
The Irish government has added several occupations to the Critical Skills Occupations List for Employment Permits for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom and Switzerland following a comprehensive review by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These occupations include: pharmacist, cardiac physiologist, medical scientist, occupational therapists, physiotherapist, podiatrist/chiropodist, psychologist and speech language therapist. Additionally, the quota of General Employment Permits that may be issued for bricklayers and plasterers was removed. Finally, the quota of General Employment Permits that may be issued to Meat Processing Operatives has been increased by 425. These changes open the door for companies to hire more workers from outside the EEA to counteract the skills shortages and pressures on the health, construction and agri-food 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
Article
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Fragomen on immigration
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen is named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia and receives National and Regional Tier 1 rankings in Immigration Law.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses the broad application of a USCIS memo to adjustment of status applicants and notes that H- and L-visa holders may have a somewhat easier burden in demonstrating factors that support favorable discretion.
Article
Senior Manager Alice Spaull and Associate Stephanie Fitton examine the evolving UK immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for athletes, their support teams and associated guests attending the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighting key compliance risks and the importance of early travel planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.
Video
Senior Manager Sumejja Handzo outlines Germany’s health insurance requirements for visas and residence permits, including coverage options, documentation considerations and key compliance requirements for foreign nationals relocating to Germany.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.
Article
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Fragomen on immigration
Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes how post‑midterm US business immigration will shift toward heightened enforcement, worker‑protection scrutiny and cross‑agency oversight, urging employers to align hiring practices, sponsorship decisions and documentation with consistent, defensible workforce strategies.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen is named “Law Firm of the Year” for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms™ - Australia and receives National and Regional Tier 1 rankings in Immigration Law.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses the broad application of a USCIS memo to adjustment of status applicants and notes that H- and L-visa holders may have a somewhat easier burden in demonstrating factors that support favorable discretion.
Article
Senior Manager Alice Spaull and Associate Stephanie Fitton examine the evolving UK immigration and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements for athletes, their support teams and associated guests attending the Commonwealth Games 2026, highlighting key compliance risks and the importance of early travel planning.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses a recent USCIS memo that appears to signal greater caution in how adjudicators assess adjustment of status cases rather than establishing a new legal standard.
Video
Senior Manager Sumejja Handzo outlines Germany’s health insurance requirements for visas and residence permits, including coverage options, documentation considerations and key compliance requirements for foreign nationals relocating to Germany.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.

