Ireland Work Visa Guide & Processing Times (NDVO & BVO)

A comprehensive reference guide for South Asian and East Asian professionals applying for Employment visas processed at the New Delhi and Beijing Visa Offices.

💼 Main Irish Employment Visa Categories

Before applying for an employment visa, you must obtain an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) in Ireland. The most common permits are:

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

Targeted at highly skilled professionals in eligible occupations (e.g. IT developers, engineers, healthcare workers). CSEP leads to fast-tracked residency and allows immediate family reunification.

General Employment Permit (GEP)

Covers a wider range of occupations not listed on the ineligible list. Requires a Labor Market Needs Test before applying. Family reunification is generally allowed after 12 months.

Atypical Working Scheme (AWS)

Allows non-EEA nationals to do short-term contract work in Ireland (usually between 15 and 90 days). Commonly used for specialized tech contracts, research, or clinical trials.

⏱️ NDVO & BVO Processing Timelines for Work Visas

Work visas are generally prioritized by both New Delhi (NDVO) and Beijing (BVO) Visa Offices, but processing times can fluctuate depending on caseloads:

Critical Skills Visas (NDVO): Often processed within 3 to 5 weeks.
Critical Skills Visas (BVO): Generally takes 2 to 4 weeks.
General Employment Visas (NDVO): Typically take 4 to 6 weeks.
General Employment Visas (BVO): Typically take 3 to 5 weeks.
Atypical/Business Visas: Usually resolved within 2 to 3 weeks at both offices.

📌 Important: Keep in mind that processing starts only after your physical passport and documents arrive at the NDVO or BVO from the VFS Application Center.

📂 Mandatory Documents Checklist

To submit a successful work visa application to NDVO or BVO, ensure you have gathered the following:

Original Employment Permit issued by DETE.
Signed AVATS Application Summary Sheet.
Official Employment Letter from your sponsor/employer in Ireland confirming salary and job title.
Comprehensive CV / Resume and copies of academic degrees/professional certificates.
Original passport valid for at least 12 months, plus past expired passports.
Six months of bank statements showing sufficient funds, and proof of medical insurance.

Monitor Your Work Visa Status Automagicially

Register your 8-digit AVATS number on our free visa tracker, and get an immediate email alert the minute the Embassy publishes your visa decision.