Ireland Stamp 3 Permission
Stamp 3 is a Stamp issued to people not from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who want to stay in Ireland as volunteers or religious ministers.
At Immigration Advice Service, our experienced immigration team can help you with your Stamp application and advise you on the best way to meet the requirements for Stamp permission. Contact us on (+353) 061 518 025 or online to arrange a consultation.
Page Contents
- What is Stamp 3?
- Who can Apply?
- Summary of Stamp Conditions
- What Stamp 3 Can and Can’t Be Used For
- How to Apply for Stamp 3
- Required Documents for Stamp Permission
- What is the Processing Time?
- Conditions for Renewing Stamp Permission
- Volunteer Work Ireland
- The Other Types of Irish Immigration Stamps
- How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
What is Stamp 3?
Stamp 3 is a Stamp issued to people not from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who want to stay in Ireland as volunteers for non-profit organisations, religious ministers or foreign nationals who are spouses, civil partners, de facto partners, or dependent children of Stamp holders.
In order to get Stamp 3 Permission, you must first apply for a passport from your home country. Once you have your passport, you then need to fill out an application form and submit it to the Irish embassy or your local immigration office.
After your application has been processed, you will be issued a Stamp 3 Permission, allowing you to stay in Ireland for a specified period.
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Who can Apply?
To be eligible for Stamp 3 permission, you must:
- Be aged 18 years or over.
- Not have any previous convictions in Ireland or abroad.
- Be of good character.
- Not be a threat to national security.
- Have a valid passport or other travel documents.
- Have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland.
- Intend to leave the country at the end of your permission to stay.
- Show proof of your volunteer or religious work.
Summary of Stamp Conditions
Stamp 3 permit comes with certain conditions, which you must adhere to during your stay in Ireland. These conditions are:
- You must not take paid employment or set up a business in Ireland. And if you were to be employed, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) would have to grant you a work permit.
- You must not register as unemployed with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
- You must not enter into any formal study in an Irish university or training programme unless it is part of your volunteer placement.
- You can only stay in Ireland for the period of time that is stated on your Stamp Permission. And if you plan to extend your stay, then you must renew your Stamp Permission before it expires.
What Stamp 3 Can and Can't Be Used For
Once you have Stamp 3 Permission, you can:
- Live and work in Ireland as a volunteer for a non-profit organisation or as a religious minister.
- Enter and leave the country freely.
- Apply for an extension of your permission to stay.
What the Stamp Can’t Be Used For
You cannot use Stamp 3 Permission to:
- Work in Ireland unless you have a work permit.
- Study in Ireland, unless it is part of your volunteer placement.
- Set up a business in Ireland.
- Invite your family member to Ireland.
How to Apply for Stamp 3
Here are the steps on how to apply for Stamp Permission:
Step One: Fill out the Stamp Permission application form
If you have your passport, then you need to fill out a Stamp Permission application form. This form is available on the INIS website. While applying online is the preferred method, you can also apply by post.
Step Two: Organise your Documents and Pay the Fees
When applying for Stamp 3 Permission, you will need to submit documents such as a passport and proof of your volunteer or religious work. You will also need to pay the specified fee.
Step Three: Submit your application
After you have gathered all the required documents and paid the fees, you can then submit your Stamp Permission application form. You can submit your application online or by post.
Step Four: Wait for a decision
After you have submitted your application, you will need to wait for a decision. The processing time for Stamp Permission applications can vary, but it usually takes around eight weeks.
Required Documents for Stamp Permission
When applying for Stamp 3 Permission, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A passport or other travel document.
- Proof of your volunteer or religious work. This should be in the form of a letter from your organisation or church.
- Proof of enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland. This could be in the form of bank statements or payslips.
- A Stamp 3 Permission application form. This is available on the INIS website.
- Preclearance fee. This you should get after paying online.
- Police clearance.
What is the Processing Time?
The processing time for Stamp Permission applications can vary, but it usually takes around eight weeks.
Conditions for Renewing Stamp Permission
Your Stamp Permission is valid for the period of time that is stated on your permission. If you want to extend your stay in Ireland, you must renew your Stamp Permission before it expires. To renew your Stamp Permission, you must:
- Fill out a Stamp 3 renewal application form. This is available on the INIS website.
- Submit the required documents. These include your passport, proof of your volunteer or religious work, and proof of enough money to support yourself during your stay in Ireland.
Volunteer Work Ireland
If you would like to volunteer in Ireland, you need to get a Scheme Permission. Scheme Permission allows you to stay in Ireland for up to 2 years with another year for renewal. To be eligible for Scheme Permission, you must first get a visa.
You can apply for a visa by going to the Irish embassy or consulate in your home country. The type of visa you need will depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay in Ireland.
Stamp 3 Permission allows you to stay in Ireland for the purpose of volunteering with an organisation or undertaking work of a religious nature. However, this permission does not allow you to take paid employment nor entitle you to any social welfare benefits.
You can not also apply for this Scheme Permission if you are:
- Planning to work on a paid job of any kind.
- Planning to bring family members to Ireland.
- Planning to change your immigration status while still in Ireland.
- Planning to benefit from publicly funded services such as social welfare or healthcare.
Information on applying
The application procedure for the volunteer scheme permit is in three steps, Application form, Documents submission, and Visa approval.
The application form must be completed online. After the application has been made online, you will need to print out the biometrics page and take it to your nearest visa application centre along with your supporting documents and passport.
You will also need to pay the visa fee. After your application has been processed, you will be notified of the decision. If your application is successful, you will be granted Stamp Permission.
This permission allows you to stay in Ireland for the period of time that is stated on your permission. If you want to extend your stay in Ireland, you must renew your Stamp Permission before it expires.
The Other Types of Irish Immigration Stamps
Overview
In addition to Stamp 3 Permission, there are other types of immigration stamps that you can get when coming to Ireland.
Stamp 0
Stamp 0 is a type of permit that allows you to stay in Ireland for a temporary period of time. It allows persons of independent financial means, visiting academics, and persons seeking medical, elderly, and dependent relatives to stay in Ireland.
Holders of this permit are not allowed to benefit from any publicly funded services. They are also not allowed to engage in any business or work during their stay.
Stamp 1
The Stamp is divided into three phases, Stamp 1, Stamp 1A and Stamp 1G.
Stamp 1 is for those who want to work or operate a business in Ireland. The holders are allowed to work full-time and can also access public services, such as healthcare.
One thing about this Stamp is that it is not renewable and the holder is expected to leave the state once the Stamp expires.
Stamp 1A is for those interested in participating in paid accountancy training. The holder is not allowed to work during the period of their Stamp unless Irish Immigration Service (ISD) grants permission.
The Stamp is valid for a maximum of four years or the duration of the training program, whichever is shorter. After completing the program, the holder may apply for a valid employment permit or renew their Stamp.
Stamp 1G is for those who have finished their studies in Ireland and wish to get employment under the Third Level Graduate Programme. The permit is valid for 12 months unless you have done your master’s study, which adds an additional 12 months.
If you want to keep working after your Stamp 1G expires, you must apply for a work permit before your Stamp expires. Then, follow the usual application process with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment for the permit.
Stamp 2
The Stamp is divided into two phases Stamp 2 and Stamp 2A.
Stamp 2 is an Irish permit for international students who want to study courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The conditions of the Stamp 2 are that:
- The holder must not work more than 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during scheduled college breaks.
- You must not do any other business or trade.
- You must renew your permission and registration before it expires if you want to stay in Ireland beyond the expiry date of your immigration permission.
Stamp 2A, on the other hand, is a permit for international students who want to study courses not listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The conditions of Stamp 2A are as follows:
- You must not do any other business or trade.
- Your permission to remain in Ireland will be linked to the duration of your course. You cannot extend your permission to stay in Ireland unless you apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.
- You can’t enjoy benefits or access publicly funded services.
- You must hold private medical insurance.
- You must comply with immigration rules.
Stamp 4
Stamp 4 is for highly skilled workers who have been offered a job in Ireland that meets the criteria set out by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI). The Stamp provides permission for family members to join:
- A member who is a recognised refugee/has been granted subsidiary protection; or
- A spouse/civil partner; or
- Their minor child who is an Irish citizen.
Stamp 5
Permission to stay in Ireland without change to conditions in Ireland’s time. The Stamp 5 is only available to those who have completed 8 years of legal residency in Ireland.
Stamp 6
Stamp 6 is a special permit given to an Irish citizen with dual citizenship. It also has a Without Condition As To Time’ (WCATT) status, which means that the holder can stay in Ireland for an unlimited amount of time and they can access state funds.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
If you need help with any Stamp application, our advisors at Immigration Advice Service can assist you. We have a team of Stamp application experts who can guide you through the process and help ensure that your application is successful, just the same as any immigration lawyer.
Here are some of the services that we offer:
- Free Stamp assessment.
- A comprehensive guide to the Stamp application process.
- Assistance with completing the required documentation.
- Advice on how to meet the eligibility criteria.
- Support throughout the application process.
For more information about our services, please contact us on (+353) 061 518 025 or online.
Last modified on August 15th, 2023 at 4:26 pm
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