Once in Ireland any non – EU national must register with their local Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB. If you are to live in the Dublin metropolitan area registration will be with INIS at the Department of Justice. The registration entails having your bio – data taken, and documents checked. You will be issued with the correct stamp in your passport and an Irish Residency Permit, IRP card. This card/ stamp is issued by the GNIB for a stated period and is renewable. Appointments in Dublin must be booked, outside Dublin are usually booked with the local Garda Station handling immigration matters. Our Great post-arrival services can help.

The stamp given depends on your status in Ireland, please see below the usual stamp types we deal with:

The Stamp 1

  • Employment Permit Holders are issued with a Stamp 1 – This stamp indicates permission to work in Ireland. It is also used to facilitate those operating a business in Ireland.
  • If you have held a CSEP for 2 years (and adhered to the conditions of the original permit grant) you will move to a Stamp 4, which allows work and residence in Ireland. The Stamp for also facilitates those who have held an employment permit for 5 years or researchers who have been on a hosting agreement for 2 years.

The Stamp 1A

  • If you have permission for full time, paid accountancy training (with a named organisation such as CPA Ireland, ICAI or regulated by the IAASA and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland) for a specified period, you will be issued with a Stamp 1A.

The Stamp 1G

  • The Spouse / de facto partner/ civil partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a Researcher in the State on a Hosting Agreement will be issued with a Stamp 1G– it allows the holder to work in Ireland. 
  • The Stamp 1G is also issued under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, if you have finished your studies in Ireland and have permission to look for employment.

The Stamp 3

  • The Spouse / de facto partner/ civil partner/ qualifying children of a General Employment Permit Holder and Contract for Service Provider Permit (once held for 1 year) or an ICT (immediate entry permitted) are issued with a Stamp 3. This stamp allows residence in Ireland as a dependant of the permit holder. It is also used to facilitate volunteers and Ministers of Religion.

The Stamp 4

  • If you have held a CSEP for 2 years (and adhered to the conditions of the original permit grant) you will move to a Stamp 4, which allows work and residence in Ireland. The Stamp 4 also facilitates those who have held an employment permit for 5 years or researchers who have been on a hosting agreement for 2 years.
  • The Stamp 4 is also used to facilitate the spouses/ de facto partners and civil partners of Irish citizens. Those joining family under EU Treaty Rights or those on Stamp 4 EU FAM arrangements. Those on the Investor/ Entrepreneur Programme and qualifying family. Those on Long Term Residency.
  • There is also the Stamp 2 and 2A for full time students, the Stamp 5 indicating permission to stay in Ireland without limits, the Stamp 6 for Irish citizen with dual- citizenship.

We offer a service accompanying you (and your family) to the GNIB in Dublin to gain the registration or the registration renewal. If the family all attend same day only one attendance fee is paid. We are also happy to chat over any immigration questions you may have and give general guidance during this GNIB visit. Please contact us for further details.

Visa policy of Ireland