Stamp 4
The stamp number that you apply for dictates immigration permissions and work permits and residency terms during your stay in Ireland. Stamp 4 is a highly valued immigration status amongst foreign nationals moving to Ireland, as it allows you to live and work freely in Ireland without an Irish work permit. The stamp system does not apply to EU, EEA or Swiss citizens.
Irish immigration stamps are complicated, and it can be tricky to make sense of which stamp you should apply for. Total Law can help you. Call us today on +353 061 518 025 or contact us online.
What is Stamp 4?
Stamp 4 is an immigration permission that allows you to live and work in Ireland for more than 90 days without a valid employment permit in most professions. You are also allowed to operate a business without a permit, and are allowed to access state funds and publicly funded services.
Stamp 4 is considered as reckonable residence for those who wish to become an Irish citizen. Therefore, you can use the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) that you receive through Stamp 4 to apply for naturalisation.
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Who is Eligible for Stamp 4?
There are multiple different ways to become eligible for Stamp 4. In general, you need to have spent a specified period of time in Ireland already. If you have already been living and working in Ireland, you can be eligible for Stamp 4 if:
- You are a temporary Irish resident who has received an Irish Residence Permit (IRP), and are applying to become a long term Irish resident
- You have a valid 2 year Critical Skills Employment Permit, or are currently renewing the permit
- You have a valid 2 year Researcher under a Hosting Agreement permission, or are renewing your employment permit
- You have had a different type of work permit for five years
- You have an Ireland Investor Visa, or are the family member of someone who is working under the Investor and Entrepreneur Programme.
- Your child is an Irish citizen and you wish to remain in Ireland with them.
You may be eligible for Stamp 4 for your first time in Ireland under the following circumstances:
- You wish to join your spouse/civil partner/de facto partner who is already an Irish citizen
- You wish to join your spouse/civil partner/de facto partner who is an EU, EEA or Swiss national
- You are a convention or programme refugee
- You have been granted subsidiary protection
- You wish to join a family member who is recognised as a refugee.
You must also:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record and not be considered a threat to Irish national security
- Be of good character
- Have the financial means to support yourself during your stay in Ireland
- Have private medical insurance
- Have clear reasons and documentation proving why you are eligible for Stamp 4.
Whilst in Ireland, it is essential that you comply with all immigration rules and local laws. If you break the law whilst living in Ireland, you may have your permits revoked and could even face deportation.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Stamp 4?
Eligibility depends on your personal circumstances. Below are some of the most common reasons for applying for Stamp 4.
For Current Residents or 2 Year Employment Permit Holders
Below are some of the criteria you will need to meet in order to be eligible for Stamp 4. Please note that you are not eligible if you are self-employed.
- You have been living in Ireland for 5 years and have a valid Irish Residence Permit
- You have been living in Ireland on other qualifying stamps
- You have previous employment permits
- You have a 2 year Critical Skills Employment permit
- You have a 2 year Researcher under a Sponsor or Host Agreement
- You are employed before, during, and after your Stamp 4 application
- You don’t have any criminal charges or convictions and have proven to abide by Irish immigration rules and Irish laws.
For Applicants with an Investors Visa
In general, you must:
- Have a net worth of at least €2 million
- You don’t have any criminal charges or convictions and have proven to abide by Irish immigration rules and Irish laws.
You are only eligible for Stamp 4 through investment if you plan to invest in one of the following areas for at least three years:
- Enterprise investment (minimum €1 million of investment)
- Investment fund (minimum €1 million of investment)
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (minimum €2 million investment in Irish REIT or Irish Stock Exchange list)
- Endowment (minimum €500,000 donated to a philanthropic project that benefits the Irish public in Ireland’s arts, education, culture, health, or sports sectors.
For Spouse, Civil Partner or De Facto Partners
In general, you must:
- Be 18 year old or older
- Be in a monogamous, consensual marriage recognised by Irish law
- Be in a monogamous, consensual relationship with proof of having cohabited with your partner for two years prior to your application
- Be able to demonstrate commitment to each other permanently.
How Do I Apply for Stamp 4?
As there are several different routes to obtaining Stamp 4, the application process varies according to which visa you have or your reasons for staying in Ireland.
If you are from a non visa required country, you will not need to apply for a visa and can proceed to applying for Stamp 4 straight away. You will still need the same documentation that is required for the visas listed below.
All applications should be done online, unless you have particular mitigating circumstances that means you must apply in-person at your local immigration office.
If you wish to apply for Stamp 4 through the Immigrant Investor Programme, you are required to obtain an Investment Visa.
If you wish to apply for Stamp 4 as a family member, dependant or partner of an Irish citizen or permanent residence permit holder, then you should apply for the Join Family Member Visa.
If you wish to apply as an already long-term resident, then you should be able to apply with the current visa, employment permit and any other immigration permission documents you have.
How Long Does It Take to Apply For Stamp 4?
The application process for Stamp 4 varies greatly depending on which visa you have and the reasons for your stay in Ireland.
In general, it is best to assume that the application process will take between 3 to 6 months, though could take more or less time depending on how complex your personal circumstances are or whether you have any criminal convictions.
We understand that applying for Stamp 4 and all the visas and permits that you may also require takes a lot of time and is complicated. You want to be sure that your application process goes as smoothly as possible – that’s why we are here to help.
Contact our team of expert immigration lawyers at Total Law online or call us on +353 061 518 025 today.
What Documents Do I Need for Stamp 4?
Most applicants are required to have the following documentation to apply for Stamp 4:
- Stamp 4 application form
- Your current passport with at least 12 months of validity
- A recent passport photograph
- Itinerary detailing your intentions for staying in Ireland
- Previous Irish visas or clearances
- Information detailing any visa refusals or criminal convictions you’ve received in Ireland or abroad (if applicable)
- Either:
- An Authentic Employment Permit from INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) also known as ISD (Immigration Service Delivery), or
- A letter detailing an offer of employment by an Irish company, or
- A letter from the Minister of Justice explaining that the applicant is eligible without an employment permit
- Contact details of the relevant persons or companies that are involved in employing you or supporting you with a family work permit
- Irish Residence Permit card (IRP) if you already have one
- Proof of address in Ireland
- Proof of private medical insurance
- Proof that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your stay in Ireland (an employment permit can act as proof of finances)
- Application fee payment, if applicable.
How Can Total Law Help?
Stamp 4 is a great immigration permission to obtain for working and living in Ireland, and offers you unrestrictive opportunities across the country.
Stamp 4 allows a particularly wide variety of circumstances to apply, and so the application process for each person is relatively unique. Many cases that are eligible for Stamp 4 are very complicated, and you may need someone you can trust to support you so that you can be sure that you can stay in Ireland with as little stress as possible.
That’s why our team at Total Law is here. We are expert immigration lawyers who can hold your hand throughout the application process, as well as offer bespoke advice on your personal situation and help you to settle long-term in Ireland. Contact us online today or call us on +353 061 518 025. We are here to help.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In order to apply for Irish citizenship, you must be a permanent resident of Ireland for a certain amount of time, usually around three to five years, depending on your visa and unique circumstances.
Stamp 4 is considered reckonable residence, which means that it is a valid and long-term residence permit. Therefore, if you wish to apply for Irish citizenship, you can do so with the Stamp 4 immigration permission.
You don’t need an employment permit with Stamp 4, which is why this stamp number is particularly coveted among non-EU nationals travelling to live and work in Ireland.
Employment permits are usually required for other stamp numbers, and has a separate application process.
In general, Stamp 4 must be renewed annually, however if you are on the Investor Visa you can renew every three years.