Ireland Visa Stamps 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ireland Visa Stamps are a great way to show that you have visited Ireland. They come in a variety of colors and are valid for up to 6 months from the date of issue.
If you are planning to visit Ireland soon, it is a good idea to get a visa stamp in advance.
Ireland is a country in the European Union. As part of the Schengen Area, Ireland has abolished border controls with other Schengen countries.
Citizens of most countries can travel to Ireland without a visa for up to 90 days.
Besides, Ireland’s economy continues to thrive. This makes it no surprise as the country is among the most popular destinations for immigrants who intend to work-study and live abroad.
Read on to explore more about Ireland visa stamps, including its types, requirements and conditions.
What does an Ireland visa stamp mean?
Ireland visa stamps are a way for visitors to prove they have entered the country legally. They are available at most ports of entry.
The stamps are affixed to your passport and allow you to travel to Ireland and return without having to present your visa again.
In addition, the Ireland visa can be used for a number of reasons, including tourism, business or educational purposes.
The visa stamps tracks the movements of the passport holder in Ireland.
Who needs Ireland visa?
You need to fulfill Ireland visa requirements for authorization to travel to the country if you’re a citizen of Nigeria, Congo, Iran, Albania, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Ghana, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Georgia, Moldova, Sri Lanka, Cuba, or Somalia.
However, the Irish visa stamp requirement is currently based on your nationality and whether or not you require a visa for entry into Ireland.
If you are travelling as part of an organized trip, such as a vacation, then you will likely not need to obtain visa stamps.
Types of Ireland visa stamps
If you plan to visit Ireland, be sure to get a visa stamp. The different types of Ireland visa stamps have different requirements and conditions.
Here are the different types of Ireland visa stamps:
#1. Ireland Visa Stamp 1
A stamp 1 Ireland visa is an immigration document that allows foreigners to enter and stay in Ireland for a specific period.
This document is typically issued to persons who wants to work or start a business in Ireland. In order to get a stamp 1 permission, you must have a valid work permit.
Alternatively, you can obtain a letter from the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS). This letter must state whether can set up a business or be self-employed in the country.
In addition, if you want to remain in Ireland after the expiry date of your immigration authorization, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Most importantly, you must have a private medical insurance coverage.
Stamp 1A
The Irish stamp 1A indicates permission to study or work full time in Ireland as a trainee accountant in agreement with the immigration rules including a training contract with a company based in Ireland for a specific period.
Conditions
- The passport holder must not engage in any other business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS).
However, this permission is a time bound permission. i.e you must complete your accountancy course within 4 years.
- If the passport holder wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of the immigration permission, he or she must apply to renew the permission before they expire, or apply for an employment permit.
Stamp 1G
The stamp 1G indicates permission to find a job after completion of studies in Ireland under the Third Level Graduate Programme.
More so, this stamp allows the passport holder to accept a job offer without the need to obtain an employment permit.
Conditions
- The passport holder can work full time in line with employment law requirements. However, you won’t be allowed to operate a business or be self-employed.
- If you want to continue working after the Irish visa stamp 1G expires, you must look for a job that requires an employment permit and then register with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE).
#2. Ireland Visa Stamp 2
The Ireland visa stamp 2 is an immigration document that allows international students take a full time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Conditions
- The student involved will not receive any social benefits or use publicly funded services e.g public health centers.
- You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during school breaks.
- Students must not engage in any other business or trade.
- If you wish to remain in Ireland after the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must renew your permission up to a maximum of 7 years before they expire.
- Each student must have private medical insurance coverage, since they won’t be allowed to access any public funded services.
If you are an English language student, you can only register three courses for 25 weeks.
Hence, you must show progression each year in your course and each student must have an attendance of at least 85%.
Stamp 2A
The Ireland visa stamp 2A is an immigration document that allows international students take a full time course not listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Conditions
- Each student must have private medical insurance coverage, since they can’t access any public funded services.
- Students must not engage in any other business or trade.
However, if you wish to remain in Ireland after the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must renew your permission before they expire.
#3. Ireland Visa Stamp 3
The Irish visa Stamp 3 allows a foreigner to stay in Ireland for a specific period. You will get the Irish visa stamp 3 if you enter the country through a volunteer visa and an Irish join family visa.
Condition
You must not work or engage in any work, business or trade unless you are have a valid work permit by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE).
However, if you wish to remain in Ireland after the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must renew your permission before they expire.
#4. Ireland Visa Stamp 4
You may obtain an Irish visa stamp 4 if you are given the permission to join your Irish spouse or civil partner.
In addition, you can join a family member who is a recognized refugee to remain with your child who is an Irish citizen.
Conditions
- You can work in Ireland but you are not required to hold an employment permit.
- In addition, you can establish and operate a business in Ireland. You also have access to state funds and services as determined by Government departments or agencies.
If you wish to remain in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stamp 1 and Stamp 4 in Ireland?
Irish visa stamp 1 are issued to people traveling to Ireland with authorization to work or run a business while stamp 4 is issued if you are given the permission to join your Irish spouse or civil partner.
Can you work on stamp 2?
You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours during school breaks.
Can you travel with Irish visa stamp 4 in Ireland?
Yes. However, keep in mind that there may be some restrictions on which countries you are able to visit.
Is it easy to get a permanent residency in Ireland?
Currently, it is easy to become a permanent resident in Ireland. The government offers various programs that allow foreigners to live and work in the country permanently.
However, some of the requirements for residency include a job offer from an Irish company and a clean criminal record.
Does stamp 1G count towards citizenship?
The Irish government has never explicitly stated that the visa stamp 1G automatically grants citizenship to those who hold it.
More so, they have not clarified what exactly qualifies someone who has an Irish visa stamp 1G.
How can I renew my Stamp 4 in Ireland?
If your Irish visa stamp 4 is about to expire, you can renew it online.
Head to stamp.ie and click on the “Renew Your Stamp 4” link on the homepage.
Next, follow the instructions and upload your documentation. Once your renewal is complete, you will receive an email notification.
Can your spouse work in Ireland with stamp 4?
Irish visa holders who are married to someone who is a visa stamp 4 holder can work in Ireland.
However, you need to have the appropriate visa and work permit.
How long will it take to get permanent residency in Ireland?
Irish citizens can apply for permanent residency after living in the country for 5 years.
The application process is long, and requires documentation from the individual, their employer, and authorities in their home country.
When can a Stamp 2 holder work full-time in Ireland?
In general, a person who has a Stamp 2 visa can work full-time in Ireland for 3 months.
The person must have a job offer from an Irish organization and have the appropriate documentation to support their stay.
Conclusion
In summary, there are interesting things to do in Ireland in as much as you have a valid Irish visa.
We hope that this article has helped you in knowing the type of Ireland visa stamps you need to enter Ireland in fulfilling a specific purpose.
