Residence in Ireland: permits and requirements
Living legally in Ireland is possible through 7 permit types: work, permanent, study, other, international protection. Each program has its own requirements; below are the duration, renewal, costs and documentation according to the country's official sources.
Stamp 1 – Residence Permit for Employment (Employment Permit)
Residence type #1 of 7
Residence permit for third-country workers with an Employment Permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Requirements
- Valid Employment Permit (General, Critical Skills, Intra-Company, etc.)
- Work contract consistent with the permit
- Registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) or Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)
- No serious criminal record
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Original Employment Permit issued by DETE
- Work contract
- Proof of address in Ireland
- Identity photos
- Registration fee (€300)
- GNIB/ISD application form
Frequently asked questions about residence in Ireland
How many types of residence permits are there in Ireland?
Ireland offers 7 residence permit types, grouped into the categories work, permanent, study, other, international protection. Each permit has its own requirements, duration and documentation, detailed in this fact sheet according to the country's official sources.
How long do residence permits in Ireland last?
Durations vary by permit type: Same as the Employment Permit (max. 2 years, renewable); Same as the main holder's Employment Permit (max. 2 years); 1-3 years (renewable; after 8 years of residence you can apply for Stamp 5 without condition as to time); 5 years (renewable). The exact details of each type appear in the corresponding fact sheet.
Can residence permits in Ireland be renewed?
Yes. All residence permit types of Ireland (7 in total) are renewable before their expiration, according to the rules of each program.
What documentation is usually required to reside in Ireland?
Although each permit requires its own file, the most recurrent documents are: Identity photos; Valid passport; Registration fee (€300). The complete list by residence type appears in each fact sheet, together with the corresponding official link.
Does residence in Ireland lead to nationality?
Yes, through the Naturalization by residence pathway, which requires 5 years of reckonable residence in the last 9 years, with 1 continuous year immediately before the application (the "5 in 9" rule). The complete requirements are in the nationality fact sheet of Ireland.
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Anything to correct or add about Ireland?
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