Ireland Stamp 2 Permission
Are you an international student planning to study in Ireland? If so, you’ll need to apply for an Ireland Stamp 2. The Stamp is a permit that allows you to stay and study in the country for a set period of time.
At Immigration Advice Service, we can help you to apply for your Stamp 2 and ensure that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Get in touch with our team of professional immigration consultants today to find out more. Call us on (+353) 061 518 025 or find us online for assistance.
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What is Stamp 2?
Stamp 2 is an Irish permit for international students. It allows you to stay in Ireland for a specified period so that you can study at an Irish educational institution.
The Stamp was introduced in 2008 as a response to the growing number of international students coming to study in Ireland.
The stamp was introduced as a way of ensuring that international students had the right to remain in Ireland for their studies.
Stamp holders are typically required to leave the country at the end of their course or when their Stamp expires, whichever comes first. They are also required to meet and follow conditions set for Stamp 2 holders.
Summary of Stamp 2 Conditions
The most important condition you need to meet in order to get a Stamp is that you have been accepted onto a full-time course at an educational institution in Ireland.
The course must be listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) and you must have a letter from the institution confirming your place.
Other conditions include:
- You must have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland. This includes money for accommodation, food, and travel. This must be approved by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
- You must have private medical insurance that should cover you for the duration of your stay in Ireland. The insurer must also be approved by the Irish government.
- You must not have any criminal convictions.
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- You must be a citizen of a country that is outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.
- You must not intend to work full-time in Ireland.
- You must not be a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who is already living in Ireland.
- You must meet the Garda National Immigration Bureau’s (GNIB) registration conditions.
- You must have a valid passport or travel document.
Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP)
The Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) is a list of educational programs that are approved by the Irish government for Stamp permit purposes.
If you want to study in Ireland on a Stamp permit, your course must be listed on the ILEP. The ILEP is updated regularly, so it’s important to check that your course is still listed before you apply for a Stamp.
Some of the most popular courses that are currently listed on the ILEP include:
- English language courses.
- Business and management courses.
- Medical and healthcare courses.
- Engineering and technology courses.
- Computer science and IT courses.
How to Get Your Hands on Stamp 2
If you meet the Stamp conditions, then you can apply for a Stamp 2. For a successful application, you must complete the following steps:
Step 1: Get a letter of offer from an Irish educational institution
The first step is to get a letter of offer from an Irish university or any educational institution. The offer must be for a full-time course that lasts for at least one year.
Step 2: Complete the online application form and pay the fee.
Once you have your letter of offer, you can apply for your Stamp 2 online or through your local Irish embassy or consulate.
The online application process is quicker and cheaper, so we recommend that you apply online if you can.
The fee for Stamp 2 immigration permission is €300, which must be paid when you submit your application. You can pay the fee by credit or debit card or through a bank transfer. If
Step 3: Attend an interview at your local Irish embassy or consulate
After you have submitted your application, you may be asked to attend an interview at your local Irish embassy or consulate.
During the interview, you will be asked your questions about your application and your reasons for wanting to study in Ireland.
Step 4: Get your Stamp
If your application is successful, you will be issued with a Stamp. The Stamp will be placed in your passport, and it will allow you to enter Ireland and stay for the duration of your course.
What the Stamp 2 Can and Can't Be Used For
Once you have been issued with a Stamp 2, there are some restrictions on what you can do.
- Stamp holders are not allowed to work full-time in Ireland. This means that you can only work in casual employment for 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays.
- Stamp holders are also not allowed to bring their family members to live with them in Ireland.
- Stamp holders cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services such as public hospitals.
- If you want to extend your stay in Ireland after your course has finished, you will need to renew your permit for a maximum of seven years.
- Stamp holders are not allowed to apply for Irish citizenship or an Irish residence permit.
What can you do with Stamp?
Despite the restrictions, there are still many things that you can do with a Stamp.
As a Stamp holder, you can:
- Study at any educational institution that is listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
- Work part-time (up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays).
- Travel throughout the European Union as Stamp holders are automatically granted a Schengen visa.
- Bring your spouse or partner to live with you in Ireland as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Ireland Visa Stamp 2A
Like the Stamp 2, Stamp 2A is also a type of permit that allows you to study in Ireland.
The main difference between the two visas is that stamp 2A is for students who want to study courses that do not feature on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Stamp 2A holders are also not allowed to work in Ireland, among other immigration rules and conditions.
Summary of Conditions
To be eligible for a Stamp 2A, you must:
- Be over 18 years of age.
- Have been accepted onto a full-time course that lasts for at least one year.
- Have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland. This includes the cost of your course, as well as accommodation and living expenses.
- Be able to prove that you have enough money by showing a bank statement or letter from your sponsor.
- Have health insurance that covers you for the duration of your stay in Ireland.
- Meet the English language requirements of your chosen course.
- Not have any criminal convictions.
How to Apply for Stamp 2A
You can apply for Stamp 2A through your local Irish embassy or consulate. The online application process is quicker and cheaper, so we recommend that you apply online if you can.
The fee for a Stamp permit is €300, which must be paid when you submit your application. You can pay the fee by credit or debit card, or through a bank transfer.
If you are applying through your local Irish embassy or consulate. Here are the steps to follow:
- Gather all of the necessary documents, which include your passport, birth certificate, and proof of financial support.
- Schedule an appointment with the Irish embassy or consulate in your home country. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to fill out the application form and submit it, along with all of the required supporting documentation.
- After your application has been processed, you will be issued with a Stamp 2A visa. This visa will allow you to travel to Ireland and begin your studies.
Documents Needed for Stamp 2 Ireland
When applying for Stamp 2, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Your valid passport.
- A completed application form.
- Proof of financial support.
- Your birth certificate.
- Your educational qualifications.
- A letter of acceptance from your chosen educational institution in Ireland.
- If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide a signed letter of consent from your parent or guardian.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help You?
If you are looking to apply for Irish immigration stamp 2, the team at Immigration Advice Service can help.
We have a team of experienced Irish immigration consultants who can guide you through the process and ensure that your application is successful, just the same as an immigration lawyer.
Here are some of the services we offer:
- Free initial consultation to assess your case.
- A detailed assessment of your eligibility.
- Advice on the best way to proceed with your application.
- Drafting and submitting your application.
- Representation at your Stamp interview.
- Ongoing support and advice throughout the process.
If you would like to book a free consultation, please contact us today on (+353) 061 518 025 or find us online. Our team is on hand to answer any of your questions and provide expert advice.
Last modified on August 15th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reckonable residence is any period of time that counts towards one’s eligibility for citizenship by naturalisation. This can include time spent living in Ireland on Stamp 1, Stamp 1G, Stamp 3, Stamp 4, or Stamp 5. It also includes time spent living outside the country as an Irish citizen. The time is 1825 days when applying through naturalisation and 1095 days if applying as a spouse of an Irish citizen.
A dual-citizen is someone who holds citizenship in two countries. For example, an Irish-American dual-citizen would hold an American passport and an Irish passport.
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you do not need a Stamp to live and work in Ireland. If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you will need a Stamp to live and work in Ireland.
No, both stamp 2 and stamp 2A are not reckonable as residences. Meaning you are not eligible to apply for naturalisation as an Irish citizen.
There is no definitive answer, as Stamp holders are allowed to come and go as they please. However, if you are planning on being away for an extended period of time, it is advisable to apply for re-entry permission from the INIS before you leave.
Yes! You can move to Ireland without a job by getting a Stamp. The stamp will give you the right to live and work in Ireland for a set period of time. There are different types of immigration Stamps, but the most common is Stamp 0, which allows you to stay in Ireland for up to 90 days.