Stamp 4 long-term residency — after 5 years CSEP

Build a Stamp 4 LTR strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] (current [CURRENT_STAMP] under [PERMIT_TYPE]; [YEARS_IN_IRELAND] years in Ireland; employer [EMPLOYER_NAME]).

§1 — STAMP 4 OVERVIEW (90-110 words)
Stamp 4 endorsement on Irish Residence Permit (IRP) = long-term residency status:
  • Unrestricted work rights — no employment permit needed
  • Self-employment permitted
  • Public services access
  • Family reunification streamlined
  • Renewable indefinitely (typically 5-year IRP issued)
  • Step toward Irish naturalisation (5-year reckonable residence)
Pathways to Stamp 4:
  • Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) → after 24 months continuous CSEP employment
  • General Employment Permit (GEP) → after 5 years legal residence
  • ICT Permit → after 5 years legal residence
  • Stamp 1G → not direct; must transition to CSEP/GEP first
  • Spouse of Irish citizen → after 3 years marriage + residence
  • Other: research permits, business permission, etc.

§2 — CSEP FAST-TRACK (24 MONTHS) (90-110 words)
[PERMIT_TYPE] = CSEP: fast-track to Stamp 4 after 24 months continuous CSEP employment with sponsoring employer (or same occupation with subsequent employer if CSEP transferred).

Requirements:
  • 24 months continuous CSEP-permitted employment
  • Continuing employment in CSEP occupation
  • No significant breaches of immigration / employment law
  • Tax compliance (Revenue records clean)
  • Application via Department of Justice (ISD) Stamp 4 LTR scheme
  • Fee: EUR 500 (Stamp 4 application + IRP renewal)
  • Processing: 6-9 months typical

After Stamp 4: full work + study + business rights. Counts toward 5-year naturalisation.

§3 — GEP / ICT 5-YEAR PATHWAY (90-110 words)
For [PERMIT_TYPE] = GEP or ICT:
  • 5 years total legal Irish residence required (continuous OR cumulative depending on category)
  • Mahmood v Minister for Justice [2018] IEHC 218 clarifies reckonable residence calculations
  • Includes time on Stamp 1G if it transitioned to permit
  • Excludes time on Stamp 0 (limited residence) + Stamp 3 (dependent without work rights)

Application:
  • Apply via Department of Justice (ISD)
  • Fee: EUR 500
  • Tax compliance evidenced
  • Employment continuity evidenced
  • Processing: 6-12 months
  • Outcome: Stamp 4 endorsement on IRP

§4 — DOCUMENT PACKAGE (80-100 words)
For [CLIENT_NAME]:
  • Current IRP + passport
  • Employment evidence: contract, last 24-36 months payslips, P60s / Statement of Earnings
  • PPS number
  • Revenue tax clearance certificate
  • Bank statements (6+ months)
  • Accommodation evidence (lease / mortgage / utility bills)
  • Address history covering full residence period
  • Garda clearance if requested (typically not required for Stamp 4)
  • Letter from [EMPLOYER_NAME] confirming employment + role + salary
  • Application form (Stamp 4 LTR scheme application)
  • Photo

§5 — FAMILY UNDER STAMP 4 (60-80 words)
Family already in Ireland under derivative permissions:
  • Spouse: from Stamp 3 / Stamp 1G → may apply Stamp 4 derivative
  • Children: from Stamp 3 → typically derivative Stamp 4

Family abroad seeking reunification:
  • Stamp 4 holder may sponsor spouse + minor children
  • Income threshold: EUR 30,000-40,000+ depending on family size
  • Application via family reunification at ISD

§6 — POST-STAMP-4 RIGHTS + NATURALISATION (40-60 words)
Stamp 4 enables:
  • Unrestricted employment / self-employment
  • Public services (HSE, education)
  • Bank credit + mortgage eligibility improved
  • Travel within EU on Irish IRP (Schengen visa-free if Schengen visa held for non-CTA travel)

Naturalisation eligibility:
  • 5 years reckonable residence (Stamp 4 + qualifying prior stamps)
  • Apply Form 8 to ISD

End with: "DRAFT STAMP 4 STRATEGY — for review by Irish solicitor familiar with immigration. CSEP holders should apply at 24-month mark precisely; GEP / ICT holders should track reckonable residence carefully (Mahmood precedent). Don't let IRP lapse — apply 3 months before current IRP expiry."