Potential employees from outside the EU and Switzerland must apply to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) for permission to work or live in Ireland.
British citizens can live and work in Ireland.
Register immigration permission
The Department of Justice and Equality grants permission to remain in Ireland. That is a special stamp or residence stamp and is endorsed on the person’s passport. It will also be stated on the Irish Resident Permit (IRP) card.
A Stamp number, for example, Stamp 1, Stamp 2, Stamp 3, illustrates each permission type.
The type of Stamp determines what the holder can do and how long they can stay in Ireland.
For example, Stamp 2 or 2A indicates permission to study in Ireland.
You will need to know the stamps and conditions that apply when recruiting potential employees from outside the EU and Switzerland.
When permission to stay in Ireland is granted, the potential employee must register it within 90 days.
Applicants living in Dublin should register with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
Applicants living outside Dublin should register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Stamp categories and conditions
There are a number of residence rights, or permissions to remain, also known as Stamps, that allow the holder to work in the State. Each has specific conditions attached.
Stamp 1
Stamp 1 indicates permission to work in Ireland, subject to conditions.
Summary of conditions
Applicants must:
- have an employment permit, or letter of permission stating an employment permit is not required
- apply to renew permission and registration before they expire if the holder wants to remain in Ireland past the expiry date of current immigration permission
Stamp 1G
Graduate student who currently holds a Stamp 2
Stamp 1G indicates the holder has finished their studies in Ireland and has permission to look for employment here under the Third Level Graduate Programme. This is subject to conditions.
Stamp 1G is for 12 months only.
A further 12 months is possible, subject to conditions, for those who have completed a master’s degree programme.
Summary of conditions
Applicants can:
- work full time in accordance with employment law requirements
- continue working after Stamp 1G expires but must find a job that requires an employment permit and then follow the usual application process with Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- follow the other permissions and conditions as for stamp 2
Note: You must carefully consider the conditions attached to Stamp 1G Graduate Student when determining the eligibility of these permit holders for HSE posts.
Spouse or de facto partner
Stamp 1G allows the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain an employment permit for the spouse or defacto partner of:
- critical skills employment permit holder
- researchers in the State on hosting agreements
Summary of conditions
Applicants can:
- work in the State without the requirement to obtain a work permit
- undertake courses of study in the State
They must apply for renewal of the Stamp 1G registration annually. After 5 years on a Stamp 1G, they can apply for a Stamp 4.
Stamp 1H - doctors
Stamp 1H indicates permission for doctors who are in receipt of a two year General Employment Permit to work as an NCHD (Non Consultant Hospital Doctor) in any public hospital or health care facility. This is only for the two-year validity period of their permit.
The HSE employer must inform the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) of any change in location or contract before that change occurs.
Summary of conditions
Applicants:
- will have a contract for less than 2 years with the initial hospital at the date of initial application, and which they must provide at registration or renewal stage
- can move to a different hospital at the end of their initial contract - in the HSE or public health service, subject to valid contracts
Doctors granted the Multi-Site Employment Permit will have similar benefits to Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders. This means that the conditions applicable to CSEPs are applicable in respect of them and their spouses/family.
Stamp 3
Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.
Summary of conditions
Applicants cannot:
- work or engage in any business, trade or profession, unless granted a work permit by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE)
- stay in Ireland past the expiry date of the immigration permission unless they renew their permission and registration before they expire
Stamp 4
Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.
Summary of conditions
Applicants can:
- take up employment and are not required to hold an Employment Permit
- work in a profession, subject to conditions of the relevant professional or other bodies
They must apply to renew permission and registration before they expire to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of the immigration permission.
Stamp 5
Stamp 5 indicates permission to stay in Ireland ‘Without condition as to time’ (WCATT) the holder can remain, subject to other conditions.
The stamp is valid up to the expiry date on the holder's passport.
Stamp 6
Stamp 6 indicates the holder is an Irish citizen with dual-citizenship.
