Minimum IELTS score to work in Ireland and get PR in 2025 | IDP Vietnam

There are a few routes that you can take to get a PR in Ireland. But regardless of your approach to permanent residency, you must reside legally and be working in Ireland on employment permit conditions for at least 5 years or 60 months. 

One way is by studying for your degree or English language at an Irish university as an international student. This means obtaining a Stamp 2 visa in your passport. 

Upon graduation, you can apply for a Stamp 1G permission under the Third Level Graduate Programme to remain in Ireland for up to 2 years, depending on your level of study. This grants you minimally 12 months to find suitable employment, with no restrictions on types of work or specific salary thresholds to meet. 

However, Stamp 1G does not count towards qualifying for long-term residency, and you’ll have to obtain either one of the qualifying stamps: Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 permissions. 

Each stamp you receive in your passport serves as an immigration permission, denoting what you can do and the length of your stay in Ireland, with conditions that apply. For instance, you will need to have an existing work authorization issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, such as the General Employment Permit required for Stamp 1 and the Critical Skills Employment Permit required for Stamp 4. 

1. Study visa route 

To embark on the study route to obtain PR, you will have to get a study visa by meeting the minimum English language requirement.  This will mean obtaining an overall IELTS band score of 5.0 on the academic test. It is also recommended to attain the highest score possible, as most universities in Ireland require you to obtain an overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 and above.  For example: 

• Trinity College Dublin: IELTS overall band score of 6.5 

• Technological University Dublin: IELTS overall band score of 6.0 

• University of Limerick: IELTS overall band score of 6.5 

2. Critical Skills Employment Permit 

Catering to jobs that require critical skills, including ICT professionals, professional engineers and technologists, the Critical Skills Employment Permit doesn’t require English test results like IELTS for immigration purposes. As an international job candidate, the employer might require you to validate your English proficiency with an IELTS test. There are also other eligibility criteria to qualify for this permit, including: 

• A minimum annual salary of €38,000 for a restricted number of Critical Skills Occupations as well as a relevant degree qualification 

• All occupations with a minimum annual remuneration of over €64,000 that aren’t on the Ineligible List of Occupations for Employment Permits 

• Securing a 2-year job offer 

You may apply for this permit before arriving in Ireland, which is applicable for 2 years. After completing 21 months of employment, you can apply for a Stamp 4 permission. It is issued for 2 years on a renewable basis, without the need for an employment permit to work in Ireland. 

3. General Employment Permit 

There are no restrictions on occupations needed to qualify for this permit, which is issued for an initial 2-year period and can be renewed for a maximum period of 3 years. You may be eligible to apply for a Stamp 4 permission after completing 57 months of employment as a pathway to long-term residency in Ireland and, eventually, citizenship by naturalization. Similarly, the General Employment Permit doesn’t require English test results like IELTS for immigration purposes. As an international job candidate, the employer might require you to validate your English proficiency with an IELTS test. There are also other eligibility criteria to qualify for this permit, including: 

• A minimum annual salary of €34,000 

• A job offer from an employer registered with the Revenue Commissioners 

• Proposed employment falls in a job category outside of the Ineligible List of Occupations 

While an IELTS score isn’t a requirement, it is still recommended to sit for the test and attain a high band score for the general test as part of the application. This could help to boost your chances for employment by proving your level of English is suitable for general living, working, and daily interaction in Ireland. 

4. Sports and Cultural Employment Permit 

This permit is designed to allow foreign nationals with the relevant qualifications, skills, and experience in sporting and cultural activities to work in Ireland for an initial period of up to 2 years. While the Sport and Cultural Employment Permit doesn’t require an English test score for immigration requirements, there are other criteria to satisfy, including: 

• Earning at least a national minimum wage or higher 

• Working for an employer that is registered with the Revenue Commissioners 

• Possessing the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience required for your employment position 

While taking the IELTS test isn’t a requirement, it is still recommended to sit for it and attain the best possible band score to improve your chances in the application process and as a way to prove your English proficiency. More information on employment permits can be found on Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website. 

 Study, work, and settle in Ireland with IELTS by IDP 

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