Stamp 5 Ireland
Stamp 5 is Ireland’s equivalent to indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Having transferred from another type of legal residence in Ireland, you can live and work in Ireland without needing a valid employment permit.
For help with your Irish Stamp 5 application, contact Immigration Advice Service at +44 (0) 333 305 9375, or you can learn more about our Irish immigration services by visiting our website.
What is Stamp 5 in Ireland?
The Stamp 5 immigration permission is known as Without Condition as to Time. This means that the holder does not have time limits on their permission to remain. You will also be able to work freely, even in casual employment, and you don’t need to have a job offer to apply. Other benefits of this stamp include access to healthcare and education services on the same basis as citizens.
Alongside the flexibility and security offered by Stamp 5, it also comes with the incredible benefit of contributing to your reckonable residence required for a non-EEA national to become an Irish citizen. After five years of continuous living in Ireland, you will be able to apply.
Stamp 5 also comes with strict requirements, as you need to have been living in Ireland on a valid immigration stamp for a specified period without breaking Irish law or immigration rules.
Page Contents
- What is Stamp 5 in Ireland?
- Differences between Stamp 5 and the Other Immigration Stamps
- Eligibility Requirements for Ireland Stamp 5 Application
- Required Documents for Stamp 5
- Stamp 5 Ireland Application Process
- Processing Time and Application Fee
- Reasons for Revocation of Stamp 5 Ireland
- Can My Dependents Join Me in Ireland?
- Stamp 5 and Irish Citizenship
- How Can IAS Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Differences between Stamp 5 and the Other Immigration Stamps
Before you begin the application process for Stamp 5, it is important to be aware of the other immigration stamps that may be more relevant to you or for which you may be more likely to be eligible. Once you receive the stamp, it will appear on your passport and will be listed on your Irish Resident Permit (IRP) card. This will show the conditions of your stay and how long you can remain in the country.
Find listed below the most common Irish stamps. Please note that many of these stamps have variants, i.e, Stamp 1G. These variants are designed to fit differing circumstances and have their own conditions and eligibility criteria:
- Stamp 0 – a temporary permission to remain in Ireland.
- Stamp 1 – similar to an employment permit, this allows you to work or start and operate an Irish business.
- Stamp 2 – similar to a study visa, this allows you to study a full-time course for a specific period. The programme must appear on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes.
- Stamp 3 – permission to stay in Ireland to conduct voluntary work or work as a Minister of Religion.
- Stamp 4 – permission to live in Ireland for non-EEA nationals who want to work or start a business without needing a separate employment permit.
- Stamp 6 – a stamp for Irish citizens who hold dual citizenship. You need to hold or be entitled to hold an Irish passport to qualify.
Ireland’s stamp system is complicated, and it can be hard to understand which stamp is most relevant to you and how you can prove your eligibility. With help throughout the entire application process, contact Immigration Advice Service at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or visit our website.
Eligibility Requirements for Ireland Stamp 5 Application
The primary eligibility criteria to be granted permission to remain in Ireland via Stamp 5 is that you have completed 8 years (96) months of legal residency in Ireland while holding relevant immigration stamps. While conducting your legal residency, you must be of good character without coming to the attention of the police or Irish immigration authorities. You also need to be residing in Ireland legally at the time that you make your application.
There are a number of other Irish resident permit stamps that can count towards your Stamp 5. These are stamps 1, 1G, 3, 4, and 4S. There are more stamps that can’t be used for your application, including the following. Some are variants on an immigration permission that can count towards your Stamp 5 application:
- Stamp 0
- Stamp 4 EuFam
- Temporary Registered Doctor’s Stamp 4.
- Student’s Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A.
- Trainee Accountant’s Stamp 1A.
- Intra-Company Transfer’s Stamp 4
- Spouse or dependent of an Intra-Company Transfer’s Stamp 3.
You also won’t be allowed to use any cancelled stamps or a temporary permission granted on entry to Ireland.
Required Documents for Stamp 5
To show that you fit the eligibility criteria, you will need to show a range of valid documentation. This will usually include the following, although Irish immigration authorities have the right to request further documentation as they see fit:
- A full colour copy of your current passport, and the same for any past expired passports that include Irish immigration stamps.
- Financial documentation in Ireland, including tax returns, proving that you have held continuous residency in Ireland for the required amount of time.
- A copy of your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
- Six months of continuous bank statements up to the point that you make your application.
Stamp 5 Ireland Application Process
Unlike many visa application systems, the Stamp 5 application is still done physically rather than online. Start by downloading the application form and completing it. You will then need to bring together this application form, along with your supporting documentation, into a package.
Once this is done, mail it to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in Ireland’s Department of Justice. The address you need to send it to is as follows:
Unit 3 – Residence Division
4th Floor
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2 D02 XK70
Ireland
Processing Time and Application Fee
The Stamp 5 application has no fee. However, you will need to pay the IRP registration fee of €300 once your application has been accepted.
Once you submit your application, you will have to wait for the processing time to elapse. The standard waiting time is six months, and received applications are processed chronologically. Issues with your application or administrative backlogs can extend this time. Irish Immigration Service Delivery currently acknowledges that there is a particularly high backlog, so you can expect such processing delays.
Ireland does not currently have a premium processing service that would allow you to pay a fee for faster processing. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have been granted permission to remain in Ireland throughout the period that you are waiting for processing.
Reasons for Revocation of Stamp 5 Ireland
Once you receive this permission to remain in Ireland without needing an Irish residence permit (IRP), you need to make sure that you closely follow the conditions. Failure to do so can lead to non-EEA citizens’ Stamp 5 immigration permission being revoked. You will then need to re-obtain an Irish residence permit (IRP), or you will need to return home.
Examples of the conditions that you will need to follow are listed below:
- You don’t break Irish laws or become involved in criminal activity.
- You live in Ireland continuously, apart from reasonable periods of absence, such as holidays, exceptional family circumstances, and meeting your commitments abroad.
- You make efforts to find gainful employment.
Can My Dependents Join Me in Ireland?
This is one of the immigration stamps that allows your family members to join you in Ireland, alongside Stamps 1 and 4. This includes your dependent children and partner. The requirements for non-EEA nationals are as follows:
- You hold an appropriate immigration permission.
- You and your dependents have entered Ireland legally.
- Your dependents are not currently subject to a Deportation Order or any other requirement to leave Ireland.
- Your dependents are of good character and will follow Irish laws and immigration rules.
There are three ways that your dependents can join you in Ireland, and each comes with a different application process. Firstly, they can enter Ireland on a D (Join Family) visa. This requires them to come to an appointment at a Registration office, bringing documents proving their status and your relationship with them. Failure to attend this registration appointment could mean that their future immigration application will be refused.
Secondly, your dependent can transfer from a valid Irish immigration stamp to a Family Dependent permission if they are already legally in the country. The standard €300 fee applies to make this transfer.
The final way that family members can join you in Ireland is if they entered the country on a Short Stay C visa and are asylum seekers. Alternatively, this method also applies to those who were refused registration as your dependent by a local immigration office. The dependent should apply by submitting a Family Dependent Application Form online.
Stamp 5 and Irish Citizenship
Overview
Stamp 5 is classed as reckonable residence to become an Irish citizen by naturalisation. This means that non-EEA nationals can use time spent in Ireland on their Stamp 5 immigration permission to remain. You need to have lived in Ireland under Stamp 5 or another form of reckonable residence to apply.
To be granted permission to become an Irish citizen, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You can prove your identity, such as by providing a passport, driving licence, or Irish Resident Permit.
- You meet the reckonable residence requirements and have adequate proof of residency. If you have spent an extended period outside of Ireland, you will need to show extensive detail about that time spent abroad and why you should still be considered to be continuously living in Ireland during this time.
- You will reside in Ireland once you become an Irish citizen.
- You have been of good character while living in Ireland.
Non-EEA citizens also need to have a year of continuous residence in Ireland up to the moment that they submit their application.
Submitting Your Irish Citizenship Application
Irish citizenship applications are done online rather than by mailing an application form. You will need to upload documents that prove your identity and prove that, as a non-EEA citizen, you have met the reckonable residency requirements.
For your application to be processed, you also need to pay the appropriate application fee. This is currently €175.
How Can IAS Help?
Stamp 5 is a superb goal for Non-EEA nationals living in Ireland to aim for. It allows you to live and work in Ireland with a greater degree of flexibility and stability than other immigration permissions, such as the Multi-Site Employment permit, Critical Skills Employment permit, or the Third-Level Graduate programme.
Getting this crucial immigration permission requires you to prove that you meet a host of eligibility criteria, such as that you have lived in Ireland for the specified period while obeying immigration rules. It is essential to be successful on your first application attempt due to the lengthy processing time. Getting help from an immigration lawyer, such as an expert from our team at Immigration Advice Service, can make this process much smoother. The immigration lawyer can then help you to achieve Irish citizenship after you have achieved enough reckonable residence.
Get connected with our team today by calling us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375. You can also visit our website to access our full range of services for those wanting to immigrate or move to Ireland.
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
If Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) decides that your application shows you are eligible for immigration permission to remain Without Condition as to Time, you will receive formal notification. You will then need to submit your passport via the post. Once it is received by the government, an immigration officer will make the appropriate stamp in the passport.
Stamp 5 is so popular because it allows the holder to live in Ireland without Condition as to Time and doesn’t require a job offer, as is often the case for a work permit. However, it isn’t the only immigration permission that has this benefit.
Stamp 6 is designed for naturalised Irish citizens who have dual citizenship. This permission to remain is known as ‘Without Condition’. As such, Stamp 6 is highly similar to Stamp 5, but comes with additional advantages associated with citizenship. This includes the ability to vote.
Stamp 5 Ireland does not currently have an appeals process. If your application is rejected and you believe you are eligible, you will need to reapply. Given the lengthy application processing time, this will put you in an insecure position with regard to your continued residence in Ireland. As a result, it may be more sensible to look into other immigration stamps that could be more relevant to your circumstances.
Some immigration permissions require you to get exit and entry visas if you need to leave the country. This is not the case for Stamp 5. You have unrestricted travel in and out of Ireland, so you can easily visit a family member back home or take a holiday outside of Ireland.
However, it is important to carefully consider the amount of time you are spending abroad. Extended periods away could harm your reckonable residence period required to convert your permission to remain in Ireland to citizenship.
Immigration Service Delivery has to believe you are of good character before they approve your application. Although each case is considered individually, a criminal conviction will make it far more likely that your application will be refused. However, it is never a good idea to hide information about criminal convictions during a visa or stamp application. If it is discovered, your application will certainly be refused. Furthermore, such behaviour could make it harder to have a successful application in the future.
