You need a visa to go to Ireland. If you are going to stay there for more than 90 days, this is mandatory to get a job, start a family or simply live there. In this article we will quickly cover the main Ireland types of visa. Interested? Then, keep reading.

People who are not EU citizens (EU/EEA) or Switzerland need to obtain a visa to stay in the country for more than 90 days and there are different types of visas for different permits: work, study, residence, etc. To register in any of these situations, you must consult the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS), which has a list of possible visas for foreigners, ranging from tourist visas to work visas, including marriage visas, family unions, among others. In this article we will explore each of them, starting with some very useful news:

You may not need a prior visa to enter Ireland

Some nationalities, like Brazilians for example, don’t need a prior visa to enter into the country. You can consult here if your nationality requires a prior visa. However, what changes from 2024 onwards for the nationalities that don’t require the prior visa is the requirement for a pre-registration called ETIAS. It must be done within 96 hours before boarding for those who are visiting Ireland for up to 90 days. This change aims to bring more agility and security to the process of entering the country. Those arriving need to present some documents, but can apply for a visa that allows them to stay for more than 90 days when already in Ireland. Great, right?

You will need to show these documents:

• Return ticket;
• Passport with a expiration date greater than 6 months;
• Travel insurance;
• Financial proof to support yourself during the trip;
• Hotel/residence reservation
• Or an invitation letter from the place where you will stay during the visit.

It is important to highlight that these are the basic requirements for all the visa options available for those who are not a EEA citizen. The type of visa and maximum length of stay in the country varies depending on the purpose of the trip: studies, leisure, joining family or work.

Understanding how to register the permissions

Each type of permission is classified as a stamp, such as Stamp 1, Stamp 2, Stamp 3. The stamp you receive on your IRP (Irish Residence Permit) card is what defines what you can do and how long you are allowed to stay in Ireland.

These are the stamps:

• Stamp 1
• Stamp 1A
• Stamp 1G
• Stamp 2 (2A)
• Stamp 3
• Stamp 4
• Stamp 4S
• Stamp 4D

Too many options! But take it easy because we are going to simplify each of them as much as possible.

If you need more detailed information, you can visit the Irish Immigration Service website. Below, we will list the types of stamps:

1. Short stay ‘C’ visit (tourist) visa

Some nationalities like Indians for example need a tourist visa if they are visiting Ireland for tourism or studying for up to 90 days. It is important to highlight that this is the maximum period and may be shorter if deemed necessary by the immigration agent. So, it is very important to present all the required documents. The official website generally recommends presenting:

• Proof of where you are staying while you are in Ireland (hotel reservation, accommodation or invitation letter in case you are visiting a friend);
• Health-insurance;
• Proof that you have money to support yourself and your dependents;
• Return ticket;
• Passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

2. Stamp 0: Temporary visa (90 days)

This visa is granted for people who enter Ireland without the aim of receiving State benefits and who meet certain requirements, one of which is being covered by private health insurance.

• Financially self-sufficient or sponsored by someone;
• Whoever holds this stamp can not work or engage in any business (unless if INIS permits through a permission letter).

Eligible people: 

• Service foreign provider who has been sent to Ireland by a foreign company to carry out some task for a limited time;
• Someone whose objective to stay more than 90 days is to provide humanitarian services;
• Academic visitors.
  

“Ok, now I want to know which visas allow me to work in Ireland?”

So keep reading!

3. Stamp 1: Work visa

Oh! The much-dreamed-of work visa! One of the most desired!

There are some requirements to apply for this visa in Ireland. The most important are:

• A job offer from a company already established in Ireland
• OR an ISD letter declaring you can work without a work permit.

Eligible people:

• Citizens of countries that are not part of Eurozone (non-EEE) who already have a Work Permit, Green Card or permission to operate their own business in Ireland;
• Citizens of countries that are not part of Eurozone (non-EEE) who have a residence permit in Ireland;
• Citizens of countries that are not part of the Eurozone (non-EEE) who have a work permit as a civil/spouse/de facto partner dependent.

4. Stamp 1A: Trainee visa

One of the most limited visas, it allows people who want to be a trainee full time following rules, terms and specific conditions.

According to INIS website: Stamp 1A indicates permission to participate in full time, paid accountancy training (in compliance with the immigration rules or regulated by the IAASA and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland) for a specified period

5. Stamp 2: Student visa with work permit

If you want to work and study in Ireland, firstly congratulations on your efforts! Secondly, good news! This is the visa normally granted for students on an exchange program.

• It is granted under the condition that the immigrant attend classes, being allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during school term and up to 40 hours per week during holidays;
• You must enroll in a course lasting at least 25 weeks at an institution approved by the Irish government to qualify for this stamp;
• Expire in 8 months.

For more details, we suggest that you use our community chat to talk with people in the same situation and consult the INIS website.

6. Stamp 2A: Student visa without work permit

If you want just to dedicate yourself to studying, this one’s for you!

This stamp is in the student visas category and of course it has some requirements. These are some of them:

• The immigrant must be enrolled in a course;
• It is not permitted to work full time or part time;
• Maximum duration of 6 months. 

7. Stamp 3: Permission to stay and work if you have a work permit

Although the title is saying the opposite, whoever holds this stamp can work if they have a work permit. In general, the Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay but without working or managing a business. 

Eligible people:

• Volunteers;
• Ministers of religion;
• Join a non-EEA/EU/Swiss spouse/civil partner or family member who is here based on a work permit.

8. Stamp 4: Permission to stay and work without a work permit

Generally this stamp is sought by people who are in a relationship with an Irish or European living in Ireland, for allowing people to stay for a specified period.

Eligible people: 

• Citizen – non EEE who is joining a familiar an Irish partner;
• Citizen – non EEE who is joining a EEE family member
• Someone joining their child who is an Irish citizen

Stamp 4 is also granted for professionals holding a work permit (5 years for General Skills and 2 years for Critical Skills).

9. Stamp 1G: Permission to stay

This one is fresh from the oven!

It is the newest stamp created by the Irish government and its purpose is to make it easier for non-Europeans that have recently graduated from one of the higher education courses available and accredited in the country

It is granted for students who have completed QQI level 8 to 10 courses and who are interested in working. They can be required as soon as you receive the results of the final exams. Check some features of this stamp:

• It is attractive for companies because it indicates that there is a recent graduate willing to work full time;
• Maximum duration of one year, which allows you time to look for a job and get a work permit;
• To apply for it, students must be part of the Graduate Scheme (it is a program that allows graduated students to work full time for at least 12 months).

Any questions for this one? It is worth consulting the INIS website. 

10. Stamp 5

Stamp 5 is granted to people who live legally in the country for 8 years on the basis of Stamp 1, Stamp 3 and Stamp 4.

It doesn’t have an expiration date – which is great for entering any documentation attempt in the country – and is eligible for those who are not in the naturalisation process.

11. Stamp 6

Exclusive for people with dual-citizenship, one of which is Irish. It also ensures that you stay in the country without an expiry date. You need to have an Irish passport to apply for it.

It is important to remember that, in addition to the details of all Ireland types of visas covered, there are other requirements that must be met, under penalty of deportation in case of non-compliance, and that immigration has the right to demand proof of everything that deem appropriate.