Ireland Third Level Graduate Programme: Stamp 1G to Longer-Term Work Permission Explained

Who can use the Third Level Graduate Programme?

The programme is for legally resident non-EEA graduates who hold a qualifying award from a recognised Irish awarding body. Applicants generally need to hold current Stamp 2 student permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card. They must apply within six months of being notified by the awarding body that they have achieved the award.

The award must be at the relevant level on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The institution and award must be recognised under the programme rules. Students should confirm eligibility with their institution and the current ISD policy before relying on a post-study stay-back period.

What can a graduate do on Stamp 1G?

Stamp 1G allows eligible graduates to seek graduate-level employment and work full time in accordance with employment law. It does not permit the holder to operate a business or be self-employed. The permission is designed to give graduates time to find a role that may support an employment permit application.

The graduate should use this period actively: apply for suitable jobs, attend interviews, register with graduate recruitment agencies, build professional networks and keep evidence of job-search activity—particularly if seeking the second year available to eligible Level 9+ graduates.

Stamp 1G to employment permit: the practical transition

1. Complete the recognised Irish qualification and obtain formal notification of the award.
2. Check eligibility and apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme within the six-month application window.
3. Register the graduate permission and check the expiry date and conditions on the immigration record.
4. Search for graduate-level roles that match the qualification, skills and experience.
5. Check whether the role is eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) or General Employment Permit (GEP).
6. Ensure the employer, salary, occupation, job duration and other permit conditions are satisfied.
7. Submit the employment permit application with sufficient lead time before the intended employment start date.
8. After approval, follow the relevant registration and immigration permission process. Do not continue relying on Stamp 1G after it expires.

Does Stamp 1G lead to Stamp 4?

Not directly. Stamp 1G is a graduate permission. A graduate may later qualify for an employment permit and, after meeting the applicable residence and employment conditions, may become eligible for a different immigration permission. The conditions depend on the permit type, time spent working, reckonable residence and the rules in force.

CSEP holders may be eligible to apply for Stamp 4 after the required period of employment under the permit rules, subject to the current conditions. A General Employment Permit holder may have a different qualifying timeline. Stamp 4 eligibility should be assessed against the current ISD policy; it is not guaranteed by completing a course or holding Stamp 1G.

What the Stamp Transition Timeline should show

• Course completion and official award notification date.
• Latest date to apply for Stamp 1G (six months from award notification, subject to rules).
• Initial Stamp 1G expiry date and any Level 9+ renewal window.
• Job-search milestones and evidence to retain.
• Employment permit application lead time and expected decision window.
• Permit start date, minimum period with the initial employer where applicable, and possible future Stamp 4 eligibility review date.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming every Irish college or every course qualifies for the graduate programme.
• Confusing the date of final exams with the formal date of award notification.
• Missing the six-month application deadline.
• Assuming Stamp 1G allows self-employment or business operation.
• Accepting a role without checking whether it meets employment permit requirements.
• Treating Stamp 1G as a guaranteed two-year permission or a guaranteed PR route.