Republic of Ireland · residence general · Leads to settlement
Stamp 4 permission
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 4 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Long-term residence permission allowing unrestricted work in Ireland.
- Processing time
- Issued on registration if eligible.
- Government fees
- Registration fee €300.
- Typical duration
- Typically issued for 1–5 years at a time; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Stamp 4 permission for Republic of Ireland is an unsponsored Ireland immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Ireland government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/ireland/stamp-4#answer
What is the Stamp 4 permission in Republic of Ireland?
Stamp 4 permission is an unsponsored Ireland route. Indicative government fees are Registration fee €300; indicative processing time is Issued on registration if eligible; typical duration is Typically issued for 1–5 years at a time; renewable. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration Service Delivery on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Stamp 4 is not itself a visa but an immigration permission granted after qualifying routes — most commonly 2 years on a Critical Skills Employment Permit, or 5 years on General Employment Permit. It allows work without a permit and is a step toward citizenship after 5 years of reckonable residence.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian Stamp 4 transitions are most commonly reached via Critical Skills Employment Permit (2 years) rather than General…
Filipino applicants
Filipino Stamp 4 holders are concentrated in HSE-employed healthcare roles, typically transitioning from Critical Skills…
Nigerian applicants
Nigerian Stamp 4 transitions usually follow 5 years on General Employment Permit rather than Critical Skills (where the …
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓2 years on Critical Skills Employment Permit, or 5 years on General Employment Permit.Immigration Service Delivery (Dept. of Justice) ↗
- ✓Alternatively, spouse of Irish citizen or EEA national.
- ✓Good character and compliance history.Immigration Service Delivery (Dept. of Justice) ↗
Common blockers
- !Gaps in employment or non-compliance with permit terms.
Typical evidence
- ·Payslips covering qualifying period.Immigration Service Delivery (Dept. of Justice) ↗
- ·Proof of address and tax residency.
- ·Existing registration certificate.Immigration Service Delivery (Dept. of Justice) ↗
Application pathway
Complete qualifying period
Fulfil the 2 or 5-year qualifying residence on a prior permit.
Apply for Stamp 4
Submit application to ISD with evidence of continuous lawful residence and employment.
Renew periodically and count toward citizenship
Stamp 4 can be renewed; reckonable residence counts toward naturalisation after 5 years.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantRegister immigration permission ↗
Use this official guidance to register or renew the Stamp 4 permission after approval.
Immigration Service Delivery · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: Registration fee €300.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Stamp 4 lead to Irish citizenship?+
Time on Stamp 4 can count toward the 5-year reckonable residence requirement for naturalisation, provided all other conditions are met (good character, intent to continue residing in Ireland, etc.).
How long until I can get Stamp 4 long-term residence, and does it differ by permit?+
Yes, the qualifying period differs by route: most commonly 2 years on a Critical Skills Employment Permit, versus 5 years on a General Employment Permit, before you can move to Stamp 4. Gaps in employment or non-compliance with permit terms can block the application.
Can I change employer freely once I have Stamp 4 in Ireland?+
Yes. Stamp 4 permission allows you to work without an employment permit, so you are not tied to a specific sponsoring employer. It is most commonly reached after 2 years on a Critical Skills Employment Permit or 5 years on a General Employment Permit.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in IrelandHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Immigration Service Delivery
Last checked: 1 June 2026