Stamp 1G: how long can you stay and work in Ireland after your degree?
After a master's degree in Ireland, Stamp 1G lets you stay and look for work for 12 months. It can be renewed for a further 12 months, so up to 2 years in total. After an honours bachelor's degree (Level 8), you get 12 months. You must already hold Stamp 2 and apply within 6 months of being told you have achieved your award.
Written by Ananta Deepti · Last verified 29 Sep 2026 · Sources below
What is Stamp 1G?
Stamp 1G is the permission you hold under Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme. It lets non-EEA graduates of Irish institutions stay in Ireland to look for work. With Stamp 1G, you can work full time, and you do not need an employment permit. You cannot run a business or be self-employed. (Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme; Irish Immigration Service: Immigration stamps)
How long can I stay in Ireland after my master's?
| Your Irish award | First grant | Renewal | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours bachelor's (NFQ Level 8) | 12 months | None | 12 months |
| Master's or higher (NFQ Level 9 or above) | 12 months | 12 more months | 24 months |
The 12-month renewal is not automatic. You need to show the immigration authorities that you have taken appropriate steps to find suitable graduate-level work.
There are also overall limits. Time on Stamp 2 as a student and on Stamp 1G together cannot go past 7 years in total, and the overall limit on student conditions is 8 years. You can use the programme on no more than two separate occasions.
Who is eligible for Stamp 1G?
- You hold a current Stamp 2 student permission.
- Your award is at Level 8 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications and comes from a recognised Irish awarding body, such as an Irish university or QQI.
- You apply within 6 months of being told by your awarding body or institution that you have achieved your award.
- You can show your final award, either the parchment or, if you have not graduated yet, an official letter from the institution confirming the award.
(Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme)
How do I apply, and what does it cost?
You apply through the Irish Immigration Service's online renewals portal. This covers moving from Stamp 2 to Stamp 1G. The fee is €300 (about ₹33,000). (Irish Immigration Service: Renewing your permission; Irish Immigration Service: Registration FAQs)
Keep your passport, your parchment or award letter, and your medical insurance ready.
The INR figure uses the FBIL reference rate of ₹109.83 per €1 on 22 September 2026 (FBIL reference rates). The rupee amount you pay will depend on the rate on the day.
What can I do after Stamp 1G ends?
To stay on, you would normally need an employment permit, such as a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit, which depends on a qualifying job offer. The Department of Enterprise sets the salary and occupation rules. (Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit)
Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply directly to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4 once the permit's duration is complete. Stamp 4 lets you live and work without an employment permit.
What this means for you
- Treat 12 months as your real first window. The second year depends on showing a genuine job search, so keep a record of applications and interviews from the start.
- Watch the 6-month deadline. It runs from when you are told you have achieved your award, not from your graduation ceremony.
- Check the level of your award before you choose a course. A Level 9 master's gives access to up to 24 months. A Level 8 award gives 12 months.
- If you are comparing Ireland with the UK, see our guide to the UK Graduate Route. Our study abroad destinations guide compares the countries we support.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stamp 1G 2 years for master's students in Ireland?
Up to 2 years. It is granted for 12 months first and can be renewed for 12 more if you show you have taken appropriate steps to find graduate-level work.
Can I work full time on Stamp 1G?
Yes. You can work full time without an employment permit, but you cannot be self-employed or run a business.
When should I apply for Stamp 1G?
Within 6 months of being told you have achieved your award, while you still hold Stamp 2.
How much is the Stamp 1G fee?
The registration fee is €300.
Can I get Stamp 1G more than once?
You can use the programme on no more than two separate occasions, within the overall time limits.
Sources
- Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme
- Irish Immigration Service: Immigration permission stamps
- Irish Immigration Service: Renewing your registration permission
- Irish Immigration Service: Registration FAQs
- Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit
- FBIL reference rates (EUR/INR, 22 Sep 2026)
Last verified: 29 Sep 2026
Updated 29 Sep 2026: rewritten; corrected the length of stay for doctoral and bachelor's graduates and added the renewal, deadline and fee rules.
Thinking about a master's in Ireland and how it fits your career plans? Talk to a Conduira counsellor. Request your free profile evaluation. You can also see how we support you from shortlisting to visa.
After a master's degree in Ireland, Stamp 1G lets you stay and look for work for 12 months. It can be renewed for a further 12 months, so up to 2 years in total. After an honours bachelor's degree (Level 8), you get 12 months. You must already hold Stamp 2 and apply within 6 months of being told you have achieved your award.
Written by Ananta Deepti · Last verified 29 Sep 2026 · Sources below
## What is Stamp 1G?
Stamp 1G is the permission you hold under Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme. It lets non-EEA graduates of Irish institutions stay in Ireland to look for work. With Stamp 1G, you can work full time, and you do not need an employment permit. You cannot run a business or be self-employed. ([Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/third-level-graduate-programme/); [Irish Immigration Service: Immigration stamps](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/information-on-registering/immigration-permission-stamps/))
## How long can I stay in Ireland after my master's?
| Your Irish award | First grant | Renewal | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours bachelor's (NFQ Level 8) | 12 months | None | 12 months |
| Master's or higher (NFQ Level 9 or above) | 12 months | 12 more months | 24 months |
The 12-month renewal is not automatic. You need to show the immigration authorities that you have taken appropriate steps to find suitable graduate-level work.
There are also overall limits. Time on Stamp 2 as a student and on Stamp 1G together cannot go past 7 years in total, and the overall limit on student conditions is 8 years. You can use the programme on no more than two separate occasions.
## Who is eligible for Stamp 1G?
- You hold a current Stamp 2 student permission.
- Your award is at Level 8 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications and comes from a recognised Irish awarding body, such as an Irish university or QQI.
- You apply within 6 months of being told by your awarding body or institution that you have achieved your award.
- You can show your final award, either the parchment or, if you have not graduated yet, an official letter from the institution confirming the award.
([Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/third-level-graduate-programme/))
## How do I apply, and what does it cost?
You apply through the Irish Immigration Service's online renewals portal. This covers moving from Stamp 2 to Stamp 1G. The fee is €300 (about ₹33,000). ([Irish Immigration Service: Renewing your permission](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/); [Irish Immigration Service: Registration FAQs](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/frequently-asked-questions-for-registration/))
Keep your passport, your parchment or award letter, and your medical insurance ready.
The INR figure uses the FBIL reference rate of ₹109.83 per €1 on 22 September 2026 ([FBIL reference rates](https://www.fbil.org.in/)). The rupee amount you pay will depend on the rate on the day.
## What can I do after Stamp 1G ends?
To stay on, you would normally need an employment permit, such as a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit, which depends on a qualifying job offer. The Department of Enterprise sets the salary and occupation rules. ([Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit](https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/critical-skills-employment-permit/))
Critical Skills Employment Permit holders can apply directly to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4 once the permit's duration is complete. Stamp 4 lets you live and work without an employment permit.
## What this means for you
- Treat 12 months as your real first window. The second year depends on showing a genuine job search, so keep a record of applications and interviews from the start.
- Watch the 6-month deadline. It runs from when you are told you have achieved your award, not from your graduation ceremony.
- Check the level of your award before you choose a course. A Level 9 master's gives access to up to 24 months. A Level 8 award gives 12 months.
- If you are comparing Ireland with the UK, see our guide to the [UK Graduate Route](/blog/what-is-the-current-rule-for-post-graduate-work-visa-in-the-uk). Our [study abroad destinations guide](/destinations) compares the countries we support.
## Frequently asked questions
Is Stamp 1G 2 years for master's students in Ireland?
Up to 2 years. It is granted for 12 months first and can be renewed for 12 more if you show you have taken appropriate steps to find graduate-level work.
Can I work full time on Stamp 1G?
Yes. You can work full time without an employment permit, but you cannot be self-employed or run a business.
When should I apply for Stamp 1G?
Within 6 months of being told you have achieved your award, while you still hold Stamp 2.
How much is the Stamp 1G fee?
The registration fee is €300.
Can I get Stamp 1G more than once?
You can use the programme on no more than two separate occasions, within the overall time limits.
## Sources
- [Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/third-level-graduate-programme/)
- [Irish Immigration Service: Immigration permission stamps](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/information-on-registering/immigration-permission-stamps/)
- [Irish Immigration Service: Renewing your registration permission](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/)
- [Irish Immigration Service: Registration FAQs](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/frequently-asked-questions-for-registration/)
- [Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit](https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/permit-types/critical-skills-employment-permit/)
- [FBIL reference rates](https://www.fbil.org.in/) (EUR/INR, 22 Sep 2026)
Last verified: 29 Sep 2026
Updated 29 Sep 2026: rewritten; corrected the length of stay for doctoral and bachelor's graduates and added the renewal, deadline and fee rules.
Thinking about a master's in Ireland and how it fits your career plans? Talk to a Conduira counsellor. [Request your free profile evaluation](https://www.conduira.com/talk-to-us-for-a-profile-evaluation). You can also see [how we support you from shortlisting to visa](/our-services).
