Stamp 1G FAQs | Stamp 3 Association

Change to immigration arrangements for spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders

On 6th March 2019, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and Charlie Flanagan TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, announced that the spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on Hosting Agreements will be able to access the Irish labour market without the need to obtain an employment permit.

Below, we outlined some of the most important facts in regard to this reform.

Frequently Asked Questions concerning revised immigration arrangements

You can access the full version of FAQs (PDF file, 8 pages), published on INIS website, by clicking the button below.

Download FAQs

Here we will provide the brief summary of the above document.

1. Who will benefit from the new scheme?

New scheme is for Spouses and De Facto Partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) Holders AND Researchers on Hosting Agreements OR Stamp 4 holders who used to have above permits before converting to Stamp 4.

2. Which stamp will I be granted instead of Stamp 3?

You will be granted Stamp 1G, which allows you to work on a full or part time basis without the need for an Employment Permit.

3. How I can get Stamp 1G?

To get Stamp 1G you need to attend local immigration office (in Dublin it means booking appointment in Burgh Quay office) together with spouse and bring a copy of the CSEP or Stamp 4 Support Letter issued after 2 years on a CSEP.

De facto partners of CSEP holders will be able to move to stamp 1G after new pre-clearance procedure.

4. What are my rights with the new stamp 1G?

YOU CAN:

Live in Ireland for a specified period (same as the permission period of the primary work permit holder);
Work on a full or part time basis without the need for an Employment Permit from DBEI;

YOU CANNOT:

Access any public services or public funding. You must hold private medical insurance;
Run a business on the basis of being self-employed.

5. Is the period on Stamp 1G counted towards citizenship?

Yes, you will have the periods of residence with Stamp 1G considered as reckonable residence in the State if you
choose to make an application for naturalisation or Long Term Residence.

6. Do I need to pay for new Stamp 1G?

If you have valid Irish Residence Permit card, there will be no charge. If your IRP is due for renewal the normal registration charge of €300 will apply.

7. When can I get Stamp 4?

Stamp 1G holders may apply for Stamp 4 after residing in a State for 5 years with Stamp 1G.

8. What is pre-clearance procedure for de facto partners?

Before travelling to the State to join their De Facto partner on a CSEP or Hosting Agreement, persons will need to apply for ‘Preclearance Letter of Approval’ from the Preclearance Section in Visa Division. Full information and the list of required documents is available HERE. In general, it means providing evidence of a genuine, long-term relationship, living with de facto partner as a family unit for at least 2 years prior to applying for this scheme.

9. Do I need to pay for pre-clearance procedure?

Yes, an administration fee of €100 will apply for applications made under this policy. If you are a visa required national a separate visa fee of €60 will also apply.

If you haven't found the answer to your question, please consider reviewing full FAQs document or contact INIS for further information.