Ireland Long-Term Residence (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Ireland has no formal permanent residency programme. The closest equivalents are Stamp 4 (unrestricted work and business permission, renewable), the administrative Long-Term Residency (LTR) scheme, and Stamp 5 — Without Condition As To Time after 8 years of legal residency.
CSEP holders apply to ISD for Stamp 4 after 21 months; GEP holders after 57 months. The LTR scheme gives Stamp 4 (without an employment permit) to workers who have completed 60 months on qualifying stamps — administrative, non-statutory, currently open but flagged by ISD as 'very high volumes.' The €500 LTR grant fee is paid on approval within 28 days or the application closes. Stamp 5 issues after 96 months (8 years) of legal residency evidenced by passport stamps and IRP cards.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- A CSEP holder has been employed for 21 months (or GEP for 57 months) and wants Stamp 4
- A worker has been in Ireland 60 months on qualifying permits and wants LTR Stamp 4 without tying to an employment permit
- Any non-EEA person has been legally resident for 8 years and wants Stamp 5
Pathways:
- Stamp 4 after 21 months (CSEP): apply to ISD with the Revenue Employment Detail Summary showing commencement, passport, current IRP. CSEP-origin Stamp 4 typically issues for 24 months initially.
- Stamp 4 after 57 months (GEP): same route; GEP-origin Stamp 4 typically issues for 12 months initially.
- Long-Term Residency (LTR) scheme: administrative. 60 months on qualifying stamps (Stamp 1 on a qualifying employment permit, Stamp 4 from a work-permit route). Non-qualifying stamps include Stamp 0, Stamp 1A, AWS Stamp 1, Intra-Company Transfer Stamp 1, Stamp 2/2A/1G student, Stamp 4 EUFAM, Business Permission, and international protection time. Applicant must be in PAYE employment, not self-employed. Good character, no undue burden on the State, no condition breach, legally resident at the time of application. Doctors: only post-Medical-Council registration time counts; AWS doctors ineligible.
- Stamp 5 Without Condition As To Time: 96 months (8 years) of legal residency evidenced by passport stamps and IRP cards. Application in writing to the Stamp 5 Unit.
- EU citizens: automatic permanent residence after 5 years' continuous qualifying residence under S.I. 548/2015.
Fees: LTR application — none upfront; €500 grant fee on approval within 28 days (non-payment closes the file). IRP renewal €300. No appeal route from an LTR refusal — reapplication or judicial review only.
Processing: ISD flags 'very high volumes' for LTR; no published median, effective waits often measured in years as of April 2026.
What to Do If You Want to Apply for Long-Term Residence or Stamp 4 in Ireland
Step 1 — CSEP Stamp 4 upgrade at month 21: book an ISD appointment and submit Revenue EDS (commencement-date evidence), passport with stamps, current IRP, employer letter.
Step 2 — GEP Stamp 4 upgrade at month 57: same route; initial Stamp 4 typically issues for 12 months.
Step 3 — LTR application: complete the LTR form (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Long-Term-Residency-Application-Form.pdf). Attach colour copies of current and past passports showing every stamp, current IRP, employment contract, all DETE permits, and proof of continuous residence (tenancy, bank statements). Post to Long Term Residence Section, Unit C, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, ISD, 13–14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
Step 4 — On LTR approval, pay the €500 grant fee by EFT within 28 days of the letter — a missed deadline closes the application.
Step 5 — Register the new permission online and pay the €300 IRP fee. Outcome: Stamp 4 for 5 years without an employment permit.
Step 6 — Stamp 5: at 96 months of legal residency, write to the Stamp 5 Unit with all passports, IRP cards, employment history, and continuous-residence evidence. Processing can take 6–12 months.
What should you NOT do?
Don't count non-qualifying stamps. Student time (2/2A/1G-student), AWS, ICT, Stamp 4 EUFAM, self-employment, Business Permission, and protection-applicant time do not count toward LTR's 60-month rule.
Don't let gaps appear in the IRP or passport stamps. Uncounted time is common ground for refusal.
Don't be self-employed during the LTR window. LTR requires PAYE employment throughout.
Don't receive means-tested welfare during the qualifying period — triggers an undue-burden finding.
Don't miss the 28-day €500 grant fee deadline. The file closes; you reapply from scratch.
Don't treat Stamp 4 as permanent. Only Stamp 5 is indefinite. Stamp 4 is a time-limited renewal.
About Immigration Pathways in Ireland
If you're applying to work or live in Ireland, the Immigration Act 2004, the Employment Permits Act 2024, and the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 set the rules. ISD runs visas and IRP cards (€300 fee under SI 421/2025); DETE runs employment permits through EPOS. The two main work routes are the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit, with MAR thresholds rising in 2026 and every permit salary needing to meet €14.15/hour. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals enter freely under SI 548/2015. Track IRP expiry — overstaying ends in a section 3 deportation notice.
Common Questions
Is there permanent residency in Ireland?
Not a formal programme. The closest equivalents are Stamp 4 (unrestricted work and business, renewable), the administrative Long-Term Residency (LTR) scheme, and Stamp 5 — Without Condition As To Time after 8 years of legal residency. EU citizens acquire automatic permanent residence after 5 years' continuous qualifying residence under S.I. 548/2015.
What is the Irish Long-Term Residency scheme?
Administrative, non-statutory. It grants Stamp 4 (no employment permit needed) to workers who have completed 60 months on qualifying stamps like Stamp 1 on a qualifying employment permit or Stamp 4 from a work-permit route. Stamp 2, 2A, 1G-student, AWS, ICT, Stamp 0, Stamp 4 EUFAM, Business Permission, and protection-applicant time do not count.
What is the €500 Irish LTR grant fee?
Paid on approval of a Long-Term Residency application within 28 days of the offer letter — a missed deadline closes the file. There is no upfront LTR fee. On approval, register the new permission and pay the €300 IRP fee. There is no appeal from an LTR refusal — reapplication or judicial review are the only options.
What is the long-term residence (stamp 4 & stamp 5) right in Ireland?
Ireland has no formal permanent residency programme. The closest equivalents are Stamp 4 (unrestricted work and business permission, renewable), the administrative Long-Term Residency (LTR) scheme, and Stamp 5 — Without Condition As To Time after 8 years of legal residency.CSEP holders apply to ISD for Stamp 4 after 21 months; GEP holders after 57 months. The LTR scheme gives Stamp 4 (without an employment permit) to workers who have completed 60 months on qualifying stamps — administrative, non-statutory, currently open but flagged by ISD as 'very high volumes.' The €500 LTR grant fee is paid...
When does it apply — long-term residence (stamp 4 & stamp 5)?
This applies when:A CSEP holder has been employed for 21 months (or GEP for 57 months) and wants Stamp 4A worker has been in Ireland 60 months on qualifying permits and wants LTR Stamp 4 without tying to an employment permitAny non-EEA person has been legally resident for 8 years and wants Stamp 5Pathways:Stamp 4 after 21 months (CSEP): apply to ISD with the Revenue Employment Detail Summary showing commencement, passport, current IRP. CSEP-origin Stamp 4 typically issues for 24 months initially.Stamp 4 after 57 months (GEP): same route; GEP-origin Stamp 4 typically issues for 12 months initia...
What should I do if I want to apply for permanent residence or Stamp 4 in Ireland?
Step 1 — CSEP Stamp 4 upgrade at month 21: book an ISD appointment and submit Revenue EDS (commencement-date evidence), passport with stamps, current IRP, employer letter.Step 2 — GEP Stamp 4 upgrade at month 57: same route; initial Stamp 4 typically issues for 12 months.Step 3 — LTR application: complete the LTR form (https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Long-Term-Residency-Application-Form.pdf). Attach colour copies of current and past passports showing every stamp, current IRP, employment contract, all DETE permits, and proof of continuous residence (tenancy, bank stat...
What should you NOT do — long-term residence (stamp 4 & stamp 5)?
Don't count non-qualifying stamps. Student time (2/2A/1G-student), AWS, ICT, Stamp 4 EUFAM, self-employment, Business Permission, and protection-applicant time do not count toward LTR's 60-month rule.Don't let gaps appear in the IRP or passport stamps. Uncounted time is common ground for refusal.Don't be self-employed during the LTR window. LTR requires PAYE employment throughout.Don't receive means-tested welfare during the qualifying period — triggers an undue-burden finding.Don't miss the 28-day €500 grant fee deadline. The file closes; you reapply from scratch.Don't treat Stamp 4 as perman...