The Department of Justice, Home affairs and Migration have finally announced a scheme to deal with the future for Ukrainian nationals living in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive. This news is long awaited and very welcome for those planning their future in Ireland.
The “Temporary Protection Transition Scheme” will be provided to applicants on a Stamp 4 basis. It will be granted for a period of up to two years and renewable for periods of two years thereafter. For more on what it means to have a Stamp 4 permission, please see our explanation of stamp 4 below.
The good news is for those seeking Irish Citizenship is that time on the permission will count towards naturalisation / Irish Citizenship.
The permission will include the whole family unit who have been resident in Ireland under temporary protection.
It is intended that the application process for the new permission will open in September 2026.
The eligibility criteria for this permission will include:
- being resident in Ireland for a minimum of one year as a beneficiary of temporary protection;
- employment or self-employment for six months, with a minimum yearly salary of €29,432;
- not be availing of state supported accommodation such as commercially provided, rapid build programme or hosted accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment at the time of application
What is a stamp 4 permission
A Stamp 4 gives you permission to reside and work in Ireland and to start the path to Irish citizenship. Having the Irish Stamp 4 on your passport allows you to reside in Ireland as an employee, an investor, or someone seeking long-term residency in the country for family reasons.
The Stamp4 permission to remain on a passport is much sought after by anyone looking to stay in Ireland. You are given a Stamp 4 permission on a certain date, and you can apply to extend your stay beyond the expiry date when the time comes.
You can apply for a Stamp4 if you are eligible and then enjoy the benefits and security of staying in Ireland.
Stamp 4 is the stamp on your passport that allows you to stay in Ireland and enjoy living and working in the country. Every non-EEA citizen wants the Irish Stamp 4 on their passport so they can have a life in Ireland.
With a Stamp4 on your passport, you can:
- Work for a company
- Work for another individual
- Work in the Irish health service
- Be self-employed in Ireland
- Join your spouse or partner in Ireland
- Start your own business in Ireland
- Invest in an Irish business
- Study in Ireland
- Do your research in Ireland
The Stamp 4 permission to remain is a temporary immigration permission allowing you to reside in Ireland up to a certain date. A Stamp 4 is renewable provided you have complied with the terms of the permission and obeyed the laws of the Irish state.
For many non-EEA nationals, a Stamp 4 permission to remain is the gold star of Irish immigration permissions.
Sinnott Solicitors, immigration specialists in Dublin and Cork, can be your guide to obtaining a Stamp 4.
