UPDATE REGARDING ELIGIBLE SPOUSES AND PARTNERS OF GENERAL EMPLOYMENT PERMIT AND INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE IRISH EMPLOYMENT PERMIT HOLDERS
The Department of Justice and Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment recently announced that eligible spouses and partners of General Employment and Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit holders who have applied for and been granted family reunification in the State in accordance with the Department of Justice Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy will now be registered on a Stamp 1G rather than a Stamp 3 permission. In addition, spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and Researchers on a Hosting Agreement currently on a Stamp 3 are also now eligible for Stamp 1G.
This development enables eligible spouses and partners of these permit holders to work without obtaining a separate employment permit. It does not, however, negate the need for current and future permit holders whose spouses and partners are not in the State to apply for family reunification after 12 months.
Effective immediately from 15th May 2024, eligible spouses and partners who already legally reside in the State and hold a Stamp 3 permission have had their permission to remain in the State varied to the same conditions as Stamp 1G, which are as follows:
- 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 Stamp 1G registration is required annually, and after 5 years on a Stamp 1G, you may be eligible for a Stamp 4 permission.
As such, they do not need to attend their local immigration office or apply online to obtain a permission to reside on Stamp 1G conditions. A new Irish Residence Permit on Stamp 1G conditions will issue to eligible persons when they seek to renew their current Stamp 3 permission upon its expiry.
Eligible spouses or partners therefore do not need to acquire a new Irish Residence Permit card to engage in employment but can instead provide prospective employers with the following letter in conjunction with their current IRP card: Download Stamp 3 to Stamp 1G Employment Notice. This temporary arrangement is valid until 15th May 2025.
The full announcement can be found here:
This blog article has been prepared on the basis of current immigration law and policy, which is subject to change. Please keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page where articles relating to updates and changes in immigration law and policy are regularly posted.
