Visa Procedure
In order to enter Ireland, you may need a visa. This does not apply for asylum applicants who can request asylum at the border.
Visa requirements can be checked here. A visit visa is valid for 90 days.
If a person wants to remain in Ireland for longer than a visit of 90 days, they must register with the Irish immigration authorities. This is either at the Irish immigration office or at the local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). You must bring the relevant documentation with you.
For people who have received a decision granting them refugee status, subsidiary protection status or humanitarian leave to remain, they must bring this letter with them to register for a stamp 4.
The Irish immigration system operates through a series of stamps.
- Stamp 0: temporary and limited stay permission. This stamp entails no employment rights and the person must be able to financially support themselves.
- Stamp 1: Main stamp for employment permit holders.
- Stamp 1G: Stamp for non-EEA students who graduated from an Irish higher education institute to remain and work in Ireland for a limited period (1-2 years).
- Stamp 2: Stamp for full time students, including language students. It allows students to work part-time (up to 20 hours) during term time and full-time (up to 40 hours) during holidays.
- Stamp 2A: For students in non-degree or short-term courses. There are no employment rights.
- Stamp 3: For non-EEA nationals who are dependents or partners of other stamp holders. They may be eligible to work and will be given a Stamp 1G if so.
- Stamp 4: This stamp is issued for long-term residence and family reunification. It allows the holder to work and access many of the same rights and entitlements as Irish citizens. It is often issued to spouses of Irish citizens, recognized refugees, and those who have resided in Ireland for long periods.
- Stamp 5: Permanent residency status, and the person has indefinite permission to remain in Ireland and access to employment. It is issued after 8 years of residence in Ireland.
- Stamp 6: This is a proof of Irish citizenship stamp for individuals who have dual citizenship or who recently acquired Irish citizenship.
Please see www.irishimmigration.ie for more up to date information.
Employment Permits
Employment permit applications are made to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Either the employee or the employer can apply for an employment permit.
There are different types of employment permits. The main two are:
- General Employment Permit
- Critical Skills Employment Permit.
If you previously had an employment permit but then became undocumented, you may be able to apply for a ‘Reactivation Employment Permit’. More information about this permit can be found here.
Ireland has recently introduced a new Seasonal Workers Employment Permit, which will come into effect in 2025. This is primarily for workers in the agriculture sector.
Further details on employment permits, including eligibility and requirements, can be found here. Please note that if you are outside of Ireland and you have received an employment permit, you may also have to apply for a visa to enter Ireland. This is a separate process to the employment permit process.