Stamp 4 for Critical Skills
Holders

Stamp 4 is one of the most valuable Irish immigration permissions: it lets the holder work for any employer, change jobs freely and run a business without an employment permit. Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply for it after 21 months of employment in Ireland on their permit, and the same 21-month rule applies to researchers on a hosting agreement and to non-consultant hospital doctors on multi-site General Employment Permits. General Employment Permit and Intra-Company Transfer holders can apply after 57 months. Since 30 November 2023, a support letter from the Department of Enterprise is no longer needed: holders apply directly to Immigration Service Delivery through the online renewal system, under Stamp 4 conditions. ISD checks the employment start date using the Revenue Employment Detail Summary, so the records must be accurate, and applicants must have complied with their permit and immigration conditions. The fee is the standard €300 registration fee. Stamp 4 for Critical Skills holders is usually granted for 2 years and then renewed. After 60 months of residence on employment permits, holders can apply for Long-Term Residency, and once they have 5 years' reckonable residence they can apply for citizenship.

No. DETE stopped issuing Stamp 4 support letters in November 2023. You apply directly to ISD.

Yes. Stamp 4 lets you work for any employer, or yourself, without an employment permit.

Apply before it expires. During 2026's backlog, DETE allowed holders who applied in time to keep working temporarily. We'll advise on the current position.

You'd stay on Stamp 1 and still need an employment permit to work. We'll check before you apply.

Your spouse's permission is linked to yours. We'll advise on their renewal when you move to Stamp 4.