Long-Term Residence
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. 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 does not have a formal "permanent residency" programme like many other countries. Instead, the closest equivalent is Stamp 4 immigration permission, which provides permission to reside and work in Ireland without restriction. There is also a Long Term Residence permission and a Without Condition as to Time (Stamp 5) endorsement for those who have been resident for extended periods.
The pathway to unrestricted residence depends on your immigration category. Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 after 2 years. General Employment Permit holders can apply after 5 years. The Long Term Residence scheme is available to those who have held employment permits for 5 years or more. Stamp 5 (without condition as to time) is available to those who have been legally resident for 8 continuous years.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You have been living and working in Ireland on an employment permit and want to settle permanently
- You are a CSEP holder who has completed 2 years and wants unrestricted work permission
- You have been legally resident in Ireland for 5+ years and want long-term residence
- You have been legally resident for 8+ years and want unconditional permission to remain
Key pathways:
- Stamp 4 after 2 years (CSEP route): Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 after completing 2 years on the permit. This removes the employer-specific restriction and allows you to work for any employer, become self-employed, or start a business. You remain on Stamp 4 with renewals until eligible for Stamp 5 or citizenship. No additional government fee beyond IRP renewal (EUR 300).
- Stamp 4 after 5 years (GEP route): General Employment Permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 after 5 years of lawful residence on work permits. Must have been in continuous employment. Apply through the Long Term Residence scheme or by requesting a change of immigration stamp at the registration office.
- Long Term Residence: Available to those who have been legally resident in Ireland on employment permits for at least 60 months (5 years) in the preceding 8 years. Apply to the Long Term Residence Unit of the Department of Justice. Application fee: EUR 500. Provides Stamp 4 permission and removes employment permit restrictions.
- Stamp 5 (Without Condition as to Time): The closest equivalent to permanent residency. Available to those who have been legally resident in Ireland for 8 continuous years (excluding time on student permission or asylum). Provides indefinite permission to reside and work. Must apply to the Department of Justice. The stamp is endorsed in your passport and you receive an updated IRP card. No published fee (subject to IRP registration fee of EUR 300).
- EU citizens — permanent residence: EU/EEA citizens automatically acquire permanent residence in Ireland after 5 years of continuous legal residence under the European Communities (Free Movement) Regulations 2015. No application or fee required, but you can request a document confirming permanent residence.
What to Do If You Want to Apply for Long-Term Residence or Stamp 4 in Ireland
Step 1: Determine which pathway applies to you based on your current immigration stamp and how long you have been resident. CSEP holders should prepare to apply for Stamp 4 as their 2-year permit approaches completion. GEP holders should track their 5-year continuous residence period.
Step 2: For Stamp 4 after a CSEP, contact the Burgh Quay Registration Office (Dublin) or your local immigration office before your current permission expires. Bring evidence of your 2 years of continuous employment: employment permit, payslips, Revenue statements (P60/Employment Detail Summary), employer letter, and passport with immigration stamps.
Step 3: For Long Term Residence, submit an application to the Long Term Residence Unit, Department of Justice, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Include: completed application form, EUR 500 fee, copies of all employment permits held, evidence of 60 months of residence and employment (payslips, tax records, IRP cards), passport with all immigration stamps, and evidence of integration (if applicable).
Step 4: For Stamp 5, write to the Stamp 5 Unit of the Department of Justice. Include evidence of 8 continuous years of legal residence: all IRP cards, passport stamps, employment records, tax returns, and evidence of continuous residence. Processing can take 6 to 12 months.
Step 5: While waiting for Stamp 4 or 5, ensure your current immigration permission does not lapse. Renew your IRP card and employment permit before they expire. Gaps in permission can affect your application.
Step 6: After receiving Stamp 4 or Stamp 5, you are no longer tied to a specific employer. You can work for any employer, become self-employed, or start a business. With Stamp 4, you can also begin planning your citizenship application (requires 5 years of reckonable residence including 1 continuous year immediately before applying).
What should you NOT do?
Don't let your immigration permission expire while waiting for a decision. Processing times for Long Term Residence and Stamp 5 can be lengthy. If your current permission expires, you must renew it independently. Having a pending application does not extend your existing permission.
Don't assume student time counts toward residence requirements. Time spent on Stamp 2 (student permission) generally does not count toward the 5-year requirement for Long Term Residence or the 8-year requirement for Stamp 5. Only time on work-related stamps (Stamp 1, 1G, 4) and certain other permissions counts as reckonable residence.
Don't change your status or leave Ireland for extended periods during the qualifying period. Continuous residence is assessed strictly. Extended absences from Ireland may break the continuity of your residence and delay eligibility. Keep detailed travel records.
Don't confuse Stamp 4 with permanent residence. Stamp 4 provides unrestricted work rights but is still a time-limited permission that must be renewed (typically every 2 years). It can be revoked in certain circumstances, such as serious criminal convictions. Only Stamp 5 (without condition as to time) or citizenship provides truly permanent status.
Don't neglect to keep all your immigration documents. Long Term Residence and Stamp 5 applications require comprehensive documentation spanning 5 to 8 years. Keep every IRP card, employment permit, payslip, P60, and passport. Losing these documents makes it very difficult to prove continuous lawful residence.
Common Questions
When does it apply — long-term residence?
This applies when:You have been living and working in Ireland on an employment permit and want to settle permanentlyYou are a CSEP holder who has completed 2 years and wants unrestricted work permissionYou have been legally resident in Ireland for 5+ years and want long-term residenceYou have been legally resident for 8+ years and want unconditional permission to remainKey pathways:Stamp 4 after 2 years (CSEP route): Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for Stamp 4 after completing 2 years on the permit. This removes the employer-specific restriction and allows you to work for a...
What should I do if I want to apply for permanent residence or Stamp 4 in Ireland?
Step 1: Determine which pathway applies to you based on your current immigration stamp and how long you have been resident. CSEP holders should prepare to apply for Stamp 4 as their 2-year permit approaches completion. GEP holders should track their 5-year continuous residence period.Step 2: For Stamp 4 after a CSEP, contact the Burgh Quay Registration Office (Dublin) or your local immigration office before your current permission expires. Bring evidence of your 2 years of continuous employment: employment permit, payslips, Revenue statements (P60/Employment Detail Summary), employer letter, a...
What should you NOT do — long-term residence?
Don't let your immigration permission expire while waiting for a decision. Processing times for Long Term Residence and Stamp 5 can be lengthy. If your current permission expires, you must renew it independently. Having a pending application does not extend your existing permission.Don't assume student time counts toward residence requirements. Time spent on Stamp 2 (student permission) generally does not count toward the 5-year requirement for Long Term Residence or the 8-year requirement for Stamp 5. Only time on work-related stamps (Stamp 1, 1G, 4) and certain other permissions counts as re...
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