Visa Categories in Ireland
| Visa Category | Purpose | Short Description |
| Short Stay (C) | The Irish Visit | Explore Ireland for up to 90 days. Perfect for a dream holiday, a quick business trip, or a long-overdue reunion with family and friends. |
| Long Stay (D) | Your New Chapter | Planning a future in Ireland? This is for stays longer than 3 months. Whether it’s for a new career, a degree, or a permanent move, this is where your journey begins. |
| Work Permits | The Career Move | Open doors to Ireland’s thriving economy. From Critical Skills for tech and healthcare pros to General Permits, we help you turn a job offer into a reality. |
| Study Visa | The Academic Adventure | Unlock world-class education. Secure your right to study in Ireland’s top universities and gain the “Stamp 2” permission that lets you learn and work part-time. |
| Join Family | Home is Ireland | Don’t let borders keep you apart. We help you navigate the complex “Join Family” rules to bring your loved ones home to Ireland, safely and legally. |
| Business/STEP | The Visionary’s Entry | For the entrepreneurs and investors. Launch your high-potential startup or expand your business into the heart of Europe with dedicated support. |
Understand the Stamps
Stamp 1: The Professional
Who it’s for: People with a valid Work Permit.
The Power: This allows you to work for a specific employer. It’s the foundation for many people building a career in Ireland’s booming tech, medical, or engineering sectors.
Keep in mind: If you change jobs, you’ll usually need a new permit to keep this stamp active.
Stamp 1G: The Graduate & Spouse
Who it’s for: Recent graduates from Irish universities or spouses of Critical Skills permit holders.
The Power: It’s a “Green Light” to work. Graduates get time to find a career-track job, and spouses can work almost anywhere without needing their own separate work permit.
Who it’s for: Recent graduates from Irish universities or spouses of Critical Skills permit holders.
Stamp 2: The Student
Who it’s for: Full-time students in recognized English language or degree programs.
The Power: You get to live in Ireland and soak up world-class education.
The Perks: You can work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) during term time and full-time (40 hours) during holidays to help fund your adventure.
Stamp 3: The Resident (Non-Working)
Who it’s for: Volunteers, retirees, or dependents of some work permit holders.
The Power: It allows you to live and belong in the community.
The Catch: You cannot work or engage in business under this stamp. It’s strictly for residency.
Stamp 4: The “Gold Standard”
- Who it’s for: People who have finished 2 years on a Critical Skills permit, spouses of Irish citizens, or those with refugee status.
- The Power: Total freedom. You can work in any job, start your own business, and you no longer need a Work Permit. It is the final step before applying for Citizenship.
Stamp 0: The Temporary Stay
Who it’s for: People with independent means (retirees) or specific temporary consultants.
The Power: A short-term or specific permission for those who don’t intend to be a burden on the state and are self-sufficient.
Stamp 5: Without Condition As To Time (WCATT)
Grants indefinite permission to live in Ireland without time limits on residency, typically after 8 years (96 months) of legal residence on qualifying stamps (e.g., Stamp 1, 4).
Allows you to work without needing an employment permit and access most public services, though it does not automatically entitle you to all state benefits.
Counts as reckonable residence for Irish citizenship applications and is valid until your passport expires (no periodic renewal required).
Stamp 6: Dual Irish Citizenship
Indicates that you hold Irish citizenship alongside another nationality, stamped in a foreign passport for dual citizens.
Provides unlimited permission to live, work, and reside in Ireland without any immigration restrictions or need for permits.
Granted after acquiring Irish citizenship; it essentially exempts you from standard immigration controls as an Irish national.
Quick Overview of some critical Stamps
| Stamp | Can You Work? | Leading To… |
| Stamp 1 | Yes (Permit required) | Stamp 4 |
| Stamp 1G | Yes (No permit needed) | Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 |
| Stamp 2 | Part-time only | Stamp 1G (Post-grad) |
| Stamp 3 | No | Renewal or Change of Status |
| Stamp 4 | Yes (Full Freedom) | Citizenship |