Stamp 1G
The Stamp 1G, also known as the Stay-back Visa, allows legally-resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates who hold an academic qualification from a recognised Irish educational establishment to remain in the ROI and look for work.
If you would like to apply for a Stamp 1G or simply want to learn more about the benefits of holding a Stamp 1G, give the IAS team a call on +353 061 518 025 or contact us via our website.
Eligibility for the Stamp 1G
The Stamp 1G is issued on the understanding that the holder intends to seek graduate-level employment and is issued to individuals who plan to apply for a general employment permit, a critical skills employment permit or a research hosting agreement.
You are eligible to apply for a Stamp 1G if you have completed a programme of study in Ireland (this means that you hold an Irish student visa and Stamp 2/2A) and have received the necessary permission to look for work in the ROI under the terms laid out in the Third Level Graduate Programme.
"I'm very happy with the standard of training received on the OISC Level 1 course, i passed my exam. Thank you!"
Liam Calvert
Posted 3 years ago
"My application was approved and a huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders this year "
Akeel Lakar
Posted 3 years ago
"We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct."
Nabil Anwar
Posted 3 years ago
Other Conditions
In addition to the eligibility criteria outlined above, a Stamp 1G holder must also meet the following criteria:
- You must not have exceeded the seven-year limit on permission to remain in the ROI as a non-EEA national student.
- You may, if you have previously benefited from the Third Level Graduate Programme at a level eight award or above, on achievement of a higher level award, e.g. level nine or above, re-enter the Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to the eight-year year limit on non-EEA nationals.
- You must not have accessed the Third Level Graduate Programme on more than two separate occasions.
- You must comply with the laws of the ROI. This means that as a Stamp 1G holder, you should be of good character and not have come to the attention of the country’s law enforcement authorities during your stay in the ROI.
- You must provide evidence of your final academic award by way of an academic scroll or parchment, or, if you have not yet officially graduated, you must provide the ROI immigration authorities with an official letter from the awarding body that confirms that you have completed your course.
- If you are eligible to re-register for a Stamp 1G for a further 12 months (or part thereof), you will be expected to present evidence, such as attendance at job interviews and signing up with graduate employment agencies, that you have been actively seeking graduate-level employment over the previous 12 months.
Benefits
As a Stamp 1G holder, you are permitted to:
- Work for up to 40 hours per week.
- Work in the ROI without an employment permit.
- Renew the Stamp 1G annually.
- Apply for a Stamp 4 after five years on a Stamp 1G.
Stamp 1G holders may not start a business or become self-employed.
Naturalisation
Periods spent on Stamp 1G either as a graduate student or the spouse or de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment permit holder or the spouse or de facto partner of a researcher in the ROI on Hosting Agreements are eligible to be counted as ‘reckonable residence’ when it comes to applying for citizenship or naturalisation in the ROI.
Validity Period
For a level eight (Honours Degree) graduate, the Stamp 1G is valid for a maximum period of 12 months.
For levels nine and ten (Master’s degree and PhD), Stamp 1G is valid for a maximum of 24 months.
If you are eligible for a Stamp 1G that is valid for 24 months (graduates of level 9 and 10 programmes), you will be permitted to work in the ROI initially for 12 months, and you will then need to renew your visa for a further 12 months.
Application Process
Overview
You must apply for a Stamp 1G within six months of being notified by the relevant awarding body or institution that you have achieved the award for which you have enrolled as a student.
Graduates living in Dublin can apply for and renew their Stamp 1G using the online IDS portal.
Graduates living outside Dublin should visit their local Garda Siochána registration office to apply for a Stamp 1G.
Online Applications
If you wish to apply online for a Stamp 1G, you should follow the steps outlined below:
- Visit the Irish Immigration website for visa renewal and set up an account.
- Choose the option Applications for Permission to Remain in the State and then the option Registration Renewal.
- Complete the form and in the section Immigration Permission on the drop-down list, you should select the Stamp 1G option.
- Upload all the necessary supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee with your debit or credit card.
- Scan and upload the page in your passport that contains your personal information.
- Once your application is processed you can expect to receive your new IRP card in the post a few weeks later.
Registering Permission
Once you have permission to stay in Ireland in the form of a Stamp 1G, you must register your permission with the Irish immigration authorities, known as Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), within 90 days.
If you cannot register your permission within the 90-day deadline, your permission will not be cancelled. However, it should be noted that you must be able to demonstrate that you have sought an appointment within 90 days and that you have attempted to register as soon as possible.
ISD registers permissions in Dublin city and county, while the GNIB is responsible for permission registrations in the rest of the ROI.
Irish Residence Permit
When you have successfully registered your permission, you will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card by post at the address you provided when you applied for the Stamp 1G.
An IRP card is not an identity card but it is nevertheless an important document that proves you are resident in the ROI legally.
It is important that you carrythat carry your IRP card with you at all times during your stay in the ROI.
Required Documents
To get a Stamp 1G, you must present evidence that you have achieved the award for which you enrolled as a student.
You must also hold and be able to prove you are a current Stamp 2 student with immigration permission and possess an up-to-date immigration registration card.
Acceptable documentation, which may be verified by the immigration authorities, includes:
- A letter of confirmation from the awarding body institution of the award achieved, typically in the form of an official degree scroll or parchment.
- DBS Graduate Scheme Visa Letter. This is the statement of your final results.
- A valid passport.
- A current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card.
- Evidence that you have private medical insurance (purchased in Ireland), which must have a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment at a medical centre in the ROI.
Fees & Processing Times
Applications for a Stamp 1G typically take between 3 to 5 weeks to process, however due to backlogs in visa renewals, the process of acquiring a Stamp 1G can sometimes take longer.
The cost of registering a Stamp 1G is €300 registration fee.
How Total Law Can Help?
If you would like to apply for a Stamp 1G or simply want to learn more about the benefits of holding the stamp, IAS is here to help.
We are an experienced team of immigration lawyers and offer several packages for graduates wishing to remain in the ROI and find work.
Our Stamp 1G packages include:
- Advice Package.
- Application Package.
- Fast Track Package.
- Document Check Package.
To learn more about how we can help with your Stamp 1G application, give the IAS team a call on +353 061 518 025 or contact us via our website.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
To avoid getting an error message when you seek to apply for a Stamp 1G, you should enter the current date in the expiration field if your IRP card will expire in less than a month.
Yes. Recipients of Stamp 1G are permitted to return to education once the stamp has lapsed, but they must re-enter at a higher level and must be able to finish the new course within the seven-year time limit set for non-EEA students.
For graduates with an award at level nine or above the overall limit is eight years
No. Graduates who would be otherwise eligible for Stamp 1G but whose permission to remain in Ireland has lapsed cannot apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme.
A person seeking to register permission to stay in the ROI beyond 90 days may be refused permission and issued a deportation notification.
No. All applications for Stamp 1G must be made from within the ROI.