
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
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.


