Stamp 5 Ireland (Without Condition as to Time)

Stamp 5 is typically granted to people who:

• Have lived legally in Ireland for at least 8 years (96 months)
• Previously held permissions such as Stamp 1, Stamp 3, or Stamp 4
• Have complied with Irish immigration laws
• Have maintained continuous legal residence

People who have received Long-Term Residency from the Irish government are often granted Stamp 5 as part of that status.

Stamp 5 offers several important benefits:

• Unlimited permission to live in Ireland
• No requirement to renew immigration permission frequently
• Right to work in Ireland without an employment permit
• Ability to start a business or become self-employed
• Access to many public services available to residents

However, Stamp 5 holders are not Irish citizens, so they cannot vote in national elections or hold an Irish passport.

The following conditions apply to holders of Stamp 5 in Ireland. They must:

• Obey the laws of Ireland.
• Avoid involvment in any criminal activity.
• Reside continuously in the state. Here, continuous residency implies living in Ireland for the period covered by the temporary permission to remain.However, the permit allow reasonable periods of absence from the State for holidays, exceptional family circumstances or commitments outside the State arising from business or employment carried out within the State.

• Make every effort to be employed and not become an undue burden to the State.
• Accept that the granted permission does not automatically gives persons related to them (such as family members) the right to enter or remain in Ireland.

The following stamps can be counted when applying for a Stamp 5:

• Stamp 1
• Stamp 1G
• Stamp 3
• Stamp 4
• Stamp 4S

When counting the stamps on applicant’s passport, the following stamps cannot be counted:

• Stamp 4 EuFam.
• Stamp 0
• Student – Stamp 2 or Stamp 2A.
• Temporary Registered Doctor’s – Stamp 4.
• Trainee Accountants – Stamp 1A.
• Intra Company Transfer – Stamp 4.
• Spouse or dependent of an Intra Company Transfer – Stamp 3.
• Temporary visitors permission granted at the port of entry.
• Cancelled Stamps.

Applicants should note that the above list of stamps are not the exhaustive lists for acceptable and unacceptable stamps.

The following documents of applicants must be submitted along with the completed application form:

• A full colour copy of the current passport and all past or expired passports that shows the applicant’s immigration stamps.
• A copy of their Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
• Financial documentation such as copies of tax returns (which serve as proof of their continuous residency in Ireland).
• Bank statements for the previous six months.

Applicants should proceed to download the Stamp 5 application form on the Irish Immigration website online and fill out each sections of the form carefully and truthfully. They should make good use of the document checklist to ensure they include all requested documents.

They should mail the completed form along with documents to the address below:

Unit 3 – Residence Division
4th Floor
Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2 D02 XK70
Ireland

There is no application fee. However, candidates who get a Stamp 5 will pay the appropriate registration fee of €300 when registering their permission using the online registration portal.

General steps to apply for Ireland stamp 5:

• Confirm that you meet the long-term residence requirement.
• Complete the Long-Term Residency application form.
• Prepare supporting documents proving legal residence in Ireland.
• Submit the application to the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
• Wait for the application to be reviewed and approved.
• Once approved, register the permission and receive Stamp 5 on your IRP card.

Applications currently take a minimum of six months to process. Applications are processed as they come and considered in their merits.