In this article we examine the following types of Immigration Permission Stamps:
- Landing Stamp
- Stamp 0 - Permission to stay if you are financially self-sufficient
- Stamp 1 - Permission to work or operate a business in Ireland subject to permit
- Stamp 1A - Permission for full-time paid accountancy training
- Stamp 1G - Permission to stay and work in Ireland as a graduate of an Irish College
- Stamp 2 - Permission to study on a full-time recognised course
- Stamp 2A - Permission to study on a course that is not recognised
- Stamp 3 - Permission to volunteer for a non-profit organisation, permission as a minister of religion, or to join a non-EEA/EU/Swiss spouse who is based in Ireland on a work permit.
- Stamp 4 - Permission to work or operate a business without permit requirement
- Stamp 5 - Permission to stay in Ireland without time restrictions
- Stamp 6 - Stamp indicating dual citizenship.
Landing Stamp
A Landing Stamp is given to a person who has been allowed to enter the state. It gives you permission to stay in Ireland until the date indicated or for a maximum of 3 months.
Stamp 0
Stamp 0 is a permission given to financially self-sufficient individuals or for individuals whose sponsor can fully support them.
This stamp offers no permission to work or engage in business.
Typically it is granted to people who want to retire in Ireland and are of independent means or to visiting academics sponsored by an educational institution.
Stamp 1
Stamp 1 defines permissions relating to work and business activities. Most commonly Stamp 1 is given to individuals registering on the basis of an Employment Permit.
Stamp 1 is reckonable when applying for citizenship by naturalisation
Stamp 1A
Stamp 1A is a permission for trainee accountants. Under this scheme you can undertake accountancy training while being employed full-time as a trainee accountant.
Stamp 1G
Stamp 1G was originally introduced to provide third level graduates with a permission to look for employment. More recently Stamp 1G is also given to spouses/partners of persons on Critical Skills Employment Permit program and researchers.
Stamp 1G allows you to take up employment for up to 40 hours per week but you are not allowed to open or run a business.
Stamp 2
Stamp 2 is a permission to undertake full-time studies on a recognised course. INIS maintains a list of eligible courses on their website. The two most popular variants of visa eligible courses are English language courses and university degrees.
You are obliged to maintain a minimum level of attendance and show that you are progressing with your studies. During the course of study you are permitted to work part-time. Part-time work is defined as work of up to 20 hours per week. Outside term time, meaning during summer and the Christmas period, it is permitted to work up to 40 hours per week. You are not allowed to engage in any business activities on Stamp 2.
Stamp 2A
Stamp 2A is an exceptional case of Stamp 2 where permission is granted to study on a course that is not listed on the list of the eligible programmes. It is most commonly granted for 'semester abroad' programmes and to students of private secondary schools in Ireland.
Stamp 3
Stamp 3 is a permission to remain in Ireland without the right to work or engage in business activities.
Stamp 3 is normally given to volunteers, ministers of religions and people who join their non-EU/EEA spouse residing in Ireland on the basis of an Employment Permit.
Stamp 4
Stamp 4 gives you unrestricted permission to work and engage in business activities in Ireland for a set amount of time
Stamp 4 may be given for example:
- after you hold a valid Critical Skills Employment Permit for 2 years
- after you hold a valid employment permit for 5 years
- as a civil partner or de-facto partner of an Irish/EU spouse
Stamp 5
Stamp 5 is a permission to stay in Ireland without condition as to time. This rare Stamp is given to individuals who have resided in Ireland legally for at least eight years.
Stamp 6
Indicates a person with a dual citizenship. Stamp 6 may be added to the non-Irish passport.