Other Irish Immigration Stamps

Discover the various Irish immigration stamps Stamp 0, 1, 1H, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, and 4D-designed for non-EEA nationals. Each stamp comes with specific conditions and permissions, determining rights to live, work, study, or conduct business in Ireland. Knowing the differences between these stamps helps individuals choose the right residency option, comply with legal requirements, and maximize opportunities during their stay in Ireland.

Table of Content:

Stamp 0

Stamp 0 grants permission to stay in Ireland temporarily, subject to specific conditions.

Summary of Conditions
Holders must be financially independent or have a sponsor in Ireland who is fully self-sufficient. They cannot access public benefits or services, such as treatment in a public hospital, and must maintain private medical insurance. Employment, business, trade, or professional activities are not allowed unless explicitly authorised by Immigration Service Delivery.

Examples of Use
Stamp 0 may be granted to individuals who:

Stamp 1

Stamp 1 grants permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to specific conditions. To obtain Stamp 1, you must hold a valid employment permit or a letter from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) confirming that you can work without an employment permit. The letter may also specify whether you are allowed to establish a business or be self-employed. Time spent on Stamp 1 counts as reckonable residence when applying for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.

Summary of Conditions
You cannot start employment unless you or your employer has a valid employment permit, or your ISD letter explicitly states that no permit is required.
If you do not hold an employment permit, you must not engage in business, trade, or professional activity unless authorised in writing by ISD.
To remain in Ireland beyond the expiry of your permission, you must apply to renew your registration and immigration permission before it expires.

Stamp 1H

Stamp 1H grants permission for doctors holding a two-year General Employment Permit to work as a Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) in any public hospital or healthcare facility in Ireland for the duration of their permit.
Employers must notify the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) of any changes in contract or work location before they occur. Time spent on Stamp 1H counts as reckonable residence when applying for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.

Summary of Conditions
Doctors initially hold a six-month contract with their hospital at the time of application or renewal.
Movement to a different hospital within the HSE group is allowed after the initial contract ends, provided valid contracts are in place and monitored by DETE.
Although issued as General Employment Permits, doctors granted Multi-Site Employment Permits enjoy similar benefits to Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, with applicable conditions extending to their spouses and family members.

Examples of Use
Stamp 1H is granted to doctors permitted to work as an NCHD under a two-year General Employment Permit in any public hospital or healthcare facility in Ireland.

Stamp 1A

The revised Immigration Rules for non-EEA Stamp 1A Trainee Accountants, effective 1st July 2019, have been published. Stamp 1A grants permission to undertake full-time, paid accountancy training in compliance with immigration rules, regulated by the IAASA, and under a training contract with an Irish-based company, for a specified period and subject to conditions.

Summary of Conditions:
You may not engage in any other business, trade, or profession unless authorised in a letter of permission from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
This is a time-limited permission, and your accountancy training must be completed within four years.
To remain in Ireland beyond the expiry of your Stamp 1A, you must apply to renew your permission and registration, or seek an alternative permission such as an employment permit.

Examples of Use
Stamp 1A is granted to individuals permitted to study accountancy as a trainee and work as a trainee accountant in Ireland.

Stamp 2

Stamp 2 grants permission to pursue a full-time course listed on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Time spent on Stamp 2 is not reckonable as residence for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.

Summary of Conditions
Students cannot access public benefits or services (e.g., public hospitals) unless entitled through other means.
Work is allowed in casual employment for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Engagement in any other business or trade is not permitted.
To stay in Ireland beyond the expiry of your permission (up to a maximum of seven years), you must renew your permission and registration before it expires.
English language students may only register for three courses of 25-week duration. To continue studying, they must move to a course listed on the ILEP.
Students can study in Ireland for a maximum of seven years.
Academic progression must be demonstrated each year, and English language students must maintain at least 85% attendance.
All Stamp 2 holders must:

Examples of Use
Stamp 2 may be issued to students pursuing:
English language courses
Higher National Diplomas
Undergraduate degrees
Postgraduate degrees (Master’s)
PhDs
Other eligible programmes listed on the ILEP

Stamp 2A

Stamp 2A grants permission to pursue full-time study in Ireland for courses not listed on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), for a specified period. Time on Stamp 2A is not reckonable as residence for Irish citizenship by naturalisation. In limited cases, Stamp 2A may also be issued to spouses of certain financially independent students.

Summary of Conditions
You cannot access public benefits or services, such as public hospitals, and must maintain private medical insurance.
Employment or engagement in any business, trade, or profession is not permitted.
To remain in Ireland beyond the expiry of your permission, you must renew your permission and registration before it expires.

Stamp 3

Stamp 3 grants permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Time spent on Stamp 3 is reckonable as residence for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.

Stamp 4D

Eligible non-EEA family members of UK citizens wishing to reside in Ireland after 01/01/2021 should refer to the Brexit policy document for further information.

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Discover Irish immigration stamps Stamp 0, 1, 1H, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, and 4D and their conditions, helping non-EEA nationals live, work, study, or do business in Ireland.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I come to Ireland to work?

Yes, you may be allowed to come to Ireland to work if you are currently outside the country. Before traveling, you should check whether you need immigration permission from the Department of Justice or an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). If you are from a visa-required country, you will also need to apply for a visa before your journey.

What are the ways I can work in Ireland?

To work in Ireland, non-EEA nationals generally need a valid employment permit or immigration permission. Key pathways include:

Employment Permit – Most common route. First-time applicants must apply while residing outside Ireland. You need the permit before applying for a visa (if required).
Atypical Working Scheme – Immigration permission issued by the Department of Justice for specific types of work.
Working Holiday Authorisation Programme – Allows young people from certain countries to fund an extended holiday through temporary work.
Trainee Accountant – For those taking up a position as a trainee accountant in Ireland.
Minister of Religion – Requires preclearance approval for all non-EEA nationals intending to work in a religious capacity.
Volunteering – Preclearance approval is required to volunteer with eligible organizations.
Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) – Enables you to establish and work full-time in your own business in Ireland.
Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) – For non-EEA nationals committing to an approved investment in Ireland. (Note: The programme closed on 15 February 2024.)

I am a non-EEA national working in another EU Member State. My employer wants me to work for them in Ireland. What do I need to know?

If you are legally employed by a company in another EU country, you may be allowed to provide services temporarily in Ireland for that employer without an employment permit. This is possible under the Van Der Elst process, which has specific conditions that must be met.

However, you must still comply with Irish immigration rules and may need a visa before traveling to Ireland.

I am a scientific researcher and want to come to Ireland to undertake research. What do I need to know?

You may be allowed to come to Ireland to carry out a research project with an accredited research institution under the Hosting Agreement Scheme. This scheme is part of the Scheme for Accreditation of Research Organisations.

The Hosting Agreement allows research stays ranging from 3 months to 5 years.
You do not need a separate employment permit under this scheme.
You must obtain a Hosting Agreement before applying for a visa (if required) and traveling to Ireland.

For detailed information on applying and accredited institutions, see the DETE Hosting Agreement Scheme.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland?

If you are a visa-required national, you must apply for a visa before traveling to Ireland. You can check whether you need a visa using the official visa guidance.

What type of visa should I apply for?

You can apply for all employment visa types up to 3 months before your planned travel to Ireland. It is recommended to apply as soon as your employment permit, hosting agreement, or immigration permission is granted to avoid delays.

Work Permits in Ireland

Immigration in Ireland