Can I work in Ireland?
Pick your stamp. The answer changes as you tap.
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Your result
Yes, up to 20 hours a week.
Casual work only. You do not need an employment permit.
More about Stamp 2 →
Every stamp at a glance
Stamp 0: No.You cannot work or run a business, unless your letter of permission says you can.Stamp 1: Only the job on your permit.You can work only in the job your employment permit is for, unless your letter of permission says otherwise.Stamp 1A: Only your training job.You can work only as a trainee accountant under your training contract.Stamp 1G: Yes, full time.You do not need an employment permit while your Stamp 1G is valid. You cannot be self-employed.Stamp 1H: Only as a hospital doctor.You can work as an NCHD in public hospitals and health care facilities while your permit is valid.Stamp 2: Yes, up to 20 hours a week.Casual work only. You do not need an employment permit.Stamp 2A: No.You cannot work on Stamp 2A.Stamp 3: No.You cannot work on Stamp 3. If you are the spouse or partner of an employment permit holder, check if you can move to Stamp 1G.Stamp 4: Yes, any job.You can work for any employer without a permit, and start your own business.Stamp 4D: Check your letter.What you can do is set out in your letter of permission.Stamp 5: Yes.You can work in Ireland without an employment permit.Stamp 6: Yes.You are an Irish citizen and have no immigration conditions.Stamp and permit are different. Immigration Service Delivery, part of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, gives your immigration permission. Your stamp shows it. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment gives employment permits. Most non-EU workers need both.
Types of employment permit
There are 9 types. The most common are Critical Skills and General.
See all 9 typesCritical Skills, General, Intra-Company Transfer, Dependant, Partner or Spouse, Contract for Services, Reactivation, Internship, Sport and Cultural, Exchange AgreementYour pay
- Since 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage is €14.15 an hour for people aged 20 and over. Lower rates apply under 20.
- The government has announced a rise to €14.94 an hour from 1 January 2027. This still needs a new law.
Problems with pay, hours or your employer? The Workplace Relations Commission can help.
Contact the Workplace Relations Commission (official site)Where this information comes from
We checked this page against these official pages on .
- Immigration permission/stampsImmigration Service Delivery
- Employment permit typesDepartment of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
- Minimum wageCitizens Information
- Third level graduate programmeImmigration Service Delivery
- Eligible spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee permit holdersImmigration Service Delivery
- Student permissionImmigration Service Delivery
- EU Treaty RightsImmigration Service Delivery
- Without condition as to time (Stamp 5)Immigration Service Delivery
This is a summary, not legal advice. Your own letter of permission is the final word.