salary Thresholds
| Graduate Critical Skills | €36,848 |
| Graduate GEP (Irish institutions) | €34,009 |
| Standard GEP | €36,605 |
| Critical Skills (with degree) | €40,904 |
| Critical Skills (without degree) | €68,911 |
Labour Market Needs Test
A Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) is required for General Employment Permits, including the Graduate GEP. The employer must advertise the role for a minimum period to demonstrate that no suitable candidate is available from the EEA labour market. Critical Skills Employment Permits are exempt from the LMNT.
Common Refusal Reasons
- Salary below the applicable threshold
- Degree not relevant to the occupation
- Graduate route window expired (beyond 12 months)
- Occupation on the Ineligible Occupations List
- Incomplete or incorrect Labour Market Needs Test
- Employer does not meet minimum trading requirements
Employer FAQs
Can any employer apply?
The employer must be registered with Revenue and trading in Ireland. They must also meet minimum employee and turnover requirements depending on how long they have been established.
Does the employer need to be on a specific list?
No. Any qualifying Irish employer can apply. The employer does not need to appear on the historical companies list on this website.
Who submits the application?
Either the employer or the employee can submit the employment permit application to DETE.
🟢 Graduate Permit Examples
Software Engineer, Computer Science degree, UCD
Graduated June 2026, salary €42,000. Eligible for Graduate Critical Skills (above €36,848 threshold, relevant degree, Critical Skills occupation).
Marketing Manager, Marketing degree, DCU
Graduated March 2026, salary €35,000. Eligible for Graduate GEP (above €34,009 threshold, Irish institution, not on Ineligible list).
Accountant, History degree, TCD
Graduated May 2026, salary €35,000. Degree not relevant to Accounting occupation. Not eligible for Graduate Critical Skills, but may qualify for Graduate GEP.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I graduated outside Ireland?
You can still apply for an employment permit, but the reduced graduate salary thresholds only apply to qualifications completed in Ireland. If you graduated outside Ireland, your application is assessed against the standard Critical Skills or General Employment Permit thresholds instead.
Can I switch permit types later?
Yes, it is possible to apply for a different permit type at renewal, subject to meeting the relevant requirements at that time.
How long does the application take?
Processing times vary but typically range from 4 to 12 weeks. Check the DETE website for current processing times.
What happens after the 12-month window?
You would need to meet the standard salary thresholds for the applicable permit type (€36,605 for GEP, €40,904 for Critical Skills with degree).
Do I need a job offer before applying?
Yes. All employment permit applications require a confirmed job offer from an Irish employer.
Is the salary threshold based on gross or net pay?
The threshold is based on gross annual salary (before tax), excluding bonuses, commissions, overtime, and variable pay.