Eligible Spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders Can Start Work Sooner
March 6, 2019

The situation
In a change of policy, eligible spouses of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders can now start working in Ireland immediately upon obtaining a Stamp 1 Irish Residence Permit (IRP), rather than having to obtain a separate employment permit through a time-consuming process.
A closer look
- New applicants. Spouses and de facto partners of CSEP holders who appear at an Immigration Office on or after March 6, 2019 can request a Stamp 1 IRP, which will allow them to work in Ireland under the new rule with immediate effect. Note that self-employment is not possible under a Stamp 1 IRP.
- Transfer of permit possible. Eligible spouses who applied for work authorization based on the prior application process (who are likely still awaiting their authorization due to the prolonged processing times) can schedule an appointment with their local immigration office to transfer their authorization under the new policy. The CSEP permit holder must attend the appointment as well. However, due to lengthy appointment waiting times in Dublin, it may still take 50-80 calendar days to obtain an IRP in such cases.
- Unaffected categories. Spouses of other permit holders, including the Intracompany Transfer Permit and General Employment Permit, are still required to obtain a separate employment permit. These categories are still not eligible for work authorization on the basis of their spouse or de facto partner.
Impact
The change should make the CSEP category more attractive to foreign workers seeking to relocate to Ireland with their spouses.
Eligible spouses should benefit from faster and easier access to the Irish labor market.
Background
The change follows several years of campaigning against the previous employment permit process, which many considered cumbersome and bureaucratic.
Looking ahead
This change is in line with the government’s efforts to streamline existing immigration processes to encourage highly-skilled foreign nationals to fill positions for which local workers are not readily available, particular in the growing information, technology and communications sectors.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Awards
Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Blog post
Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Media mentions
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Awards
Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Media mentions
Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Awards
Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Blog post
Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Media mentions
Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter Büro von Fragomen.

Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.