In the first of a two-part series, learn more about the residency stamps issued to immigrants in Ireland - and what each one means for you

There are several types of residency stamp issued to immigrants in Ireland, numbered from Stamp 0 to Stamp 6. Each one indicates a type of permission, including the activities you may and may not do in Ireland, and the time period you are allowed to stay. For example, permission to study a degree in Ireland – as well as other types of study – is indicated by Stamp 2 or 2A.

You must be familiar with your stamp and the conditions that apply to it. If you break these conditions, you may have to leave the country.

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.

Stamp 0

Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, subject to conditions.

You must be of independent means, ie fully financially self-sufficient. Alternatively, your sponsor in Ireland must be of independent means and can support you fully.

You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services (eg be treated at a public hospital). You must have private medical insurance.

You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS).

You may be given Stamp 0 if you have permission to:

- Retire to or live in Ireland as a person of independent means.

- Be a visiting academic at an Irish university or college.

- Live in Ireland as the elderly, dependent relative of a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.

- Extend a short-term visit here due to exceptional humanitarian circumstances.

- Work here for an overseas company to carry out a specific task for a limited time.

Stamp 1

Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to conditions. Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

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 the 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.

You may be given Stamp 1 if you have permission to:

- Work here based on an employment permit,

- Operate a business here,

- Work here based on a Working Holiday Authorisation.

Stamp 1A

Stamp 1A indicates permission for full time, paid accountancy training (with a named organisation regulated by the IAASA) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 1A is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

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.

You may be given Stamp 1A if you have permission to:

- Study accountancy as a trainee and be employed as a trainee accountant.

Stamp 1G

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.

You can work for a maximum of 40 hours per week. 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. Your other permissions and conditions remain the same as for Stamp 2/2A.

You may be given Stamp 1G if you have permission to:

- Look for work as part of the Third Level Graduate Programme.

Source: inis.gov.ie