FOR EMPLOYERS

Hiring international engineers & skilled trades

Engineering and construction split unevenly across the Critical Skills list: most engineering disciplines qualify, but only a narrow set of specialist trades and site roles do. General labour and most on-site trades run the General Employment route instead, if they qualify for a permit at all.

Engineering disciplines

Each of these clears the €40,904 CSEP threshold with a relevant degree, no Labour Market Needs Test required.

Civil EngineerMechanical EngineerElectrical EngineerChemical EngineerProduction/Manufacturing EngineerQuality EngineerProcess EngineerBiomedical EngineerEnvironmental Engineer

Construction & specialist trades

A smaller, more specific set of construction roles is also CSOL-listed. Note the qualifier on two of these: only certain crane operator certifications and advanced (not general) scaffolding qualify, so check the exact wording of the official list against the specific certification your hire holds before assuming eligibility.

Quantity SurveyorBuilding Services EngineerConstruction Project ManagerCrane Operator (certain types)Scaffolder (advanced)

Everything else on site

General labourers and most unqualified trade roles are not on either list in a way that helps: general labour work sits on the Ineligible Occupations List outright. A role outside CSOL that isn't on the ineligible list can still go through General Employment at the €36,605 floor, but it needs the full Labour Market Needs Test: a 28-day advertising run before you can file.

Check a specific role

See the full occupation lists, or the decision framework for choosing between Critical Skills and General Employment.