Ireland Stamp 1G
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.
Call us on (+353) 061 518 025 for immediate help and professional assistance with your situation. We are here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
What is Stamp 1G?
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.
"My application was approved and a huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders this year "
Akeel Lakar
Posted 5 years ago
"I'm very happy with the standard of training received on the OISC Level 1 course, i passed my exam. Thank you IAS"
Liam Calvert
Posted 5 years ago
"We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct."
Nabil Anwar
Posted 4 years ago
Who is eligible for Stamp 1G?
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.
How to apply for Stamp 1G?
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.
How to extend Stamp 1G?
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?
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.
Last modified on August 15th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Document Check Package
Document checking service that ensures your documents are sufficient to prove your eligibility.
The Advice Package
With our untimed Advice Session, our professional immigration experts will review your case and provide you with comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated caseworker will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your advisor will then complete and submit your forms to the Department of Justice & Equality on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our team and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Document Check Package
Our Document Checking Package is a service for those who need to submit their application but choose to do so on their own but want help with ensuring their documents are in line with the requirements for the visa. Our immigration consultants will check your documents in this case.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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:
- Stamp 1
- Stamp 3
- Stamp 4
- Stamp 5.
The time that foreign citizens spend in Ireland on Short Term 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.
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.