Stamp 1

Stamp 1 is the permission most employment permit holders receive when they register in Ireland. It usually allows work in the State under a valid employment permit, with residence permission recorded on the IRP card.

We tailor our Stamp 1 support to your employment and residence history. You may need help with a renewal, a proposed job change or the evidence for moving from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4.

What it allows

Immigration Service Delivery says Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to conditions. For most employment permit holders, the important condition is that the person must hold a valid employment permit, or a specific ISD letter saying they can work without one.

Check the IRP card alongside the employment permit and any ISD letter. The card records residence permission; the permit specifies the employer, occupation and location covered by the work permission.

A Stamp 1 holder may live in Ireland during the permission period, work under the permitted arrangement and renew their registration if the underlying basis continues. Where the permit route later leads to Stamp 4, the Stamp 1 period is often the record that proves the person has built the required employment history.

Work restrictions and registration duties

Stamp 1 remains subject to the employment permit conditions. Check proposed changes to the role, employer, location, hours or contract structure, as the permit may need to be changed or replaced first.

If the person does not have an employment permit, they must not work, trade, practise a profession or operate a business unless the ISD permission letter clearly allows it. Check that letter alongside the registration documents.

Stamp 1 holders must keep their registration current. ISD states that anyone wishing to stay beyond the expiry date must apply to renew their permission and registration before they expire.

How you get it

A person usually gets Stamp 1 after an employment permit has issued and they register their permission in Ireland. The permit may be a Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit, Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit or another permit type that supports employment in the State.

The registration file should be consistent. The name, passport, employer, job title and dates should match the permit and the employment contract. Where a visa was needed before travel, the registration position should also match the entry permission granted for that employment.

Keep Revenue employment records for future applications. ISD’s Stamp 4 upgrade page says commencement of employment is determined through the Employment Detail Summary, so the relevant date may be the first day worked rather than the permit issue date.

Renewal

Stamp 1 renewal normally depends on the underlying employment permit or ISD letter still being valid. The person should check the expiry date on both the IRP card and the employment permit, because the two dates may need separate action.

A renewal file usually needs the current passport, current IRP card, employment permit evidence and proof that employment continues. If the permit is also being renewed, coordinate the applications so the residence renewal includes evidence of continuing work permission.

Record the IRP, employment permit and passport expiry dates together. Each may require a separate application, and a delay with one can affect the others.

Whether it counts towards citizenship

ISD states that Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation. This period may form part of the residence record for holders who later move to Stamp 4.

Residence must still be calculated under the citizenship rules. Keep each IRP card, permit, renewal approval and Revenue Employment Detail Summary to support that calculation.

Where things go wrong

Problems can arise from changing jobs before the permit arrangements are confirmed, renewing late or relying on employment dates that differ from Revenue records. Check the permit’s work conditions alongside the card.

The support we provide depends on the application needed. For a renewal or Stamp 4 upgrade, we review the relevant employment and registration evidence and agree the preparation required.

Common questions

Can I change employer on Stamp 1?

Where Stamp 1 is based on an employment permit, the permit conditions determine the employer, role and location. Check those conditions before arranging a change of employer.

Does Stamp 1 count towards Irish citizenship?

Immigration Service Delivery states that Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation. The days still have to be counted under the naturalisation residence rules.