In Ireland, there are several types of stamp with different names, e.g. Stamp 0, Stamp 1, etc. Each one indicates a type of permission, including the:
Activities you can - and cannot do - in Ireland
Time period you can stay – in Ireland
You must be familiar with your stamp and the conditions that apply to it.
The time you accumulate on certain stamps may be used to calculate your 'reckonable residence' (subject to conditions) if you apply for citizenship by naturalisation.
Below are the details of each Stamp and what entitlements you have with each one of them.
Stamp 0
Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period. You are not entitled to engage in any business, trade or profession or work in the state unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
Stamp 1
Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, provided you have relevant work permit. Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Conditions
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
Ireland has revised its Immigration Rules for non-EEA Stamp 1A Trainee Accountants as of 1st July 2019
Stamp 1A description
Stamp 1A indicates permission in full time, paid accountancy training (in compliance with the immigration rules or regulated by the IAASA and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland) for a specified period, subject to conditions.
Summary of conditions
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
1.) Graduate Student who currently holds a Stamp 2 or 2A permission
Stamp 1G indicates you have finished your studies in Ireland and have permission to look for employment here under the Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to conditions.
Summary of employment conditions for graduates
You can work full time in accordance with employment law provisions but are not permitted to operate a business or be self-employed.
If you wish to continue working after Stamp 1G expires, you must find a job that requires an employment permit and then follow the usual application process.
While on a Stamp 1G, your other permissions and conditions remain the same as for Stamp 2/2A.
2.) Spouse/de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or a Spouse/de facto partner of Researchers in the State on Hosting Agreements
From 6th March 2019, spouses and de facto partners of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder/ Researchers in the State on Hosting Agreements will be given Stamp 1G (formerly given Stamp 3) and this stamp will entitle them to work in the state without the need of any work permit.
Summary of employment conditions for spouses and de facto partners of CSEP holders and researchers on a Hosting Agreement permission
- Permitted to work in the State without the requirement to obtain a work permit
- Not permitted to establish or operate a Business
- Renewal of the Stamp 1G registration should be applied for annually, and after 5years on a Stamp 1G, you may apply for a Stamp 4
- Periods spent on Stamp 1G are considered as reckonable residence for the purpose of making an application for Citizenship/Naturalisation
Stamp 2
Stamp 2 indicates permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 2 is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
You can work in casual employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 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.
Stamp 2A
Stamp 2A indicates permission for full time study 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 residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
Stamp 3
Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.
Stamp 3 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
You cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
Stamp 4
Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 4 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of conditions
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 as determined by Government departments or agencies.
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.
Conditions when Stamp 4 can be granted
You may be given Stamp 4 if you have had permission to work 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
You may be given Stamp 4 if you are granted permission:
- 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 recognised 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
Stamp 5 indicates permission to stay in Ireland without limits on the time you can remain here, subject to other conditions. Stamp 5 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
The stamp will be valid up to the expiry date on your passport.
Examples when used
You may be given Stamp 5 if you have permission to:
Stamp 6
Stamp 6 indicates you are an Irish citizen with dual-citizenship.
Examples when used
You may be given Stamp 6 in your non-Irish passport if you have applied for permission to:
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