Right to Work Explained
In general, non-EEA nationals must have an employment permit to work in Ireland. These are outlined under the Employment Permits Act 2003-2014.
Each permit has a stamp where each stamp indicates the level of permissions around working in Ireland such as;
Activities you can and cannot do in Ireland
Time period you are allowed to stay in Ireland
Stamps & Conditions explained
Outlined below are the different types of stamps and the related conditions.
Stamp 0
Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, subject to conditions.
Summary of conditions
You must be of independent means, i.e. fully financially self-sufficient. Alternatively, your sponsor in Ireland must be of independent means and can support you fully.
You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services, e.g. be treated at a public hospital.
You must have private medical insurance.
You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
Stamp 1
Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to conditions. Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of Conditions
You must not start a job or enter employment unless you or your employer has obtained an employment permit for you.
If you do not have an employment permit you must not engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 1A
Stamp 1A indicates permission in full time, paid accountancy training and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions.
Summary of Conditions
You must not engage in any other business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 1G
1.) Graduate Student who currently holds a Stamp 2 or 2A permission
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.
Summary of employment conditions for graduates
You can work full time in accordance with employment law provisions, but are not permitted to operate a business or be self-employed.
If you wish to continue working after Stamp 1G expires, you must find a job that requires an employment permit and then follow the usual application process.
While on a Stamp 1G, your other permissions and conditions remain the same as for Stamp 2/2A.
2.) Spouse/ partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder
From the 6 March 2019 the Stamp 1G will also provide for the change in policy to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals, who are Spouses and partners of persons who are currently resident in this State, on Stamp 3 conditions, as the family member of a person resident in the State on the basis of a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Summary of employment conditions for spouses and partners of CSEP holders
Permitted to work in the State without the requirement to obtain a work permit
Not permitted to establish or operate a Business
Not permitted to be Self- Employed
Renewal of the Stamp 1G registration should be applied for annually, and after 5 years on a Stamp 1G, you may apply for a Stamp 4
Periods spent on Stamp 1G are considered as reckonable residence for the purpose of making an application for Citizenship/Naturalisation.
Stamp 2
Stamp 2 indicates permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 2 is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of conditions
You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services (e.g. public hospitals) unless you have an entitlement via other means.
You can work in casual employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during holidays. You must not engage in any other business or trade.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 2A
Stamp 2A indicates 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. Stamp 2A is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of conditions
You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services, e.g. public hospitals.
You must have private medical insurance.
You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 3
Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 3 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of conditions
You cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 4
Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 4 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
Summary of conditions
You can take up employment and are not required to hold an Employment Permit.
You can work in a profession, subject to conditions of the relevant professional or other bodies.
You can establish and operate a business.
You may access state funds and services as determined by Government departments or agencies.
If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
Stamp 5
Stamp 5 indicates permission to stay in Ireland without limits on the time you can remain here, subject to other conditions. Stamp 5 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.
The stamp will be valid up to the expiry date on your passport.
Stamp 6
Stamp 6 indicates you are an Irish citizen with dual-citizenship.
Documenting in People HR
When recruiting non-EEA nationals, it is vital that we obtain a copy of their right to work in Ireland. This should be a copy of the visa, front and back. This should then be uploaded and documented in People HR under the Employment Section, as seen below.
