DETE to Cease Stamp 4 Support Letters

What is the change?

Effective from 30 November 2023, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) will cease taking applications for Stamp 4 support letters. This will impact Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, Researchers on a Hosting Agreement, and NCHD Multi-Site General Employment Permit holders wishing to transfer to a Stamp 4 Immigration permission.

Key points:

• Implementation time frame: From 30th of November 2023

• Who is affected: Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders, Researchers on a Hosting Agreement (RHA), and Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (on the basis of a Multi-Site General Employment Permit) (NCHD) holders wishing to transfer to a Stamp 4 Immigration permission.

• Next Steps: The ceasing of processing Stamp 4 support letters will not impact those already in process and applications made before the 30th of November 2023.

Those in a position to apply for a Stamp 4 support letter should continue to submit their applications until 30 November 2023. After this date, applications for Stamp 4 Immigration permission would proceed as renewal permissions via ISD.

Analysis & Comments:

Deloitte welcomes this change as it demonstrates the beginning of the development of the single application procedure for both employment permits and Irish residence permissions.

The implementation of this new process will continue the plan to streamline the Immigration renewal process. For qualifying Stamp 1 holders, this will no longer include the requirement to submit a separate Stamp 4 support application with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Should an employee fulfil the requirement, they will instead apply directly to the ISD for their Stamp 4 IRP card.

The Department of Justice has confirmed that all renewal applications can be submitted up to 12 weeks prior to their expiry date which should allow ample time to process the application in advance of the expiry of their current permission.

The ISD renewal application requires the standard Stamp 4 supporting document as part of their renewal, more information of which can be found here.

Whilst this is a welcome approach it is important to note that the applicant must have completed, a total of 21 months under a Stamp 1 or a Stamp 1H to utilise the new renewal process and therefore there are other considerations to consider for those who have not yet achieved this requirement.

If you require any assistance with the above update, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.