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What You Need To Know About Visas & Visa Types

Brian Cullinan

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In this blog post, we will delve into the advantages of employing candidates on Ireland's work visa categories, shedding light on how they can ignite your company's growth and propel it towards success. With a particular focus on two prominent visa categories, Stamp 1 and Stamp 1G.

Many of our conversations with clients presently have the same reoccurring theme: the complexity of Irish work visas and the different visa types.  

With that in mind, we thought we would share some insights that may help your organisation tap into this diverse pool of skilled individuals. The Irish work visa scheme, often referred to as "stamps," presents a unique opportunity for employers like you to access exceptional global talent and qualifications.

"Stamps," are issued based on specific criteria and circumstances. These visas provide unique opportunities to tap into a pool of skilled individuals from around the world, enabling your organisation to thrive in an increasingly globalised and competitive landscape.

We will outline the advantages of employing candidates on these visa categories and shed light on how they can fuel your company's growth and success.

 

Stamp 1 and Stamp 1G visas offer a gateway to exceptional global talent. These visa categories are specifically designed for individuals with specialist skills, qualifications, or expertise, making them highly valuable assets to any organisation. In particular, we have had good success placing candidates into niche roles where a local skillset was unavailable or significantly outside budget. 

These visa categories often offer pathways to long-term residency or citizenship, allowing employees to build their careers within your company and contribute to its growth over the long run.

 

Stamp 1:  A work permit granted to individuals who have secured employment in Ireland with a specified employer. Key features of Stamp 1 include:

  • Job-specific: Stamp 1 is tied to a particular employer and position, restricting the visa holder to work only for the designated employer.
  • Duration: Initially granted for a period of up to two years, Stamp 1 can be renewed, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.
  • Transition to Stamp 4: After accumulating a total of five years on Stamp 1, an individual may become eligible to apply for Stamp 4, which provides greater flexibility and opportunities in the Irish labour market.
  • Stamp 1G: A work permit issued to spouses or de facto partners of critical skills employment permit holders, researchers, or green card permit holders.

 Key features of Stamp 1G include:

  • Dependent Visa: Stamp 1G is granted to the spouse or partner of a primary work permit holder, enabling them to reside and work in Ireland.
  • Flexibility: Unlike Stamp 1, Stamp 1G allows holders to work in any employment sector without restrictions.
  • Duration: Stamp 1G is typically issued for the same duration as the primary permit holder's permit.
  • Other Work Visa Stamps: Apart from Stamp 1 and Stamp 1G, Ireland offers additional work visa stamps based on specific circumstances:

 

Stamp 2: Issued to students pursuing a full-time course in Ireland, allowing them to work part-time during their studies.

Stamp 3: Granted to non-EEA nationals involved in voluntary work or unpaid internships in Ireland.


Stamp 4: A long-term residency permit allowing unrestricted access to the labour market, generally obtained after five years on Stamp 1 or other eligible visa stamps.


Stamp 5: Granted to individuals who have permission to remain in Ireland without employment restrictions, such as retirees, wealthy investors, and certain EU/EEA citizens.


It is advisable to consult with the relevant Irish immigration authorities or seek legal advice to ensure compliance with the latest immigration regulations and requirements. Ireland offers a range of work visa stamps to accommodate various employment situations and circumstances. Understanding the distinctions between stamps such as Stamp 1, Stamp 1G, and others is crucial for foreign nationals planning to work in Ireland.

If you are interested in learning more about how to access exceptional global talent through Ireland's work visa stamps, feel free to reach out. 

P.S., Save the date for our upcoming webinar on August 23rd where we'll deep dive into visas and much more!