Irish Immigration Stamps

Stamp 1 may be used by those who hold a valid employment permit. Or, you will need a letter from the Immigration Service Delivery Department that you may work in the country without an employment permit. Stamp 1 determines whether or not you are allowed to have a business or do work as a self-employed worker in Ireland. This stamp is considered a residence when applying for citizenship by naturalization.

Eligibility

• Applicant must have permission to operate a company in Ireland
• Applicant may be eligible if they are operating under a Working Holiday Authorisation
• Applicant must be employed under an employment permit unless they have other immigration permission

Stamp 2 Is for those who plan to study an eligible program full-time. This stamp is not considered a residence if you are planning to apply for citizenship by naturalization.

Eligibility

You may not receive any benefits or use public hospitals.

• You are not permitted to participate in any other trade or business.
• You may work for no longer than 20 hours a week during school terms & no more than 40 hours during holidays.
• You may only study in Ireland for a maximum of 7 years.
• You must show a minimum attendance of at least 85%.

You may receive Stamp 2 if you are pursuing:

• PHD
• Higher National Diploma
• Postgraduate Masters Degree
• Undergraduate Degree
• English Language

This stamp is for those who are studying full-time in a program that is not on the eligible list, as well as spouses of financially independent students.

Eligibility 

You may be given Stamp 2A if these circumstances apply: 

• You are a spouse of an independent student.
• You are currently studying at a private secondary school.
• You are doing a semester abroad at an Irish college/university.

Stamp 3 is for those who have received permission to stay in Ireland for a specific period of time. This stamp is considered a residence if you intend to apply for citizenship by naturalization.

Eligibility

• You may not engage or work in any profession, trade, or business without obtaining a specific work permit from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.
• If you plan to stay in Ireland past the date your immigration permit expires, you must renew your permission before it expires.

You may qualify to obtain a Stamp 3 if you have permission to:

• Minister of Religion.
• Join a non-EEA/Swiss/EU partner or family member who is staying in the state on a work permit.
• Be a volunteer for a non-profit organization or charity.

Stamp 4 is considered as a residence if you also plan on applying for citizenship by naturalization. You can take up job offers while not having to possess an employment permit. You will be permitted to own and operate a business. You are also able to utilize funds of the state and other services as determined by the government and its relevant departments and agencies. If your intention is to stay in the country past the expiration date of your immigration permit, you must ensure you renew your registration and permit before they expire.

Eligibility

You may be entitled to Stamp 4 if you have permission to work in Ireland with the following criteria:

• You’ve held a Critical Skills Employment Permit that’s valid for at least 2 years
• You have held a viable employment permit for no less than 5 years.
• You are a researcher who has obtained an official hosting agreement for no less than 2 years.
• You may also be given a Stamp 4 If permission has been granted to you as a program refugee or convention, or solely for your protection.
• If you are joining a spouse or family member who has been identified as a refugee or granted subsidiary protection.
• For the purpose of long-term residency.
• For the IEP program (Investor & Entrepreneur Program)
• To live with and join your partner, spouse, or de-facto partner already residing as an Irish citizen.
• To stay with your child who has Irish citizenship.

Stamp 4S was applicable to those who are non-EEA persons that started their presence in the country lawfully with a limited right to work under a student’s permission and held this presence for a minimum of 2 years. This permit allowed qualifying people to remain in the country with a right to work for 2 years on conditions pertaining to a Stamp 4s permit. After those 2 years, if a person abides by the terms of the permission granted, they would be allowed a further year under Stamp 4 conditions. If your family lives out of state, you may not use this for reunification purposes to have them join you in the country.

Eligibility

• You must not become involved in any criminal activity.
• You must agree to obey all the laws of the country.
• You must agree that you will live in Ireland.
• You must agree to make every effort to obtain employment and not become a financial burden on the country.

This stamp is for US citizens who are eligible non-EAA relatives of UK citizens who plan to live in Ireland after 01/01/2021. This includes a spouse, de facto partner, or civil partner as well as dependant elderly parents or dependant children.

Eligibility

• The spouse, de facto partner, or civil partner must be 18 at the time of application.
• Marital relationships or civil partnerships must be lawfully joined and agreed to by both parties, monogamous, and conducted under Irish Law.
• Both parties must agree to reside in the country as a spouse, civil or de facto partner.

This stamp grants permission to stay in Ireland without change to the time at which you can remain here. Stamp 5 is considered as residency when applying for citizenship by naturalization. This stamp will remain viable up to the expiration date on your passport.

Eligibility 

You may obtain a Stamp 5 if:

• You have obtained permission to stay in the country “without condition as to time.”

You do not need to pay for the immigration stamp itself, but you are required to pay a fee for your registration certificate.

The IRP cost is about $365.

Your IRP may be free if you have refugee status, are under the age of 18, or have subsidiary protection status.

At Total Law, our team of professional immigration lawyers can advise you on the process of receiving an immigration stamp in Ireland.

Your Total Law advisor will provide you with all the necessary advice to proceed with travel to Ireland according to your circumstances.

For further information, contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 or use our online contact form to get in touch with our team of qualified immigration lawyers.