Ireland has introduced significant changes to its employment permits regime to address labour shortages, while also streamlining the entry visa system by removing appeals for most short-stay visa refusals.
WHY THIS MATTERS
These developments reflect a broader policy shift to improve labour market responsiveness and streamline Ireland’s migration system. The expansion of employment permit eligibility is intended to address skills shortages across key sectors such as construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food, supporting both economic growth and service delivery.
At the same time, the removal of appeal rights for short-stay entry visa refusals aims to speed up processing and reduce administrative burdens, while increasing the importance of strong initial applications for short-term travel. Overall, the changes signal a dual approach of widening access to longer-term labour migration while simplifying and tightening short-term entry processes to improve system efficiency.
Key Highlights
Employment permits1
A total of 32 changes to employment permit occupation lists have been introduced. Changes include:
- Six roles added to the Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs) list.
- Nine roles made eligible for General Employment Permits (GEPs) without quotas.
- Two roles added with new GEP quotas, and 15 existing quotas renewed.
The updates target skills shortages in construction, healthcare, transport and agri-food sectors.
The government is set to explore amendments to the “50:50 rule” for employment permits (which requires that 50% or more of the workforce be from the European Economic Area/UK/Switzerland in order to apply for an employment permit), particularly to support healthcare and social care sectors facing staffing challenges.
Short-stay entry visa appeals2
- Appeals for short-stay (Type C) entry visa refusals are removed, effective 1 June 2026.
- This applies to most applicants, with an exception for individuals covered by the EU Free Movement Directive.
- Appeals remain in place for long-stay (Type D) entry visas, including employment, study, and most family visas.
- Applicants refused a short-stay entry visa are now required to submit a new application instead of appealing, allowing faster decision-making.
- The change aims to relocate resources and reduce processing times, especially for more complex visa categories.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Steps to Consider
Employers and employees could be mindful of these changes, as they may affect eligibility for certain roles and heighten the importance of submitting complete and accurate visa applications, particularly for short-term travel.
If employers have any questions or concerns about this update and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration adviser or a member of the immigration team with KPMG Law in Ireland (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTES:
1 Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, “Ministers Burke and Dillon announce new employment permits to support homes, health and transport”, published on 28 May 2026.
2 Government of Ireland, “Minister Colm Brophy announces removal of appeals for certain short stay visa refusals,” published on 29 May 2026.
Contacts
Elaine Norton
Associate Director, KPMG Law & Corporate Immigration and Employment Law
KPMG in Ireland
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ireland.
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