The Irish stamp permission is issued to non-EU nationals who apply for long term residency status in Ireland. Each stamp indicates your immigration permission to reside in the State, confirming Activities you can do and period you are allowed to stay. The type of stamp you receive in your passport and stated on your Irish Resident Permit (IRP)

From Tuesday 1 March 2022, a new version of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is being introduced for all non-EEA nationals who are registered to live, work or study in Ireland.

Here are full list of stamp codes and for immigration purpose.

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

• 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 an Irish National, or a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.

Stamp 1 To obtain a stamp 1 permission, you must hold a valid employment permit, or a letter from ISD stating that you can work without an employment permit.

• 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 an Irish National, or a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.

Stamp 1H Stamp 1H indicates permission for doctors who are in receipt of a two year General Employment Permit to work as an NCHD (Non Consultant Hospital Doctor) in any public hospital or health care facility during the two year validity period of their permit.
Stamp 1A Stamp 1A indicates permission to participate in full time, paid accountancy training (in compliance with the immigration rules or regulated by the IAASA and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland) for a specified period, subject to conditions.

  • Study accountancy as a trainee & 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. Stamp 1G is granted for 12 months only, except for those who have completed a master’s degree programme, when a further 12 months can be provided subject to conditions. Stamp 1G may also be given to spouses or de facto partners of a CSEP holder or of researchers in the State on a Hosting Agreement. Stamp 1G allows the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain an employment permit.
Stamp 2 Permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. For example to study the following

  • English language
  • Higher national diploma
  • Degree (undergraduate)
  • Master’s degree (postgraduate)
  • PhD
  • Other.
Stamp 2A Permission for full time study in Ireland for a course that is not on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), for a specified period. For example

  • Semester abroad (that is at an Irish university/college)
  • Study at a private secondary school in Ireland
  • Spouse of financially independent student.
Stamp 3 Permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.  For example

  • Volunteer, for example with a charity or non-profit organisation
  • Be a minister of religion
  • Join your non-EEA/EU/Swiss spouse/civil partner or family member who is here based on a work permit.
Stamp 4 Permission issued to stay in Ireland for these purposes

  • With a valid Critical Skills Employment Permit for 2 years
  • With a valid employment permit for 5 years
  • As a researcher (with a valid Hosting Agreement) for 2 years.
  • To join and reside with your Irish spouse, civil partner or de-facto partner
  • As a convention or programme refugee, or based on subsidiary protection
  • To join your family member who is a recognised refugee or has been granted subsidiary protection
  • To remain with your child who is an Irish citizen
  • Under the Investor (Golden visa) and Entrepreneur Programme (including spouse/partner & eligible family member)
  • For Long Term Residence.
Stamp 4S Closed on 20 January 2019.
Stamp 4D Granted to eligible non-EEA family of UK citizens who are seeking to reside here after 01/01/2021 as per Brexit policy.
Stamp 5 Remain in Ireland ‘Without condition as to time’ (WCATT).
Stamp 6 Irish citizens with dual citizenship to remain in Ireland ‘Without condition’

Note: Ireland is a Member State of the European Union (EU) and, as such, it offers freedom of movement to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and certain family members.

Which stamps are eligible for Naturalization?

Only the following stamp permissions will be accepted as ‘reckonable’ residence under naturalization rules to apply for Irish citizenship.

  • Stamp 1
  • Stamp 2
  • Stamp 3
  • Stamp 4
  • Stamp 5

What is Reckonable residence and Legal Residence?

To apply for Irish citizenship, you must prove you have been legally resident in the state and built up reckonable residence Applicants will be required to reach a score of 150 points in each of the years proof of residency is required.

Legal residence – Prove that you have been legally resident in the State for at least 5 years out of the last 9 years. This includes 1 year of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.

Reckonable Residence – 1825 or 1826 days of reckonable residence based on your accumulated permission stamps. This includes 365 or 366 days (1 year) of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.