Stamp 0 Ireland
The immigration stamps system in Ireland is a form of Irish visa that offers residency and work permits to foreign nationals who wish to spend time in Ireland. The stamp system does not apply to EU, EEA or Swiss citizens. Stamp 0 is offered to those who wish to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, and must usually be fully financially self-sufficient, be the elderly dependent parents of an Irish resident, or be a visiting academic.
The Irish immigration stamp system can be complicated, and you may be confused about which stamp you are eligible for. IAS can help. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
What is Stamp 0?
Stamp 0 is an Irish immigration permission that allows foreign nationals to reside in Ireland for a temporary period of time. The Irish stamp system does not apply to citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland. The relevant stamp is put into your passport or travel document when you travel to Ireland.
Stamp 0 is specifically offered to foreign nationals who qualify as the following:
- Dependent elderly parents of an Irish citizen or permanent resident of Ireland
- People with financial resources to have personal complete financial responsibility whilst living in Ireland
- Visiting academics who will be working at an Irish university or college but are receiving payment from the institution they work for in their country of origin
Please note that time spent in Ireland with Stamp 0 does not contribute towards reckonable residence and therefore doesn’t count as a step towards Irish citizenship.
Page Contents
- What is Stamp 0?
- Am I Eligible for Ireland Stamp 0?
- What Can I Do with Stamp 0 Ireland?
- What Are the Restrictions of Stamp 0 Ireland?
- What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Stamp 0?
- How to Apply for Ireland Stamp 0
- How Do I Apply for a Visa for Ireland with Stamp 0?
- How Much is a Visa for Ireland Stamp 0?
- How Long Does It Take to Receive Stamp 0?
- How Can IAS Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I Eligible for Ireland Stamp 0?
Eligibility for Stamp 0 depends on your individual circumstances. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis, so the criteria outlined below may be less or more extensive than might apply to your circumstances.
Elderly Dependent Relative of Irish Nationals
Elderly dependent relatives of someone with Irish citizenship or an Irish residence permit are likely to qualify for Stamp 0. Generally, Stamp 0 is not offered to family members other than parents unless in particularly exceptional circumstances.
Stamp 0 for a dependent relative is offered via the family reunification immigration route.
In order to qualify, the sponsored elderly dependent relative(s) must:
- Be considered already supported financially or socially by the sponsor, to a point that living independently without the sponsor would be considered unsustainable or impossible and therefore support from the sponsor is essential
- Be fully covered for private medical insurance at or above the level of VHI plan D or equivalent.
In order to qualify, the sponsor must be able to provide:
- Proof of relationship with the elderly relative (i.e. birth certificate evidence or similar)
- Six months of financial documentation (payslips or bank statements)
- Proof of finances for the previous three years prior to application, showcasing that they earn individually or collectively with their partner the minimum financial criteria of €60,000 per year for one elderly relative, or €75,000 for two
- A signature to confirm the legal undertaking of personal complete financial responsibility for the relative.
In some cases, if there is clear evidence that the dependent relative has guaranteed income from other means, this may be able to be used to offset the high income financial requirements for the Irish resident. However, if the elderly dependent relative has a considerable source of income, then this will unlikely qualify them as dependent and therefore not eligible to apply via this route.
Person of Independent Means/Retiree
In order to be eligible for Stamp 0 as a person of independent means or retiree, generally you must meet the following criteria:
- Have access to a financial lump sum to be able to cover any emergency expenses, equal to the price of purchasing a property in Ireland
- Have a minimum annual income of €50,000 per person per annum
Visiting Academics and Researchers
In order to be eligible for Stamp 0 as a person of independent means or retiree, generally you must meet the following criteria:
- Be paid from outside the state of Ireland by their institution of employment abroad
- Intend to stay in Ireland for a maximum of 12 months.
What Can I Do with Stamp 0 Ireland?
People who are granted Stamp 0 can reside in Ireland for a temporary period of time according to the rules and regulations of their individual permit. This varies according to whether you are applying as a dependent relative, a financially independent person, or an academic or researcher.
Generally, you can:
- Live and travel freely in Ireland for up to 12 months on an annual basis
- Volunteer (unpaid)
- Rent or purchase property.
What Are the Restrictions of Stamp 0 Ireland?
Stamp 0 is a low-level immigration status that requires you to be financially self-sufficient. You cannot:
- Undertake any form of paid employment in Ireland
- Establish or operate a business in Ireland
- Engage in a profession in Ireland
- Have a family member join you on the basis of your residing in Ireland
- Receive publicly funded services
- Enter without fully comprehensive private medical insurance that covers the duration of your permitted stay in Ireland
- Break any immigration or state laws
- Leave Ireland to reside elsewhere during your permit validity period.
If you are unsure whether Stamp 0 is right for you, your circumstances may make you eligible for a different Stamp. Immigration Advice Services can help. Contact us today online or call us +44 (0)333 305 9375 for advice and support with the Irish stamp system.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Stamp 0?
Overview
All applicants will be required to submit the following required documentation to apply for a Stamp 0 permit:
- Your current passport valid passport
- A copy of your birth certificate
- Application letter explaining your reasons for applying for permission to remain in Ireland on Stamp 0
- Details of all family members resident in Ireland and their legal status
- Financial documents proving all finances available to you (6 months of bank statements)
- Proof of full cover medical insurance for private hospitals
- Criminal background check from your country of origin
- A health declaration (letter from a doctor detailing your state of health)
- Any further required documents or evidence to support your case.
Visiting Academics
In addition to the documents outlined above, visiting academics will also be required to submit:
- A letter from your college or university detailing your position at the Irish college and confirming that you will be paid by your foreign college or university whilst in Ireland.
Elderly Dependants
In addition to the documents outlined above, elderly dependants of Irish nationals will also be required to submit:
- Proof of your relationship to the Irish sponsor (for example their birth certificate)
- Proof of sponsor finances (6 months of payslips or bank statements)
- Proof that the sponsor and their spouse/partner earn, after tax and for the three years prior to application, at least €60,000 for one elderly dependent or €75,000 for two elderly dependants
- Proof of address and accommodation arranged for the applicant(s).
Financially Independent Applicants/Retirees
In addition to the documents outlined above, those wishing to enter Ireland to retire will also be required to submit:
- Copy of marriage certificate, if applicable
- Details of Irish Associations
- Proof of readily accessible finances and/or pension income, verified by an accountant based in Ireland detailing annual income and financial liabilities (investment sums aren’t usually required). This should be provided in spreadsheet form and converted into euros.
How to Apply for Ireland Stamp 0
Overview
The application process varies according to your circumstances. However, each applicant must first apply for preclearance, i.e. permission to remain in Ireland.
A visa-required person can only apply from outside of Ireland, whereas non-visa required nationals who qualify for Stamp 0 can apply from inside or outside of the country.
Applying for Stamp 0 and any applicable visas can be complicated. IAS can help. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
To Receive Permission to Stay in Ireland
Once you have all your relevant documents, you can then apply for Stamp 0 from abroad or in Ireland. The application process is as follows:
- Submit your application for Stamp 0 and await a response
- If you are successful, you will receive a Conditional Letter of Offer from the The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). This letter will include details and instructions regarding the valid length of stay for your permit and what to do once your permit expires
- Apply for the visa relevant to your circumstances, if applicable.
There is a different application process depending on which Stamp 0 category you belong to, and whether you require a visa.
If you are a non-visa required person, once you have received your Conditional Letter of Offer, you are allowed to travel to Ireland.
Once You Have Been Granted Permission to Stay in Ireland
Once you have received permission to remain in Ireland from INIS and have been granted a visa (if applicable), you need to send a signed agreement form and your passport to the address below in order to receive your Stamp 0:
Unit 2
Domestic Residence and Permissions Division
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
D02 XK70
This step can be completed once you have arrived in Ireland. You will also need to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Applicants must sign an undertaking to confirm that they will abide by the Stamp 0 immigration rules and restrictions.
You must then register at the local immigration office, either at the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) also known as the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), for permission to remain within 90 days. ISD supports cases based in Dublin city and county, and the GNIB supports those living in other parts of Ireland.
Once you have registered, you will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP). This card proves that you legally reside in Ireland and must be carried with you at all times.
How Do I Apply for a Visa for Ireland with Stamp 0?
Overview
If you require a visa, you must apply online. If you’re not sure whether or not you need a visa, you can get in touch with us to find out. Contact us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Applications can only be made from outside of Ireland; please note you cannot enter Ireland on a C Visit visa and then apply for leave to remain.
Visa-required applicants must also go through a preclearance procedure. You must pay a fee of €100 for the application.
Visa-required people should get in touch with their local visa office or Irish Embassy to apply for their visa.
Visa Application Process for Elderly Dependants
Visa-required elderly dependents must apply for family reunification through the D-Join visa. Once you have received your Conditional Letter of Offer from Irish immigration, you can then apply for the visa. Please note you cannot apply for the D-Join visa without this letter.
Visa Application Process for Retired Persons/Independent
If you wish to gain permission to reside in Ireland as a person of independent means or as a retired person, you should apply for a D-Reside visa.
When applying for this visa, you must submit your Conditional Letter of Offer from INIS with the application.
Once you have been granted both Stamp 0 and the D-Reside visa, you will be able to travel to Ireland.
Visa Application Process for Visiting Academics/Researchers
If you wish to gain permission to reside in Ireland as a visiting academic or researcher, you should apply for a long-stay ‘D’ visa and tick the box that says ‘other’. You should clearly state in detail your reasons for travelling to Ireland and your academic itinerary during your period of stay.
Once you have been granted both Stamp 0 and your visa, you can travel to Ireland.
How Much is a Visa for Ireland Stamp 0?
In general, visa applications for Ireland cost:
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Entry | €60 |
| Multiple Entry | €100 |
| Transit | €25 |
This is subject to change and does not include other costs, such as additional processing fees, document translation or travel.
Applicants Exempt from Visa Fees
Applicant who fit the following criteria should be exempt from visa fees:
- Family members of Irish citizens (spouses and children)
- Qualifying family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens – i.e. Beneficiaries of Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive)
- Nationals of the countries involved in the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme who are also long term legal UK residents
- Holders of diplomatic, service or official passports travelling to Ireland on duty
- Programme Refugees or those entering under exceptional humanitarian circumstances
- Citizens of Bosnia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Stamp 0?
In general, you should expect the first stage of the application to take 4-8 weeks before you receive a response.
If you then have to apply for a visa, this could also take up to 8 weeks or longer. If you are called in to interview, need to submit further documentation, or have any other issues with your application, this could potentially delay the process significantly. It is therefore vital that you don’t make any plans to travel to Ireland until you have received your Conditional Letter of Offer and your visa.
How Can IAS Help?
Ireland is a very popular choice for thousands of people around the world to visit, work, and reside. As a result, stamp permission applications are high, and can take a considerable amount of time to process.
This means that it can be very stressful to apply for residence in Ireland, particularly if you are supporting an elderly relative through the process who is not in the country with you. It can also be difficult to understand whether your financial circumstances will qualify for the financial requirements of this permission.
If you are looking to move to Ireland on Stamp 0 for academic or research purposes, then you may be unsure about how the institutions are employing you and whether this would invalidate your claim for Stamp 0.
That’s why IAS is here. We have a team of expert immigration lawyers that can guide you through every step of the process, and advise you on the best course of action to take based on your unique set of circumstances. Whether you simply want advice on whether Stamp 0 is right for you, or if you require a legal expert to help you through the process of moving an elderly relative to Ireland with you, we can help.
Contact us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Last modified on August 31st, 2023 at 10:23 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
In general, Stamp 0 is valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed on an annual basis, assuming the applicant maintains eligibility. Please note that time spent in Ireland with Stamp 0 is not considered time contributed towards reckonable residence.
Yes. You will not be permitted to reside in Ireland without evidence of private medical cover being submitted. You should clearly state your future intentions to purchase private medical treatment in your letter of application. You should provide proof of insurance once you enter Ireland, i.e. when you submit your passport for the stamp.
No, Stamp 0 does not allow you to take on any form of employment working for a business in Ireland. If you wish to search for employment in Ireland, you may qualify for another stamp option under the stamp system.