Build Reckonable Residence
Accumulate 4 years of legal residence in Ireland
Migration Overseas
Ireland's equivalent of Permanent Residency. Live and work freely without employment permits, start your own business, and set your path to Irish citizenship and EU passport.
Stamp 4 gives you almost all the rights of an Irish citizen, except voting rights.
Work for any employer in Ireland without needing an employment permit. Change jobs freely without immigration paperwork. Full labor market access.
Become self-employed or start your own business in Ireland. No need for separate entrepreneur visa. Full commercial rights.
Bring your spouse and dependent children to Ireland. Family members can work and study. Secure family's future in Europe.
Access to Irish social welfare system including unemployment benefits, child benefits, and healthcare. Same entitlements as Irish citizens.
Children can attend Irish schools for free. Access to higher education at EU fee rates. Quality education system ranked among world's best.
After 5 years of legal residence (including Stamp 4), apply for Irish citizenship. Get EU passport with access to 27 EU countries.
Multiple routes to achieve Stamp 4 residence status in Ireland.
The fastest route to Stamp 4. Hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit for 2 years, then apply for Stamp 4 without any employer tie.
Standard work permit route. After 5 years of continuous legal employment, apply for Long Term Residence which grants Stamp 4.
Spouses and partners of Irish citizens can apply for Stamp 4 after their marriage/partnership is registered and they're living in Ireland.
Non-EEA parents of Irish citizen children can apply for residence permission under specific conditions.
After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Ireland on any qualifying stamp, apply for Long Term Residence which provides Stamp 4.
Study in Ireland, use post-study work visa to find employment, then progress through work permit to Stamp 4.
See how Stamp 4 compares to other Irish immigration stamps.
| Feature | Stamp 1 (Work Permit) | Stamp 2 (Student) | Stamp 4 (Residence) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Rights | Only for permit employer | 20 hrs/week limit | Any employer/self-employed |
| Change Employer | Needs new permit | N/A | Freely |
| Self-Employment | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Social Welfare | Limited access | No access | Full access |
| Spouse Work Rights | CSEP only | No | Yes |
| Path to Citizenship | Via Stamp 4 | Via Stamp 4 | Direct (5 years) |
| Renewal | Employer dependent | Course dependent | Usually 2 years (renewable) |
Irish citizenship gives you one of the world's most powerful passports - an EU passport with freedom to live, work, and study in 27 EU countries plus visa-free access to 180+ countries.
Accumulate 4 years of legal residence in Ireland
1 year continuous residence immediately before application
Apply to Minister for Justice, pay €175 + €950 fees
Receive certificate at citizenship ceremony
Documents and criteria for Stamp 4 application.
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