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Immigration UpdateNews & Updates

Changes to Employment Permits to Allow Spouses to Work

The Ministers of Justice and Enterprise, Trade, and Employment have announced that eligible spouses and partners of General Employment Permit (GEP) and Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Irish Employment Permit holders have the right to work in Ireland provided that they were granted Stamp 3 permission under the Non-EEA Family reunification policy. The spouses and partners will now be registered on a Stamp 1G.  Moreover, spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on a Hosting Agreement currently on Stamp 3 are also now eligible for Stamp 1G.

The amended Stamp 3 to Stamp 1G permission comes into effect on the 15th of May 2024.

 

Who is this for?

To be eligible you are currently residing in the state with Stamp 3 based on the following:

  • A spouse or partner of a General Employment Permit (GEP) or Intra- Corporate Transferee (ICT) permit holder
  • A spouse or partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder (CSEP) or Researcher on a Hosting Agreement
  • A spouse or partner of a Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) on a Multi-Site General Employment Permit
  • Your spouse or partner previously held one of the above and is now on Stamp 4 permission.
  • Your spouse or partner has been issued a Reactivation Employment Permit for GEP, ICT, or CSEP Employment permit.

AND

  • You have been granted permission to reside in Ireland under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy
  • You are legally resident in the State on a valid Stamp3.
  • You wish to engage in employment in Ireland.

 

How it works?

Eligible spouses and partners with current stamp 3 do not need to make an application to the Registration Office to change their permission from Stamp 3 to Stamp 1G or acquire a new IRP card. You can provide your potential employers the letter that explains this temporary administrative arrangement, NOTICE TO EMPLOYERS STAMP 3 TO STAMP 1G.

A new Irish residence Permit on Stamp 1G condition will be issued to an eligible person when they renew their current Stamp 3 permission on its expiry date.

Conditions attached to a Stamp 1G:

  • Permitted to work in the State without the requirement to obtain an employment permit
  • Permitted to undertake courses of study in the State.
  • Not permitted to establish or operate a business.
  • Not permitted to be self-employed
  • Renewal of the Stamp1G registration is required annually and after 5 years on Stamp 1G, you may apply for Stamp 4

 

For further information and guidance on how to avail of this Stamp 1G, please see the full notice

For more information and assistance, please contact caseworkers.