Stamp 1G (Ireland)

Stamp 1G is one of the numbered permissions recorded on the Irish Residence Permit. Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) uses it for two different groups: family members of people working on employment permits, and graduates who have just finished study in Ireland. Both can take up employment, but neither can set up a business or be self-employed.

If you move to Ireland as a nurse or doctor and your spouse or partner joins you, this is usually the stamp that lets them work. ISD says spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders get Stamp 1G. Since 15 May 2024 the same applies to spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee permit holders, and of non-consultant hospital doctors on a Multi-Site General Employment Permit, once they are granted family reunification. Before then many were registered on Stamp 3, which does not allow work. Spouses already holding a valid Stamp 3 on that date had their permission changed to Stamp 1G conditions automatically, and receive a Stamp 1G card when they next renew.

• Work without an employment permit, and study.
• No business and no self-employment.
• Renew the registration every year. ISD says after 5 years on Stamp 1G you may apply for Stamp 4.

It covers spouses and partners only, not children or other relatives, and not a spouse who is in Ireland on another permission such as a student or visitor.

Under the Third Level Graduate Programme, a non-EEA student on Stamp 2 who achieves a Level 8 award from a recognised Irish awarding body can stay for 12 months to look for graduate-level work and apply for an employment permit. Level 9 graduates get 12 months, renewable for 12 more if they show they are seeking suitable work. You must apply within six months of being told you achieved the award, and overall limits of seven and eight years on student permissions apply. Registration costs €300. ISD says the purpose is to find graduate-level work and apply for a General or Critical Skills Employment Permit or a research hosting agreement, so it suits someone who studied a health-related master's degree in Ireland and wants to stay.

1. Spouse or partner: apply to join your family member under ISD's family reunification process, then register in Ireland within 90 days of arrival.
2. Graduate: apply through ISD's online renewal portal, which handles moves from Stamp 2 to Stamp 1G, with your award, passport and medical insurance.

• Expecting it to cover practice. A spouse who is a nurse or therapist can work on Stamp 1G, but still needs registration with NMBI, CORU or the relevant regulator.
• Self-employment. Locum or agency work set up as self-employment is not allowed on Stamp 1G.
• Graduate expiry. When graduate Stamp 1G ends you need an employment permit to keep working.