Irish Immigration Stamps: Apply from the UK

Per the Irish immigration rules, there are various immigration stamps. All stamps correspond to a particular type of immigration permit.

If you have any questions regarding Irish visitor visas for citizens of Ireland you can contact our expert immigration lawyers to discuss any concerns you may have, provide assistance or for some help navigating the application process.

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    What are Irish Immigration Stamps?

    There are a variety of immigration stamps in Ireland. They correspond to the type of visa that you’re seeking.

    The stamps will show the type of permission that you have, as well as the length of time that you can stay.

    Your country’s citizenship and residency status will also play a role in determining if you need a visa to enter or stay in Ireland.

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    Do British Citizens Require Immigration Stamps?

    Your country of residence and citizenship determines whether you will need a visa to enter Ireland. The Treaty of Rome allows for the free movement of European Union and EEA nationals within the EU (including Ireland).

    The treaty rights explain that you may not need a visa to enter Ireland if you’re a British, EU/EEA citizen. A valid passport or national identity card is all you need to enter and stay in Ireland for up to three months. This means that citizens of the UK, an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland are able to enter and reside in Ireland for up to three months simply by presenting their valid passport or national identity card – they do not require a visa or a work permit.

    If you are a British citizen with a British Passport – you are not required to get Immigration Stamps when wishing to enter Ireland due to the immigration rules. This is because of the Common Travel Area agreement that dates back centuries. Under this long-standing agreement, citizens of the UK can move, travel and live freely in Ireland. When a British citizen decides to relocate to Ireland, they can do so freely and will be privy to the same exact rights as Irish citizens.

    However, if you live in the United Kingdom by way of a different immigration pathway, such as a work visa, and are a non-European Union/EEA citizen, you will most likely require a visa to visit or reside in Ireland, depending on your travel purpose and your country of residence. You must establish whether you require a visa or not prior to travelling to Ireland to avoid any problems.

    What are the various stamps?

    If you live in the UK by way of a different immigration pathway, such as a work visa, and are a non-European Union/EEA citizen, you will most likely require a visa to visit or reside in Ireland, depending on your travel purpose and your country of residence.

    Each permission type in Ireland is done so by a stamp and a corresponding number, for example, stamp 1, stamp 2, and stamp 3.

    The type of stamp you receive in your passport will be stated on your Irish Resident Permit (IRP) card to inform you what you can do and how long you can stay in Ireland and the individual conditions.

    Once you have permission to stay in Ireland you must register it with the Irish immigration authorities, known as Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), within 90 days.

    It is during this appointment with the immigration services, that you will be given your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

    To get your IRP, you will need to provide the following information:

    • A valid passport (unless you have refugee or subsidiary protection)
    • Proof of address
    • Proof of your employment (if applicable)
    • Details about your situation in Ireland. For example, if you are married to an Irish citizen, you should bring your marriage certificate and proof that you are living together with your spouse.

    There is a fee of €300 for your Irish Residence Permit. However, your IRP is free if you:

    • Hold refugee status
    • Hold subsidiary protection status
    • Hold leave to remain under Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015
    • You are under 18 years old
    • You’re a resident based on your marriage to an Irish citizen
    • You’re a family member of a citizen of the European Union

    The following stamps are possible to be given:

    • Stamp 0
    • Stamp 1
    • Stamp 1A
    • Stamp 1G
    • Stamp 2
    • Stamp 2A
    • Stamp 3
    • Stamp 4
    • Stamp 4S
    • Stamp 4D
    • Stamp 5
    • Stamp 6

    Stamp 0 conditions

    Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, subject to conditions.

    You must reach the following:

    • You must be fully financially self-sufficient or your sponsor in Ireland must be and can support you fully.
    • You are not entitled to receive any benefits or use publicly funded services – You must have private medical insurance.
    • You are not permitted to work or engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission.

    Some example when you may be granted a Stamp 0:

    • You are retiring to or living in Ireland as a person of independent means
    • Be a visiting academic at an Irish university or college
    • Live in Ireland as the elderly, dependent relative of a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
    • Extend a short term visit here due to exceptional humanitarian circumstances
    • Work here for an overseas company to carry out a specific task for a limited time

    Stamps 1 and 1a

    Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to conditions.

    Stamp 1 is reckonable as a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization.

    You must reach the following:

    • You must not start a job or enter employment unless you or your employer has obtained an employment permit for you.
    • If you do not have an employment permit you must not engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
    • If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

    Stamp 1A is for full-time, paid accountancy training, with a named organization such as CPA Ireland, ICAI or regulated by the IAASA that offers a trainee accountant contract in Ireland, for a specified period, subject to conditions.

    You must reach the following:

    • You must not engage in any other business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
    • If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

    Stamp 1G

    A Stamp 1G is for people who have graduated from a level 8 or above course and wish to look for employment in Ireland and partners of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or Researchers on a Hosting Agreement.

    This is permitted under the Third Level Graduate Scheme and allows you to work in Ireland, subject to conditions like working a maximum of 40 hours per week.

    When applying for immigration permission which gives you Stamp 1G, you must hold Stamp 2 registration already.

    A Stamp 1G is also for the spouse/de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or Researchers on a Hosting Agreement.

    These spouses or partners are now able – through Stamp 1G – to work in Ireland without being required to obtain a work permit. Yet, they are not permitted to establish or operate a business, and they cannot be self-employed.

    Renewal of Stamp 1G registration ought to be applied annually. After five years on a Stamp 1G, you may apply for a Stamp 4.

    Time periods spent on Stamp 1G are considered as reckonable residence when applying for citizenship/naturalization.

    Stamps 2 and 2a

    Stamp 2 is for people who wish to study a full-time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes for a specified period.

    Stamp 2 is not reckonable as a residence.

     You must reach the following:

    • You are not allowed to receive any benefits or use publicly funded services (e.g., public hospitals) unless you have an entitlement via other means, such as insurance.
    • You can engage in casual employment for up to 20 hours a week during school term and this can increase to 40 hours per week during holidays. You must not engage in any other business or trade.
    • If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

    You may be given Stamp 2 if you have permission to study the English language, a Higher national diploma, a Degree (undergraduate), a Master’s degree (postgraduate), and a PhD.

    Stamp 2A is slightly different and is reserved for people who wish to study full-time in Ireland for a course that is not on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), for a specified period. Stamp 2A is not reckonable as a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization.

    You must reach the following:

    • You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services, e.g. public hospitals. You must have private medical insurance.
    • You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
    • If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

    You may be given Stamp 2A for a semester abroad or to study at a private secondary school in Ireland.

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      Stamp 3

      Stamp 3 is reckonable as a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization.

      This stamp is provided to those who have been granted permission to stay in Ireland as a volunteer or as a Minister of Religion. You must not work in any business, trade or profession.

      You may be given Stamp 3 if you wish to volunteer, be a minister of religion, or join your non-EEA/EU/Swiss spouse/civil partner or family member who is in Ireland based on a work permit.

      Stamp 4

      Stamp 4 is reckonable as a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization.

      You must reach the following:

      • You can take up employment and are not required to hold an Employment Permit.
      • You can work in a profession, subject to conditions of the relevant professional or other bodies.
      • You can establish and operate a business.
      • You may access state funds and services
      • If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

      You may be given Stamp 4 if you have had permission to work  or granted permission in Ireland:

      • With a valid Critical Skills employment permit for 2 years
      • With a valid employment permit for 5 years
      • As a researcher (ie with a valid Hosting Agreement) for 2 years
      • To join your Irish spouse, civil partner or de-facto partner
      • To join your EU/EEA or Swiss family member based on EU Treaty Rights
      • To join a family member who has immigration permission based on Stamp 4EUFAM (ie EU Treaty Rights)
      • To join your family member who is a recognized refugee or has been granted subsidiary protection
      • To remain with your child who is an Irish citizen
      • Under the Investor and Entrepreneur Programme (including spouse/partner & family)
      • For Long Term Residence
      • As a convention or programme refugee, or based on subsidiary protection

      Stamp 5 and Stamp 6

      Stamps 5 and 6 are for people who have been granted permission to stay in Ireland without limits as to the period of time they are able to remain here.

      Stamp 5 is also reckonable as a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization. It is granted to those who have completed 8 years of legal residency in Ireland.

      Those who are granted Stamp 5 permission are able to remain in Ireland ‘Without Condition as To Time.’

      Stamp 6s are for Irish citizens that hold dual citizenship. To qualify for a Stamp 6, you must hold or be entitled to hold an Irish passport.

      A Stamp 6 may be placed within a non-Irish passport for those who have applied for permission to remain in Ireland ‘Without Condition’.

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        Our team can offer legal guidance throughout your immigration journey, and we will make sure that you are eligible for the route you are applying for and can help you to meet the requirements.

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                  Frequently Asked Questions

                  To apply for Irish citizenship by naturalization, you need to live in Ireland for five years, within eight years. As the spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen, the duration is three years, within five years.

                  You can count how long you’ve lived in Ireland by adding up your Irish permission stamps. The stamps that count towards are:

                  • Stamp 1
                  • Stamp 1G for a spouse, civil partner or de facto partner of a Researcher on a Hosting Agreement or Critical Skills Employment Permit
                  • Stamp 3
                  • Stamp 4
                  • Stamp 5

                  Stamps that don’t count towards citizenship are:

                  • Stamp 0
                  • Stamp 1A
                  • Stamp 1G for Third Level Graduate Programme
                  • Stamp 2
                  • Stamp 2A

                  If you cannot get an appointment within 90 days, it is okay. Your permission will not be cancelled while you are waiting to register.

                  However, you must be able to demonstrate that you have tried to get an appointment within this 90 day period and that you have attempted to register.

                  Someone seeking to register beyond a reasonable time may be refused and issued with an intention to deport notification.