Stamp 4 Renewal
Foreign nationals living long term in Ireland must renew the immigration permission stamps on their residence permits before expiry, to continue lawfully residing in the country. In this article, we have discussed the renewal process for Stamp 4 permission holders.
For more information and guidance about the Stamp 4 renewal process in Ireland, what conditions you will have to meet, what supporting documents you must submit, and to receive professional advice from our team of immigration experts, call us today on +353 061 518 025.
Overview of Stamp 4 Renewal in Ireland
A non-EEA (i.e. the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), non-UK or non-Swiss national, who is staying in Ireland for more than 90 days, receives an immigration permission stamp on their passport and also on their Ireland Residence Permit (IRP) card.
The stamp on your passport/IRP card indicates how long you can lawfully stay in Ireland, and what activities you are allowed to perform while in the country. A Stamp 4 is usually valid for one year, and renewable annually, except for foreign nationals on investor visas where it can be renewed every three years.
You will have to renew your Stamp 4 permission to continue staying in Ireland before your current IRP card expires, and can do so if you continue meeting the original conditions of your initial permission.
In other words, there must be no change in your circumstances depending on which you were granted a Stamp 4 originally by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). If your circumstances change, you will have to make a new residence permit application depending on your current immigration situation in Ireland.
You will also have to submit certain supporting documents to renew your Stamp 4, which will vary depending on your immigration circumstances. Moreover, the renewal process itself will vary depending on where you are living in Ireland at the time of your renewal application, i.e. in Dublin or outside.
In this article, we will be discussing the necessary supporting documents for renewing Stamp 4 based on the conditions of your initial permission, and the Stamp 4 permission process depending on whether you are living in Dublin or outside.
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Stamp 4 Renewal Documents
Overview
The general documents every Stamp 4 permission holder will require for renewing their IRP cards include:
- Biometric page of their current valid passport, with their photo, date of birth and the passport number
- Both the front and back pages of their current IRP card
- Permission letter from the Department of Justice stating the conditions under which the original Stamp 4 permission was granted (where applicable)
- Proof of current address in Ireland, which should be the joint address for spouse, civil partner or de facto partner’s Stamp 4 renewal application
In addition to these general documents, you must submit certain specific documents along with your Stamp 4 renewal application, which will vary depending on the ground(s) based on which you were granted a Stamp 4 permission initially.
The specific documentation requirements for different categories are as follows.
Holding a Stamp 4 Support Letter from the DETE
Foreign nationals with a Stamp 4 Support letter from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) can renew their permission subject to the conditions provided for in the original letter of permission.
They must submit the Stamp 4 Support letter issued by the DETE along with their renewal application.
Spouse or Civil Partner of an Irish Citizen
- Biometric page of the Irish citizen spouse or civil partner’s current valid passport
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
Spouse, Civil Partner or De Facto Partner of a CSEP Holder
Spouses, civil partners or de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders, who have been holding a Stamp 1G permission for five years and are now seeking a Stamp 4, will need to submit the following documents:
- Biometric page of the CSEP holder spouse, civil partner or de facto partner’s current valid passport
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate, or proof of your continuing de facto partner relationship
Parent of an Irish Citizen Child
- Biometric page of their child’s current valid Irish passport
- Birth certificate of the Irish citizen child
- Proof of the Irish citizen child’s address in Ireland
De Facto Partner or Dependent Family Member of an Irish citizen
- Biometric page of their Irish citizen de facto partner or family member’s current valid passport
- Proof of their continuing de facto partner relationship, if applicable
Recognised Refugees, or People with Subsidiary Protection or Permission to Remain
- The Department of Justice letter with the decision on their International Protection application
- Declaration of their Refugee Status, Subsidiary Protection or Permission to Remain status
Family Members of Recognised Refugees or People with Subsidiary Protection
- The Department of Justice letter approving the application for their reunification with the family member with Refugee Status or Subsidiary Protection
- The IRP card of the said family member, or the biometric page of their current valid Irish passport
Entrepreneurs or Investors
- Their current permission letter from the Department of Justice granting permission to stay in Ireland under the:
- Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), or
- Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Previous Stamp 4S Holders
People holding a Stamp 4S permission previously, who are now changing to or renewing a Stamp 4, will be required to submit the original Department of Justice letter granting them a Stamp 4S permission.
The letter will have the conditions mentioned in detail under which the Stamp 4S permission was originally granted.
Eligible Family Member of an EEA or Swiss Citizen Living in Ireland
- Biometric page of the EEA/Swiss Citizen family member’s passport
- The Department of Justice letter stating the conditions under which the original Stamp 4EUFAM permission was granted
- For parents of an EEA/Swiss citizen child living in Ireland, the biometric page of the child’s current valid passport
Stamp 4 Renewal Process
You may start your Stamp 4 permission renewal application up to 12 weeks prior to the expiry date of your current residence permit, to allow ISD sufficient time for processing your application.
You must be physically in Ireland to apply for renewal. Please submit separate applications for your eligible family members, if their current permits are also due for renewal.
How to Renew Stamp 4 If You Live in Dublin
Foreign nationals living in Dublin can renew their IRPs online. Please create an online account on the Department of Justice’s website.
To initiate your Stamp 4 renewal application, please log into your account and complete the online Registration Renewal form. As instructed on the site, please upload digital copies of your supporting documents and pay the processing fee online (if applicable).
After completing your renewal application online, ISD will email you an application number and your processing fee payment receipt. They may also contact you if any other supporting documents are required.
How to Renew Stamp 4 If You Live Outside Dublin
Foreign nationals living outside Dublin will have to visit their local Garda office to renew their Stamp 4 permission. Please call or email to book an appointment with them at least six weeks before your current permit expires.
During your appointment, an immigration officer will review your documents, collect any applicable fees, and complete the required paperwork for applying for a new IRP card. They may also ask you for additional supporting documents.
Stamp 4 Renewal Processing Time
The Stamp 4 renewal application processing time will vary depending on the volume of applications being handled by ISD. Applications are processed on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Once your application is processed, you will receive your new IRP card within 10-15 working days if your application is successful.
Applicants in Dublin will receive their IRP card via mail. For applicants outside Dublin, their local Garda office will inform them when to collect their IRP card.
Stamp 4 Renewal Cost
A Stamp 4 renewal may cost you €300. Applicants from Dublin will need to have a valid credit or debit card to pay this fee while submitting their renewal application online, while for applicants outside Dublin, your local Garda office will collect the fee during your appointment.
If a renewal application is refused, ISD will refund the processing fee, if you have had to pay any, and also inform you of the reason(s) behind such refusal.
How Can IAS Help?
Stamp 4 renewal is seemingly a straightforward process. If you have gathered all the required supporting documents depending on your immigration circumstances, you may apply online on the Department of Justice’s website if you are living in Dublin, or book an appointment at your local Garda office to submit your renewal application if you are living outside Dublin.
However, the immigration situations vary from person to person. You can only renew a Stamp 4 permission if you were originally granted the same. In other words, you cannot simply change to a different immigration stamp while renewing your IRP card.
On a related note, if your circumstances have changed and you no longer fulfil the conditions of your original Stamp 4 permission, you will have to make a new IRP card application depending on your changed situation.
IAS can help.
Our team of sympathetic immigration lawyers have the required expertise to assist you with your Stamp 4 renewal process, regardless of your personal circumstances or the complexity of your case.
If you are seeking overall advice with your Stamp 4 renewal application or you would like an immigration expert to complete your application on your behalf, we are here for you. We provide application services where our specialists can guide you through your application.
We also offer document and application checking services if you just need a final check to confirm that your documents and application adhere to ISD regulations.
To know more about the services we provide and how we can help you, dial +353 061 518 025 today to speak to our team of legal advisers.
Last modified on November 16th, 2023 at 11:19 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Stamp 4 permission can be granted for 1-3 years, renewable thereafter.
The time you spent on a Stamp 4 permission in Ireland will be counted towards your ‘reckonable residence’. So, after living in Ireland for five years on a Stamp 4 permission, you may be eligible to apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation, provided you meet the other relevant terms and conditions.
Stamp 4 permission holders will not have to pay any fee to renew their IRP cards if they:
- Have refugee status or subsidiary protection status in the country
- Have leave to remain in Ireland under Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015
- Are under 18 years of age
- Are married to an Irish citizen
- Are a family member of an EU citizen living in Ireland