By Staff Reporter

The Department of Justice has launched a new stamp for students from non-EEA countries who are accessing the Third Level Graduate Scheme.

According to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), the new Stamp 1G introduced on 1 February for new applicants replaces the Stamp 2 status usually given to those in the programme, which allows legally resident third-level graduates from recognised institutions outside of Europe to remain in Ireland for the purposes of residence and seeking employment for a limited period.

Although there are no changes to the eligibility criteria for graduates availing of the scheme, the INIS says the new stamp has been introduced “for the purpose of greater clarity for both students and employers and to distinguish this group from other non-EEA students.”

The Stamp 1G categorisation – which is only available to qualifying students a single time – will also enable employers to more easily determine those who are entitled to work full-time under this scheme.

For the time being, Stamps 1G and 2 will be in use simultaneously until the later is phased out for use by graduates, thouugh it will continue to be issued to others as necessary. 

“Graduates with permission under the scheme with Stamp 2 are similarly entitled to work full time,” the INIS added. “They should also be able to produce to employers a transcript of their final results from the college in support of their entitlement.”

More information is available on page 16 of the Guidelines for Degree Programme Students available from the on the INIS website at tinyurl.com/3poua34