2023-11-21-KPMG_Global-Ireland_–_Changes_to_Stamp_4_Immigration_Permission_Process_3页_313kb

Summary

• Effective from November 30, 2023, Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) will stop issuing Stamp 4 support letters.
• This change affects holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits, Researchers on a Hosting Agreement, and Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors with Multi-Site General Employment Permits who are eligible to transfer from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4.
• The process simplifies to a single step, with applications now submitted directly to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) rather than through DETE for a support letter.
• Eligibility requires a minimum of 21 months under an IRP Stamp 1 card in Ireland and applications can be made 12 weeks before the current permit expires.
• Additional details include that existing Stamp 4 support letters may still be valid for certain applicants, and new applications depend on location (online for Dublin residents or appointments at Garda Stations otherwise).
• This update streamlines the immigration permission transfer process by eliminating an extra application step, benefiting both employers and individuals.
• Holders should ensure they meet all eligibility criteria, including the 21-month residence requirement, and seek advice from immigration counsel if unsure.