Published: July 2026 | Source: Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has updated the Interim Notice to Employers with important new information for workers who have applied for a Stamp 4 upgrade.
What Is the Update?
ISD has confirmed that Employees who were eligible for a Stamp 4 upgrade at the time of applying to renew their IRP card, who currently hold a recently expired Stamp 1 permission and have made an application to renew under Stamp 4 conditions, are covered by this notice and do not a require an employment permit to continue working while their renewal is queued for processing.
Who Does This Apply To?
This update applies to workers who have applied for their Stamp 4 having completed either:
- 57 months on a General Employment Permit (GEP), or
- 21 months on a Critical Skills Employment Permit
If you meet either of these conditions and applied to renew your IRP card before your previous card expired, you are covered by this interim notice and can continue working while your application is being processed.
Read ISD announces update to interim Notice to Employers Regarding Expired IRP cards.
This extension does not apply if your immigration permission had already expired before you submitted your renewal application.
Note: The existing Notice to Employers will continue to apply after 31 August 2026. Read below to know more.
The Standard Notice to Employers – Your 12-Week Grace Period
The standard ISD Notice to Employers has been in place for some time. It gives workers a 12-week grace period from the date their IRP card expires as long as they applied to renew before it expired.
During this 12-week period, you are legally permitted to remain in Ireland and continue working under the exact same terms and conditions while your renewal application is being processed.
This grace period begins on the date your IRP card expires. If your employer raises concerns, you can show them your application receipt (OREG number) and your application completed email as proof that you applied in time.
Important Reminder – Unfair Dismissal
If an employer dismisses you based on an expired IRP card during this period, they may be found liable for substantial compensation under the Unfair Dismissals Act.
Read more about your rights regarding unfair dismissal
If you have any questions regarding family reunification, write to us using our contact form, provide all the details: www.mrci.ie/contact-us one of our caseworker will get back to you.
