Stamp 1G Ireland
If you are an international student who finished studies in Ireland, you may be given Stamp 1G if you have permission to look for work there under the Third Level Graduate Programme. Find out more about who is eligible for Stamp 1G.
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Page Contents
- What is Stamp 1G?
- Eligibility Requirements for Stamp 1G
- Required Documents for Ireland Stamp 1G
- How to Apply for Stamp 1G?
- Stamp 1G Application Cost and Processing Time
- Validity of Stamp 1G in Ireland
- How to Extend Stamp 1G?
- What are my rights if I have Stamp 1G in Ireland?
- How can IAS help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stamp 1G in Ireland?
Stamp 1G is an Irish immigration permission granted mainly to non-EU/EEA graduates of Irish higher education institutions under the Third Level Graduate Programme. It allows international students who have completed an eligible degree in Ireland to remain in the country after graduation to seek employment or gain work experience.
It is mainly granted to:
- International graduates who completed a recognised Irish degree (Level 8 or Level 9).
- Spouses/partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders.
- Certain researchers under hosting agreements.
Stamp 1G, also referred to as the stay-back visa, is a programme intended for international students who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised Irish awarding body. Those who get Stamp 1G have the right to remain in Ireland after their studies and work full-time.
Those who have an award at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications can get twelve-month permission to a maximum of seven years’ student permission. The majority of those who qualify for it are undergraduate students.
Those who have an award at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications can get permission for twenty-four months to a maximum of eight years student permission. The majority of those who qualify for it are master’s and PhD students.
It is worth noting that those who are eligible for the twenty-four months permission initially receive one for twelve months. After this period they can renew it for an additional period of twelve months if they can prove that they have been undertaking steps to seek suitable graduate-level employment. Examples of such activities include attending job interviews or getting help from employment agencies.
Eligibility Requirements for Stamp 1G Ireland
To be able to get Stamp 1G, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a current Stamp 2
- Have an up-to-date immigration registration card
- Submit their application within 6 months of obtaining their degree
- Not have exceeded the seven-year limit to remain in Ireland as a non-EEA student
Additional rules surrounding Stamp 1G are:
- Graduates are not allowed to access the Third Level Graduate Programme on more than two separate occasions
- Graduates who achieve level 8 or level 9 award and who have previously obtained Stamp 1G can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme again as long as they have not exceeded the 8-year limit to remain in Ireland
- Those whose permission to remain in Ireland has lapsed are not allowed to apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme
- Graduates who obtained Stamp 1G can be hired to work for up to 40 hours per week
If you are an international student who is in Ireland on Stamp 2 and you are wondering whether you qualify for Stamp 1G, get in touch with our lawyers. They will assess your circumstances and determine whether you meet the requirements to apply for it.
Required Documents for Ireland Stamp 1G
Typical documents needed for Stamp 1G application in ireland:
- Valid passport
- Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card showing Stamp 2 student permission
- Statement of Final Results or proof of graduation from your university
- Private medical insurance in Ireland (minimum hospital cover)
- Proof of qualification (Level 8/9 degree)
These documents are uploaded during the online immigration application process.
Sometimes additional documents may be requested such as:
- Graduation letter from university
- Proof of address in Ireland
How to Apply for Stamp 1G in Ireland?
Non-EEA students who are in Ireland on Stamp 2 must apply for Stamp 1G through the online renewal portal. There, they must submit copies of the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Irish Residence Permit card confirming their Stamp 2 permission
- Statement of Final Results
- Proof of having private medical insurance that they purchased in Ireland and that has a minimum coverage of €25,000 for in-hospital treatment
To proceed with their Stamp 1G application, they need to pay a €300 registration fee. The processing of applications for Stamp 1G typically takes between 3 to 5 weeks.
Those whose application is successful, are issued a new Irish Residence Permit card confirming their new Stamp 1G permission. Cards are sent to the address applicants provide in the application.
Applications for Stamp 1G cannot be made from outside of Ireland.
The typical steps of Stamp 1G application include:
- Complete your eligible degree from a recognised Irish institution.
- Receive final academic results or confirmation of your award.
- Create or log in to your account on the Irish Immigration Service (ISD) online portal.
- Select “Registration Renewal / Permission to Remain.”
- Choose Stamp 1G under the immigration permission category.
- Upload the required documents (passport, IRP card, academic results, insurance).
- Pay the registration fee online.
- Submit the application and wait for approval.
- Once approved, a new IRP card with Stamp 1G is posted to your address.
Stamp 1G Application Cost and Processing Time
The application for Stamp 1G requires a registration fee of €300 , which must be paid during the online application process. This fee covers the registration of the new immigration permission and the issuance of a new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. The fee is standard for most Irish immigration stamps and must be paid for each registration or renewal.
Processing times for Stamp 1G applications generally range from 3 to 5 weeks, although it may take longer during busy periods or if additional documentation is required. Once the application is approved, the IRP card confirming Stamp 1G permission is typically delivered by post within 10–15 working days.
Validity of Stamp 1G in Ireland
| Qualification | Duration |
|---|---|
| Level 8 (Bachelor’s) | Up to 12 months |
| Level 9 (Master’s/PhD) | Up to 24 months |
During this period you can search for a job that qualifies for a work permit.
Stamp 1G Extension in Ireland
International students who graduated with an award at level 9 can extend their Stamp 1G to remain in Ireland for twenty-four months.
Initially, they are granted their Stamp 1G for 12 months but, after this period of time, they can apply to renew it for another 12 months.
Just like when submitting a first-time application, those who want to get a stamp renewal must apply through the online renewal portal. To qualify for the renewal, they must convince the immigration authorities that they have been undertaking steps to find suitable graduate-level employment.
They can prove it by demonstrating that they, for example, have been going to job interviews, submitting job applications online, or scheduling appointments with employment agencies.
What are my rights if I have Stamp 1G in Ireland?
Those who successfully obtain their Stamp 1G have the right to stay in Ireland after completing their studies and seek employment.
They can live in Ireland for a specific period of time, which typically is twelve months but can sometimes be extended to twenty-four months. During this period they have the right to work on a full-time or part-time basis without the need for an employment permit.
The time foreign citizens spend in Ireland on Stamp 1G counts towards reckonable residence in the state. After residing in Ireland with Stamp 1G for a qualifying period of time, foreign nationals can apply for Stamp 4 which is issued for 2 years but can be renewed if the applicant meets the necessary criteria. Then, after being legally resident in Ireland for 5 years with Stamp 4, foreign citizens can apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.
When living in Ireland with Stamp 1G, foreign citizens cannot access any public services or public funding. This means that they cannot use the public healthcare system and must hold private medical insurance.
How can IAS help with Stamp 1G visa in Ireland?
Understanding the conditions of different Irish immigration stamps can be complicated if you do not have legal knowledge. Luckily, our consultants can explain to you what the eligibility requirements for each of the stamps are. And, depending on which stamp you have, they tell you what you can and cannot do while in Ireland.
Our immigration consultants can assess your eligibility for Stamp 1G and can guide you through the application process. Thanks to their help the process of getting your new immigration permission will be straightforward.
If you wish to renew your Stamp 1G for an additional period of twelve months, IAS can offer expert advice on how you can do it. We can ensure that you provide all the information and documents necessary for you to be able to stay in Ireland longer, the same as an immigration lawyer.
Call us today on (+353) 061 518 025 for more information about the services we offer.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on April 2nd, 2026 at 11:10 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. One of the main benefits of Stamp 1G is that it allows graduates to work in Ireland without needing an employment permit. Holders can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) in accordance with Irish employment law while they look for long-term job opportunities.
However, there are some limitations. Stamp 1G holders cannot be self-employed or run their own business, and they must maintain valid immigration permission and comply with Irish employment regulations.
Reckonable residence means the time that holders of various Long Term D Visas spent in Ireland that counts towards their eligibility for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.
Not all Stamps count towards citizenship but Stamp 1G does. After living in Ireland for a while with Stamp 1G, foreign citizens can get Stamp 4. Then, after being legally resident in Ireland for at least 5 years, they can apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.
Other immigration stamps that count towards citizenship are:
The time that foreign citizens spend in Ireland on Short Stay C visas such as the Visitor Visa does not count towards citizenship.
If you are not sure how to calculate your reckonable residence in Ireland, get in touch with our lawyers. They will review your immigration history in Ireland and will tell you whether you qualify to apply for Irish citizenship.
Holders of Stamp 1G have the right to work in Ireland either part-time or full-time without having to obtain an employment permit. However, if working full-time, they can work for up to 40 hours a week. Unfortunately, if you are in Ireland on Stamp 1G, you are not allowed to work for more than 40 hours.
Stamp 4 is typically issued to those who come to Ireland on Long Stay D Visas. It grants foreign citizens the right to stay in Ireland for a specified period, which is 2 years at first but can be renewed if the applicant satisfies the criteria. After having lived in Ireland with Stamp 4 for at least 5 years, foreign citizens can apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.
Holders of Stamp 4 have the right to take up employment without having to obtain an employment permit. They can also establish and operate their own business.
Both Stamp 2 and Stamp 2A are granted to international students who come to Ireland to complete a study course.
Stamp 2 allows foreign citizens to take a full-time course included on the official Interim List of Eligible Programs. Those who get Stamp 2 have the right to work part-time (for up to 20 hours per week) during study semesters and full-time (for up to 40 hours) during holiday periods. Examples of courses that qualify international students for Stamp 2 are undergraduate and master’s degrees, PhDs, or English language courses.
Stamp 2A, on the other hand, is granted to international students coming to Ireland to complete a study course which is not included on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes. These courses are typically shorter than the ones that qualify for Stamp 2. Those who come to Ireland on Stamp 2A are not allowed to work alongside their studies.
