Stamp 0: Temporary Residence Permission in Ireland
Stamp 0 authorises temporary residence in Ireland, subject to strict compliance with the conditions outlined below.
Summary of Conditions
- The individual must demonstrate full financial self-sufficiency through independent means. Alternatively, an Irish-based sponsor possessing independent means may provide complete financial support.
- Receipt of any State benefits or access to publicly funded services is strictly prohibited, including treatment in public hospitals.
- Valid private medical insurance covering the full duration of stay is mandatory.
- Engagement in employment, business, trade, or profession is not permitted unless expressly authorised in writing by Immigration Service Delivery.
Permitted Scenarios for Stamp 0
Stamp 0 may be granted in the following circumstances:
- Retirement or residence in Ireland as a person of independent means.
- Participation as a visiting academic at an accredited Irish third-level institution.
- Residence as an elderly, dependent relative of an Irish national or of a non-EEA/Swiss citizen lawfully resident in Ireland.
Stamp 1: Permission to Work or Operate a Business in Ireland
Stamp 1 authorises employment or the operation of a business in Ireland, subject to strict adherence to the conditions specified below. It is granted only to individuals holding a valid employment permit or an official letter from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) confirming that no employment permit is required. Such letter may also explicitly authorise self-employment or business establishment. Stamp 1 residence is reckonable for the purposes of an application for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
- Employment may not commence unless a valid employment permit has been issued to the individual or their employer, or the ISD permission letter expressly states that no employment permit is required.
- In the absence of an employment permit, engagement in any business, trade, or profession is prohibited unless explicitly authorised in writing by ISD.
- Any intention to remain in Ireland beyond the expiry of current immigration permission requires a timely application for renewal of both permission and Irish Residence Permit (IRP) prior to expiration.
Permitted Scenarios for Stamp 1
Stamp 1 may be granted in the following circumstances:
- Employment in Ireland under a valid employment permit.
- Operation or establishment of a business in Ireland, where expressly authorised.
- Employment in Ireland pursuant to a Working Holiday Authorisation.*
*Note: Permission under a Working Holiday Authorisation is neither renewable nor variable. The individual must depart the State upon expiry of the authorisation.
Stamp 1H: Permission for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) under Multi-Site General Employment Permit
Stamp 1H grants permission to medical doctors holding a two-year Multi-Site General Employment Permit to practise as Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) in any public hospital or Health Service Executive (HSE) healthcare facility throughout the permit’s validity period. Stamp 1H residence is reckonable for the purposes of an application for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
- Initial registration or renewal requires submission of the six-month contract with the original employing hospital.
- Doctors may transfer to another HSE hospital or facility upon expiry of the initial contract, provided a valid new contract is in place.
- Any change in employment location or contract terms must be notified in advance to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) by the employer; DETE retains ongoing monitoring authority.
- Although issued as General Employment Permits, Multi-Site permits for NCHDs confer equivalent benefits to Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEPs). Accordingly, all conditions applicable to CSEP holders—including those concerning spouses and family members—apply equally to Stamp 1H holders.
Permitted Scenario for Stamp 1H
Stamp 1H is granted exclusively to doctors who:
- Hold a two-year Multi-Site General Employment Permit authorising employment as an NCHD in any public hospital or HSE healthcare facility for the full duration of the permit.
Stamp 1A: Permission for Trainee Accountants (Non-EEA)
Stamp 1A authorises non-EEA nationals to undertake full-time, remunerated accountancy training in Ireland for a specified period, in strict compliance with the Immigration Rules for Stamp 1A Trainee Accountants effective 1 July 2019. The training must be regulated by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) or otherwise meet ISD requirements, and be governed by a formal training contract with an Ireland-based employer.
Summary of Conditions
- Engagement in any business, trade, or profession outside the approved training contract is prohibited unless expressly authorised in writing by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
- The entire accountancy training programme must be completed within a maximum of four years from the date of first registration.
- Permission is strictly time-bound. To remain in Ireland beyond the expiry of current immigration permission, a timely application must be made prior to expiry for renewal, extension, or an alternative permission (e.g., employment permit).
Permitted Scenario for Stamp 1A
Stamp 1A is granted exclusively to individuals who:
- Hold permission to reside in Ireland for the sole purpose of studying accountancy as a trainee while employed under an approved training contract with an Irish-based employer.
Stamp 1G: Post-Study Employment or Dependent Employment Permission
Stamp 1G authorises temporary residence in Ireland for the purpose of seeking or undertaking employment under two distinct categories: (1) graduates of Irish third-level institutions participating in the Third Level Graduate Programme, or (2) spouses/de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders or researchers on Hosting Agreements. Periods of residence on Stamp 1G are reckonable for applications for citizenship by naturalisation.
1. Graduates under the Third Level Graduate Programme
Stamp 1G is granted upon completion of an eligible programme of study previously undertaken on Stamp 2. It permits the graduate to reside and seek employment in Ireland.
Summary of Conditions
- Initial duration: 12 months (non-renewable).
- Master’s or higher degree: eligible for a further 12 months (total 24 months), subject to conditions.
- Full-time employment is permitted in accordance with employment law.
- Operation of a business or self-employment is strictly prohibited.
- All other conditions applicable to Stamp 2 (e.g., study restrictions) remain in force.
- To continue working after expiry, the graduate must secure a position requiring an employment permit and apply through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
Permitted Scenario Stamp 1G is granted to graduates who:
- Seek or undertake employment under the Third Level Graduate Programme.
2. Spouses/De Facto Partners of CSEP Holders or Researchers on Hosting Agreements
Stamp 1G may be granted to spouses or de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders or researchers admitted under Hosting Agreements, conferring immediate labour-market access.
Summary of Employment and Study Conditions
- Employment in any role is permitted without the requirement for an employment permit.
- Enrolment in courses of study is allowed.
- Establishment or operation of a business is prohibited.
- Self-employment is prohibited.
- Registration must be renewed annually.
- After five years’ continuous residence on Stamp 1G, eligibility arises for Stamp 4 permission.
Permitted Scenario Stamp 1G is granted to spouses/de facto partners who:
- Reside in Ireland dependent on a principal permission holder (CSEP or Hosting Agreement researcher) and seek to access the labour market or undertake studies without an employment permit.
Stamp 2: Student Permission for Full-Time Study in Ireland
Stamp 2 authorises non-EEA nationals to reside in Ireland for the purpose of pursuing a full-time course of study listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period. Periods of residence on Stamp 2 are not reckonable for applications for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
- Access to State benefits or publicly funded services (including treatment in public hospitals) is prohibited unless an independent entitlement exists.
- Casual employment is permitted up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during official holiday periods (as defined by the Department of Justice).
- Engagement in any business, trade, or profession outside the permitted employment limits is strictly prohibited.
- Permission is time-limited. Renewal applications (up to a cumulative maximum of 7 years’ student permission) must be submitted before expiry of both immigration permission and Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
- Maximum duration of student permission: 7 years in total, irrespective of course level.
- Academic progression: Evidence of annual progression to a higher level or new qualification is mandatory (except for English-language students moving to higher education).
- English-language students:
- Limited to three 25-week courses (maximum 75 weeks total).
- Minimum attendance requirement: 85%.
- Further study beyond three courses requires enrolment on an ILEP-listed higher-education programme.
- General obligations applicable to all immigration stamps:
- Strict compliance with the laws of the State.
- No involvement in criminal activity.
- Continuous residence in Ireland, with absences permitted only for holidays, exceptional family circumstances, or commitments outside the State directly linked to employment or business carried on within Ireland.
Permitted Scenarios for Stamp 2
Stamp 2 is granted to individuals who hold permission to study full-time on an ILEP-listed programme, including:
- English-language courses
- Higher national diplomas
- Undergraduate degrees
- Master’s degrees (postgraduate)
- Doctoral degrees (PhD)
- Other eligible third-level or further-education programmes listed on the ILEP.
Stamp 2A: Permission for Full-Time Study on Non-ILEP Courses
Stamp 2A authorises non-EEA nationals to reside in Ireland for the purpose of pursuing a full-time course of study that is not included on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). It may also be granted in limited circumstances to spouses or de facto partners of certain financially independent students. Periods of residence on Stamp 2A are not reckonable for applications for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
- Receipt of State benefits or access to publicly funded services, including treatment in public hospitals, is strictly prohibited.
- Valid private medical insurance covering the full duration of stay is mandatory.
- Engagement in any form of employment, self-employment, business, trade, or profession is not permitted.
- Permission is strictly time-bound. Any intention to remain in Ireland beyond the expiry date requires a timely application for renewal of both immigration permission and Irish Residence Permit (IRP) prior to expiration.
Permitted Scenarios for Stamp 2A
Stamp 2A is granted exclusively in the following circumstances:
- Participation in a semester-abroad programme at an accredited Irish university or third-level college.
- Full-time study at a private secondary school in Ireland.
- Residence as the spouse or de facto partner of a financially independent student holding valid permission, where expressly authorised by Immigration Service Delivery.
Stamp 3: Permission for Residence Without Employment Rights
Stamp 3 authorises temporary residence in Ireland for a specified period in circumstances where engagement in employment or business is not permitted. Periods of residence on Stamp 3 are reckonable for the purposes of an application for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
- Engagement in any form of employment, self-employment, business, trade, or profession is strictly prohibited.
- Permission is time-limited. Any intention to remain in Ireland beyond the expiry date requires submission of a renewal application for both immigration permission and Irish Residence Permit (IRP) prior to expiration.
Permitted Scenarios for Stamp 3
Stamp 3 is granted exclusively in the following circumstances:
- Full-time volunteering with a registered Irish charity or non-profit organisation.
- Service in the State as a minister of religion.
- Residence as the spouse, civil partner, or dependent family member of a non-EEA/EU/Swiss national who holds residence permission based on an employment permit or equivalent work authorisation.
No, a student visa does not automatically entitle family members to accompany you to Ireland. If your family members wish to join you, they must apply separately for the appropriate immigration permission and meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
You should apply for your student visa at least three months before your intended travel