In This Section
Introduction
Registering immigration permissions is how we record you have permission to stay in Ireland, how long you can stay, and what you can legally do while you are here. This is represented through an immigration ‘stamp’ placed in your passport when you register.
Please note that some permissions may not be entered in your passport, read more here. Please read below for more information and what you are required to do to apply for a change in your immigration permission.
Change in circumstances
Some people may need to change the type of immigration permission or stamp they have if their circumstances change. If you hold a valid permission, represented by a current Irish Residence Permit (IRP card) you may be able to apply to change either extend or vary your permission.
For example, if you have held a Critical Skills Employment Permit for at least two years, you may be able to apply for a different type of permission that offers greater benefits. If your permission is out of date, you cannot apply to change it. Submitting an application does not extend your current permission, so be sure to apply in plenty of time if you meet the criteria.
Each immigration stamp or permission requires different criteria and offers different conditions, for example, the ability to study or work or retire in Ireland. If your circumstances change while living in Ireland this may have an impact on your immigration permission and you must advise Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
Please read more here about what you should do when your circumstances change.
Please note that, if you are here on a visitor’s permission for up to 90 days or if you are here on foot of a Working Holiday Authorisation (on Stamp 1) you are not permitted to change your permission. You are required to leave the State on or before the expiry of your permission. It would remain open to you to apply for another permission from outside the State after your departure.
Criteria to change immigration permission
Change of Immigration Status from Stamp 1
| New Stamp | Criteria for changing immigration permission and receiving a new stamp. |
|---|---|
| Stamp 2 | If you wish to change your current permission to allow you to study in Ireland you can apply online. You will need to upload some documents to support your application, including an acceptance letter from the school/college, evidence of private medical insurance and financial resources. A full list of documentation is available here. |
| Stamp 3 | If you wish to change your current permission to that of a dependent of an Irish resident you must visit your local immigration office with that person to apply for a Stamp 3. A dependent means a spouse, civil partner or dependent child (between the age of 16 and 18). You can find more details here.
If you have been in a relationship similar to marriage (De Facto) with an Irish resident, and cohabiting with that person for at least two years, you may apply to ISD’s Domestic Residence Division for a change of Status to a Stamp 3. Details here. |
| Stamp 4 | If you have employment permits, residence permissions and stamps for the previous five (5) years, you may apply to your local immigration office for a Stamp 4 for one year. More details are available details here.
If you have employment permits and residence permissions and stamps for the previous 5 years you may apply to ISD for the Long Term Residence Scheme. Details here. If you become a spouse or civil partner of an Irish national who is resident in the State, you may attend at ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office with your Irish national spouse or civil partner to apply for a change of status to Stamp 4. Details here. If you have been in a relationship akin to marriage (De Facto) with an Irish national, and cohabiting with that person for at least two years, you may apply to ISD’s Domestic Residence Division for a change of status to a Stamp 4. Details here. If you become the parent of a child who is an Irish citizen, you may apply for a change of status. Details here. |
| Stamp 5 | If you have 96 months reckonable residence (that means you have had a series of permissions that added up to 96 months in the State and qualify as counting towards the time required to apply for citizenship) you may apply to Domestic Residence Division for a Stamp 5. Details here. |
| Stamp 6 | If you are granted citizenship, you may apply to Domestic Residence Division for stamp 6. Details here. |
Change of Immigration Status from Stamp 2
| New Stamp | Criteria for changing immigration permission and receiving a new stamp. |
|---|---|
| Stamp 1 | If you are issued with an Employment Permit by Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, you may apply for a Stamp 1. Details here. |
| Stamp 3 | If you wish to become registered as a dependent – either as a spouse, civil partner or dependent child (between the age of 16 and 18) – of an Irish resident please attend at GNIB, along with the Irish Resident, to apply for a change of status to Stamp 3. Details here.
If you have been in a relationship akin to marriage (De Facto) with an Irish Resident and cohabiting with that Irish Resident for at least two years you may apply to Residence Division for a change of Status to a Stamp 3. Details here. |
| Stamp 4 | If you become a Spouse or Civil Partner of an Irish National, who is resident in the State, you may attend at ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office with the Irish National to apply for your change of status to stamp 4. Details here.
If you have been in a relationship akin to marriage (De Facto) with an Irish National and cohabiting with that Irish National for at least two years you may apply to Residence Division for a change of Status to a Stamp 4. Details here. If you become the parent of an Irish Citizen Child you may attend at the ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office to apply for a change of status. Details here. You may apply to Residence division for a permission to remain in the State on basis of Parentage of an Irish Citizen Child – For Non-EEA. If your parent becomes an Irish citizen and you originally entered the State as a dependent of your parent and you are currently registered with ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office you may apply to Residence Division ISD for stamp 4. |
| Stamp 5 | Not possible from Stamp 2 |
| Stamp 6 | Not possible from Stamp 2 |
Change of Immigration Status from Stamp 3
| New Stamp | Criteria for changing immigration permission and receiving a new stamp. |
|---|---|
| Stamp 1 | If you are issued with an Employment Permit by Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment you can attend at ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office to apply for a Stamp 1. Details here. |
| Stamp 2 | If you wish become registered as a Student you must attend at ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office with student documents – an acceptance letter from the school/college, evidence of private medical insurance and evidence of finances. Details here. |
| Stamp 4 | If you become a Spouse or Civil Partner of an Irish National, who is resident in the State, you may attend at ISD Burgh Quay or your local immigration office with the Irish National to apply for your change of status to stamp 4. Details here.
If you have been in a relationship akin to marriage (De Facto) with an Irish National and cohabiting with that Irish National for at least two years you may apply to Residence Division for a change of Status to a Stamp 4. Details here. If you become the parent of an Irish Citizen Child you may attend at the GNIB office to apply for a change of status. Details here. You may apply to Residence division for a permission to remain in the State on basis of Parentage of an Irish Citizen Child – For Non-EEA. If you originally entered the State as a dependent of your parent and your parent has subsequently become an Irish Citizen, you may be eligible for a Stamp 4 permission. This applies to any child up to the age of 23 (if in full time education). If you currently hold a Stamp 3 permission, you can renew this permission under a Stamp 4. Residents of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick should apply online to renew their permission under Stamp 4 via the ISD Online Portal. Residents outside of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick should attend their local immigration office. You must provide proof of the relationship by providing the birth certificate of the child and the parent’s certificate of naturalisation or Irish passport. Please note that renewal of permission will incur a standard registration fee. |
| Stamp 5 | If you have 96 months reckonable residence you may apply to Residence Division for a Stamp 5. Details here. |
| Stamp 6 | If you are granted citizenship you may apply to Residence Division for stamp 6. Details here. |
Change of Immigration Status from Stamp 4
| New Stamp | Criteria for changing immigration permission and receiving a new stamp. |
|---|---|
| Stamp 1 | Not applicable |
| Stamp 2 | Not applicable |
| Stamp 3 | Not applicable |
| Stamp 5 | If you have 96 months reckonable residence you may apply to Residence Division for a Stamp 5. Details here. |
| Stamp 6 | If you are granted citizenship you may apply to Residence Division for stamp 6. Details here. |