
At a Glance
- Irish authorities are inviting comment submissions on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits.
- Employers interested in submitting comments can do so via email by December 11, 2020. Fragomen can assist with comment drafting and submission.
- Following the review period, the government may add occupations to the Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Categories, which would expand hiring options for employers and prospective employees.
The situation
Irish authorities are once again inviting comment submissions on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits.
A closer look
Employers interested in submitting comments can do so via a form available on the Irish government website.
The completed form should be emailed to [email protected] by December 11, 2020. Fragomen can assist with comment drafting and submission.
Background
The Critical Skills Occupations List determines which occupations are eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, an immigration route for local hires that exempts employers from labor market testing, among other advantages.
The Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits determines for which occupations foreign nationals from non-EU/European Economic Area/Swiss nationals cannot qualify when applying for a sponsorship-based Employment Permit.
Looking ahead
Following the review period, the government may add occupations to the Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Categories (both local-hire permits), which would expand hiring options for employers and prospective employees in the following months. However, this update may be delayed due to the general elections occurring in February.
Fragomen will report on related updates.
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
Media mentions
In this article published by Professional Engineering, Senior Manager Nadine Barnole examines how UK engineering employers can continue to access international talent amid growing skills shortages and a rapidly evolving immigration landscape.
Media mentions
In this Times Brasil CNBC Real Tech interview, Partner Diana Quintas discusses Brazil’s recent visa exemption for Chinese nationals, what it signals for Brazil-China mobility and how technology is helping support more efficient cross-border movement.
Podcast
In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi is joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Solutions Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries; Stuart Szabo, CEO and Co-founder of Beacon; and Jessica Turner, Co-founder and CEO of ThriveON, to discuss refugee labour mobility and employment-based pathways for displaced talent.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui provides an overview of key visa and compliance considerations for business travelers planning trips to China.
Media mentions
In this profile published in Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle, Counsel Christopher Wendt discusses the role of immigration in supporting the US healthcare workforce and expanding access to civil legal aid in Minnesota.
Media mentions
Director Isobel Neilson discusses how investment migration programs are evolving amid political scrutiny, regulatory reform and shifting priorities, with governments moving toward pathways that emphasise economic contribution, talent and stronger ties to host countries.
Fragomen news
Fragomen welcomes Counsel Christopher Wendt in Minnesota, bringing nearly three decades of immigration law experience, including more than 20 years supporting workforce immigration programs for Mayo Clinic.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Switzerland’s rejected population cap referendum and the role of immigration in supporting workforce and economic stability.
Awards
Fragomen has been featured in the 2026 GML Elite, Global Mobility Lawyer’s inaugural guide to leading global mobility teams, highlighting the firm’s global immigration capabilities, international footprint and work supporting multinational clients.
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere outlines the key 2026 EU Blue Card changes employers must understand to stay compliant and competitive.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe explained options available to Scotland fans whose US ESTAs have been denied or revoked ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses evolving corporate relocation strategies and sustained demand for moves to the Gulf.
Media mentions
In this article published by Professional Engineering, Senior Manager Nadine Barnole examines how UK engineering employers can continue to access international talent amid growing skills shortages and a rapidly evolving immigration landscape.
Media mentions
In this Times Brasil CNBC Real Tech interview, Partner Diana Quintas discusses Brazil’s recent visa exemption for Chinese nationals, what it signals for Brazil-China mobility and how technology is helping support more efficient cross-border movement.
Podcast
In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi is joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Solutions Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries; Stuart Szabo, CEO and Co-founder of Beacon; and Jessica Turner, Co-founder and CEO of ThriveON, to discuss refugee labour mobility and employment-based pathways for displaced talent.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui provides an overview of key visa and compliance considerations for business travelers planning trips to China.
Media mentions
In this profile published in Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle, Counsel Christopher Wendt discusses the role of immigration in supporting the US healthcare workforce and expanding access to civil legal aid in Minnesota.
Media mentions
Director Isobel Neilson discusses how investment migration programs are evolving amid political scrutiny, regulatory reform and shifting priorities, with governments moving toward pathways that emphasise economic contribution, talent and stronger ties to host countries.
Fragomen news
Fragomen welcomes Counsel Christopher Wendt in Minnesota, bringing nearly three decades of immigration law experience, including more than 20 years supporting workforce immigration programs for Mayo Clinic.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses Switzerland’s rejected population cap referendum and the role of immigration in supporting workforce and economic stability.
Awards
Fragomen has been featured in the 2026 GML Elite, Global Mobility Lawyer’s inaugural guide to leading global mobility teams, highlighting the firm’s global immigration capabilities, international footprint and work supporting multinational clients.
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere outlines the key 2026 EU Blue Card changes employers must understand to stay compliant and competitive.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe explained options available to Scotland fans whose US ESTAs have been denied or revoked ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses evolving corporate relocation strategies and sustained demand for moves to the Gulf.
