Documents for the main Stamp 4 routes: Critical Skills after 21 months, Hosting Agreement researchers, NCHDs, General Employment Permit / ICT after 57 months, and spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen. Tick off each item as you gather it.
Stamp 4 is not only for spouses. It can also be granted through employment-permit routes, including Critical Skills after the qualifying period. Medical insurance is mainly a first-time spouse/civil partner registration issue; employment-permit upgrades have a different evidence list.
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1. Registration or renewal booking
Book online before your appointment
2 items
Required
Appointment booked via registerireland.ie (Dublin) or local Garda station
Outside Dublin, registration is with your local ISD office or Garda station — check irishimmigration.ie for the office covering your address
Required
Registration fee — €300
Some routes are fee-exempt, including spouse/widow/widower/civil partner of an Irish citizen. Employment-permit upgrades normally follow standard registration/renewal rules.
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2. Identity documents
Required for all Stamp 4 routes
3 items
Required
Your valid passport — original
Valid 6+ months beyond intended stay
Required
Sponsor passport / route evidence, if applicable
For spouse route: Irish citizen spouse's passport biometric page. For employment routes: your employment permit, Hosting Agreement or other qualifying route evidence.
Conditional
Current IRP card, if switching from another stamp
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3. Employment-permit Stamp 4 upgrade
Critical Skills, Hosting Agreement, NCHD, General Permit and ICT routes
7 items
Required
Qualifying period checked
21 months for Critical Skills Employment Permit, Hosting Agreement researcher, or NCHD Multi-Site General Employment Permit. 57 months for General Employment Permit or Intra-Company Transfer routes.
Required
Current IRP card — front and back copy
Shows your current Stamp 1 or Stamp 1H permission and registration history.
Required
Relevant Employment Permit or Hosting Agreement copies
Include all permits/agreements covering the qualifying period.
Required
Most recent payslip
Required
Employer letter dated within the last 3 months
Should confirm job title, employment location and dates of employment.
Required
Employment Detail Summaries for each year of employment
Available from Revenue myAccount. They should cover the duration of the relevant employment permit or hosting agreement period.
Note
DETE Stamp 4 support letter no longer required for new cases
Since 30 November 2023, applicants who did not already apply to DETE for a support letter provide evidence directly for Stamp 4 registration/renewal.
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4. Spouse / civil partner of Irish citizen route
Religious ceremony alone is not sufficient
3 items
Original
Civil marriage certificate
Issued by the Irish civil registration system, or an overseas civil marriage certificate that has been authenticated. A religious ceremony certificate alone is NOT accepted.
Required
Proof of current shared address
Utility bills, bank statements, or a lease agreement in both names, dated within the last 3 months
Conditional
Evidence of genuine cohabitation
Joint bills going back several months strengthen the application — helpful but not always mandatory if marriage cert + shared address already satisfy the officer
Private medical insurance or travel insurance with medical cover
Must cover accidents and medical incidents, including hospital stays, in Ireland. Policy must be in your own name, valid for 12 months (or the duration of your stay if shorter). Bring the full policy document, not just a confirmation email. Not required when renewing an existing Stamp 4.
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6. Address & entry evidence
If entering Ireland to join your spouse, or if requested for another route
3 items
Conditional
Entry stamp / D-visa confirmation
If you entered Ireland on a D visa to join your spouse
Conditional
Immigration permission letter
If applicable — from the Department of Justice detailing the conditions under which Stamp 4 is being granted
Required
Two passport-sized photographs
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7. Previous refusals & declarations
Non-disclosure can result in refusal
1 item
Conditional
Previous visa refusals declared, with original refusal letter
If refused a visa by any country previously. Not disclosing a previous refusal results in automatic refusal of this application.
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8. Good to know before your appointment
Not checklist items, but worth knowing
2 items
Note
Renewal does NOT require medical insurance
The insurance requirement applies to first-time registration only. Don't waste money renewing a policy you no longer need at renewal time — but do check the current document list, as ISD requirements can change.
Note
Stamp 4 gives full work rights immediately on grant
Unlike Stamp 3 (no work allowed), Stamp 4 lets you work for any employer, change jobs freely, and self-employ from the moment it's granted
Time on Stamp 4 counts toward citizenship. Once you've accumulated 1,825 days (5 years) of reckonable residence — including via Stamp 4 — you may be eligible to apply for naturalisation. Check your eligibility with the calculator →
Not legal advice. Requirements may vary by individual circumstances and can change. Always verify the latest requirements at irishimmigration.ie Stamp 4 upgrades and the ISD required documents page before your appointment. CitizenshipCalculator.com is not affiliated with the Irish Government.
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