5+ years on a permit
Employment permit holders with 5 or more years on Stamp 1 or Stamp 4
What you get
- A calculation of your qualifying months from your stamps and IRP cards
- Advice on whether LTR, Stamp 5 or citizenship suits you best
- Preparation of the application (LTR by post, Stamp 5 through the Customer Service Portal)
About this service
Long-Term Residency and Stamp 5
Two routes to long-term security in Ireland. Long-Term Residency (LTR) is for employment permit holders with at least 60 months of legal residence: it gives you 5 years' permission to work without a permit. Stamp 5 (without condition as to time) is for people with 8 years (96 months) of legal residence: it lets you live and work in Ireland without a time limit, valid until your passport expires. We check which route suits you and prepare the application.
€1229
Fixed fee
5
Areas we cover
5
Documents to prepare
5
Simple steps
Who it's for
Who this is for
Whether you're moving, hiring, staying or starting over, this is the place to begin.
8+ years' residence
Long-term residents with 8 or more years on qualifying stamps
At a glance
Eligibility
01
LTR
At least 60 months of legal residence on Stamp 1 or 4 based on employment permits, in employment when you apply and throughout (self-employed applicants aren't accepted)
02
Stamp 5
At least 96 months of legal residence on qualifying stamps, such as 1, 1G, 1H, 3, 4 or 4D. Stamps 0, 1A, 2, 2A and 4 EUFam, and Stamp 1 or 1G based on an Intra-Company Transfer, don't count
03
Good character
Good character, compliance with previous permissions and no undue burden on the State
04
Legal residence
You're legally resident when you apply
05
Absences
For Stamp 5, absences of no more than 4 months a year after it's granted
Our promise
What's included
Long-Term Residency and Stamp 5
€1229
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 5 ready
Tap items as you go
You're fully prepared. Let's get you booked in.
5-step journey
How it works
- 1Step 1
We count your qualifying residence.
- 2Step 2
We recommend LTR, Stamp 5 or citizenship.
- 3Step 3
We prepare your application and supporting documents.
- 4Step 4
We submit it and respond to any requests.
- Step 5
Once approved, you register your new permission.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,229 VAT included. Government fees are separate.
Government fees
LTR costs €500, paid within 28 days of the approval letter, plus the registration fee. ISD doesn't list an application fee for Stamp 5.
Processing time
Stamp 5 applications currently take a minimum of 6 months. ISD doesn't publish a time for LTR and reports delays.
Keep your permission current
Keep your current permission up to date while your application is pending.
Counting your months
Overlapping stamps are only counted once, and periods without a qualifying stamp don't count.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Ireland doesn't have a single "permanent residence" permit. Instead, non-EEA nationals who have lived here for many years can apply for one of two long-term permissions, as well as having the option of citizenship. Long-Term Residency (LTR) is for employment permit holders with at least 60 months of legal residence on Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 based on employment permits, who are employed when they apply and have been throughout; self-employed applicants aren't accepted. It gives 5 years' permission to work without an employment permit, and spouses and dependants with the same 60 months of residence can also apply. Stamp 5, permission "without condition as to time", is for people with at least 96 months (8 years) of legal residence on qualifying stamps, such as Stamps 1, 1G, 1H, 3, 4 and 4D. Time on Stamps 0, 1A, 2, 2A and 4 EUFam, and on Stamp 1 or 1G based on an Intra-Company Transfer, doesn't count. Stamp 5 holders must limit absences from Ireland to 4 months a year. • Residence needed: 60 months on employment permits for Long-Term Residency; 96 months on qualifying stamps for Stamp 5. • Permission granted: 5 years, with Stamp 4 conditions, for Long-Term Residency; no time limit, valid until your passport expires, for Stamp 5. • Government fee: €500 after approval, plus registration, for Long-Term Residency; none listed for Stamp 5. • How to apply: by post for Long-Term Residency; the Customer Service Portal (preferred) or post for Stamp 5. • Processing: no published time for Long-Term Residency; at least 6 months for Stamp 5. Many people who qualify for these routes also qualify for citizenship, which may give more rights.
If you qualify for both, citizenship may give more rights. We'll compare them for your situation.
Not for Stamp 5 or LTR. Stamp 2 and 2A periods don't count.
Spouses and dependants can apply if they've had the same 60 months of legal residence.
There's no appeal for Stamp 5, but you can reapply. We'll check your case carefully first.
No. Family members don't automatically qualify for Stamp 4 or Stamp 5 and must meet the rules themselves.
Ready when you are
Get started with Long-Term Residency and Stamp 5
€1229
€1229
Long-Term Residency and Stamp 5