Long-Term Pathway
Your roadmap from employment permit to permanent residency and Irish citizenship. Timelines, requirements, and what to expect at each stage.
The Journey at a Glance
Employment Permit Granted
Start working in Ireland on Stamp 1 or Stamp 1G
CSEP → Stamp 4
Critical Skills holders apply directly to ISD for Stamp 4 (open work permission)
General EP → Stamp 4
General EP holders apply for Stamp 4 after 5 consecutive years
Long-Term Residency
Apply for Long-Term Residency after 5 years of lawful residence
Irish Citizenship
Apply for naturalisation after 5 years of reckonable residence (1,825 days)
1. Permit Renewal
Critical Skills EP
No renewal through DETE. After 2 years, apply directly to Dept of Justice (ISD) for Stamp 4. Apply at least 1 month before expiry. Stamp 4 Support Letter from DETE is no longer required (changed November 2023).
General EP
Apply via EPOL within 4 months of expiry.
- Initial renewal: up to 3 years
- After 5+ continuous years with same employer: apply for Unlimited Permit renewal (no fee)
- After 5 consecutive years total: apply to ISD for Stamp 4
Other Permit Types
- ICT: Renewable via EPOL. Max 24 months per renewal, then up to 36 months
- Contract for Services: Renewable up to 36 months via EPOL
- Internship: Not renewable
- Exchange Agreement: Not renewable
2. Path to Stamp 4 (Open Work Permission)
What Stamp 4 Means
No employment permit required. Can work in any profession, set up a business, and access state funds and services. This is the key milestone for long-term settlement.
Critical Skills EP Holders
Apply to ISD for Stamp 4 after 2 years. Stamp 4 granted for 2-year periods, then renewable.
General EP Holders
Apply to ISD for Stamp 4 after 5 consecutive years on valid General EPs.
Researchers on Hosting Agreement
Apply to ISD for Stamp 4 after 2 years.
Stamp 1G Holders (Spouses of CSEP)
After 5 years on Stamp 1G, eligible to apply for Stamp 4.
3. Switching Permit Types
It is possible to switch between permit types (e.g., from General EP to CSEP) by applying for the new permit type through EPOL. The new application must meet all criteria for the target permit type.
If made redundant and notified DETE within 4 weeks, you have 6 months to secure new employment and can apply for either a General or Critical Skills permit for the new role.
4. Long-Term Residency
After 5 years of lawful residence (on reckonable stamps), non-EEA nationals may apply for Long-Term Residency to ISD. This grants a Stamp 4 permission for extended periods.
More on Long-Term Residency →5. Irish Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Irish citizenship by naturalisation is handled by ISD Citizenship Division. There are three main routes:
Route A: 5 Years Residency (Standard)
- Requires 1,825 days (1,826 in a leap year) of reckonable residence
- Including 1 continuous year immediately before application (up to 70 days absence allowed; 30 more in exceptional circumstances)
- Reckonable stamps: Stamp 1, 1H, 1G, 3, 4, 5
- NOT reckonable: Stamp 2, Stamp 2A
Route B: Marriage/Civil Partnership to Irish Citizen
- 3+ years of marriage or civil partnership
- 3 of the last 5 years of lawful residence on the island of Ireland (including 1 continuous year before applying)
- 1,095 days reckonable residence
Route C: Declared Refugee
Five years from the date protection was granted. Special provisions apply.
Application Process & Fees
- Apply online at inisonline.jahs.ie
- Application fee: €175
- Certification fee (on approval): €950 (adult), €200 (minor), €0 (refugee/stateless)
- Processing time: most applications within 12 months
- Mandatory citizenship ceremony for successful adult applicants
- Cannot appeal a refusal, but can reapply
Key Contacts
Employment Permits (DETE)
- Tel: +353 1 631 2121 or 0818 302 121
- Email: employmentpermits@enterprise.gov.ie
- 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)
- 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70
- Online: portal.irishimmigration.ie
PPS Number (DSP)
- Tel: (071) 967 2616 or 0818 927 999
- Email: CIS@welfare.ie
Citizens Information
- Tel: 0818 07 4000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm)
- citizensinformation.ie