How to use the Stamp 1G visa to work in Ireland after graduation

What is the Stamp 1G and who qualifies

The Stamp 1G is an immigration permission that allows non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss, and non-UK graduates to remain in Ireland after completing their studies. You qualify if you hold a valid student visa (Stamp 2), successfully completed a full-time Irish-accredited course at NFQ Level 8 or higher (Honours degree, Master's degree, or PhD), and received written confirmation of your final results from your institution.

The scheme exists because Ireland's government recognizes that graduate job searches take time. You do not need to have a job lined up before applying, and employers do not need to sponsor your visa during this period. This gives you breathing room to build your professional network, apply strategically, and negotiate offers. Use our Stamp 1G Duration Tool to calculate your exact permission window.

Your timeline on Stamp 1G

You can apply as soon as you receive confirmation of your degree result. Apply within six months of receiving your final results; applications after this window are not accepted.

If you hold a Level 9 or Level 10 qualification, you will receive your first 12 months of permission immediately. You can renew for another 12 months if you provide evidence of active job searching. Level 7 graduates who enrolled before May 31, 2017 could access six months; those enrolling after that date are ineligible.

How to apply and what you need

Where you apply depends on your location. If you live in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork, or Limerick, you can apply online. All other applicants must visit their local Garda Síochána (police) registration office in person.

Prepare these documents:

• Your passport or travel document
• Your Stamp 2 (student visa) approval letter or card
• Your degree completion letter or official transcript showing your final results
• Proof of identity (driver's license or national ID)
• Proof of address (utility bill, rental agreement, or bank statement)

The registration fee is €300, payable by credit or debit card. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, you will receive a new Garda registration card with your Stamp 1G permission printed on it.

What you can and cannot do on Stamp 1G

You can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) for any employer in any sector without sector-specific restrictions. You do not need your employer to sponsor your visa, and you do not need an employment permit to start working. This flexibility lets you accept internships, temporary contracts, or entry-level roles while you search for permanent sponsorship.

You cannot access social welfare benefits or public funds. You must maintain your status by living within the terms of your permission. You are not permitted to work as self-employed or run your own business on Stamp 1G (this requires separate authorization).

The Stamp 1G period counts toward Ireland's maximum residency limits for non-EEA students. Level 8 graduates can study or work for a maximum of seven years in Ireland total; Level 9-10 graduates can stay for a maximum of eight years.

Finding jobs and building your network

The Irish job market for graduates is active. In 2024, employers issued a record 39,390 employment permits, a 24% increase from 2023. Healthcare and social work led with 12,501 permits, followed by information technology with 6,788 permits. The employment rate for non-EEA graduates on post-study work visas reached 91% in 2023.

Start your job search immediately after graduation. Use LinkedIn's Ireland job board to search for graduate roles and set up job alerts. GradIreland specializes in graduate jobs, trainee programs, and internships across Ireland. Other platforms include IrishJobs.ie and Jobs.ie, which list vacancies across all sectors.

Attend career fairs and networking events hosted by your university or professional organizations in your field. Many universities collaborate with local businesses and multinational companies to host networking sessions specifically for recent graduates. These events let you meet recruiters before roles are formally posted.

Connect with alumni working in your target industry. LinkedIn alumni groups for your university provide direct access to graduates who have successfully transitioned from Stamp 1G to work visas. Ask about their job search timelines, which companies actively hire graduates, and what impressed interviewers.

Dublin has the highest concentration of opportunities in technology, finance, and pharmaceutical sectors. Cork is strong in pharma and tech. Galway has a growing medical device and tech sector. Limerick offers engineering and IT roles. If you are willing to relocate within Ireland, expanding beyond Dublin significantly increases your options.

Salary expectations and employment permit thresholds

During your Stamp 1G period, you can accept any salary. There is no minimum wage requirement for the visa itself. The Irish minimum wage is €14.15 per hour as of January 2026. At 40 hours per week, minimum wage employment grosses approximately €29,400 per year.

However, salary becomes relevant when you transition from Stamp 1G to a permanent employment permit. Ireland offers two main paths:

General Employment Permit (GEP): Requires a minimum annual salary of €36,605 as of March 2026. For graduates of Irish institutions within 12 months of graduation, the threshold is lower at €34,009. The GEP typically requires a Labour Market Needs Test, meaning your employer must advertise the role for at least 28 days on official employment platforms before offering it to you.

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): Requires a minimum annual salary of €40,904 if your degree is relevant to the role, or €68,911 if it is not. For graduates of recognized institutions (any country) within 12 months of graduation, the salary floor drops to €36,848 with a relevant degree. The CSEP does not require a Labour Market Needs Test, meaning your employer can hire you directly without advertising the role first.

These thresholds increased by approximately 7.66% on March 1, 2026. Plan your salary negotiations knowing these figures: if your target salary is €36,848 in a relevant role, you qualify for the discounted CSEP graduate rate rather than the standard €40,904 rate.

Data scientists, business analysts, and machine learning engineers are among the fastest-growing roles in the Irish job market in 2026. Healthcare and social work roles also attract strong employer interest.

Your interview preparation

Irish employers generally expect structured interviews with multiple rounds. Entry-level graduate roles often include a phone screening, a technical or competency-based interview, and a final round with the hiring manager or team.

Tailor your CV to highlight skills, not just job titles. Irish employers prioritize problem-solving ability, teamwork, and how quickly you can become productive. Include specific projects, results, and metrics where possible.

Research the company thoroughly before your interview. Irish employers notice when candidates know their market position, recent news, or strategic direction. Be ready to explain why you are applying and what specifically attracts you to the role.

Be prepared to discuss your visa status clearly and confidently. Many recruiters have limited immigration knowledge. Explain that you hold a Stamp 1G, can work immediately without sponsorship, and intend to transition to an employment permit once you secure the right role.

Transitioning to permanent work authorization

If you secure a job offer before your Stamp 1G expires, your employer can sponsor your employment permit application. If you hold a CSEP graduate permit (within 12 months of graduating in a relevant role), you can qualify for permanent residency (Stamp 4) after just two years of employment. If you hold a General Employment Permit, you need five years of employment to qualify for permanent residency.

Some employers are unfamiliar with sponsoring visas. Provide them with the government's employment permit guidance or connect them with a professional immigration consultant. Clear the path for your employer, and you increase your chances of receiving an offer.

If you do not secure a role within the first 12 months (for Level 9-10 graduates), you can renew your Stamp 1G for another 12 months by providing evidence of active job searching. Keep records of applications, interviews, and networking efforts.

If you don't find work within Stamp 1G

If your Stamp 1G expires and you have not secured employment, you must leave Ireland or pursue another visa pathway. Some graduates extend their stay by enrolling in further education at a higher NFQ level. Others transition to other visa categories if they have family in Ireland or other grounds for residency. Explore all universities in Ireland.

Plan ahead. Your Stamp 1G is not a guarantee of employment. Start networking six months before graduation. Apply to roles aggressively in your final semester. If you reach month ten on Stamp 1G with no offers, expand your job search to sectors adjacent to your field or consider relocating to regions outside Dublin where competition is lower.

Key contacts and resources

Irish Immigration Service Delivery provides official guidance on Stamp 1G applications and renewals.

ICOS (Irish Council for International Students) offers free advice and support specifically for international graduates navigating the visa system.

Enterprise Ireland's Graduate Programme connects graduates with early-career opportunities at Irish companies.

Your university's careers office remains a resource after graduation. Many universities extend job search support and career coaching to recent graduates for six to twelve months. See our full guide to studying in Ireland.

Sources

• Third Level Graduate Programme - Irish Immigration Service Delivery
• Third Level Graduate Scheme - ICOS
• Ireland Employment Permits Update: 2026 Salary Threshold Changes - Fragomen
• New Employment Permit Salary Thresholds from 1 March 2026 - MRCI
• Ireland Employment Permits Overview - Government of Ireland
• Jobs in Ireland for International Students - LinkedIn Graduate Jobs Board
• GradIreland - Graduate Jobs and Programmes

Graduate Employment Outcomes in Ireland

Employment conditions for international graduates have tightened. According to the Higher Education Authority's most recent Graduate Outcomes report, nine months after finishing studies, 76.8% of international Master's graduates secured employment, compared to 58.7% of undergraduate graduates — below the Irish-domiciled graduate rates of 87.8% and 70.3% respectively.

Youth unemployment in Ireland reached approximately 12% by early 2026. Despite this, sectors with persistent shortages remain open: according to the SOLAS National Skills Bulletin 2025, in-demand fields include science, engineering, ICT, healthcare, and construction. The strongest hiring growth is in tech and IT (34% of employers actively recruiting), operations (30%), and customer service (26%). Related: aligning your degree with Ireland's Critical Skills list and Ireland student visa to Stamp 4.

Salary Expectations for Stamp 1G Graduates

Two-fifths of international graduates earn more than €35,000 annually. Graduate engineers earn approximately €39,000 in their first year. The average entry-level salary across all fields is around €34,000. Stamp 1G carries no salary floor — employers can hire you at any rate, unlike the General Employment Permit (€36,605/year minimum from March 1, 2026) or Critical Skills Employment Permit (€40,904).

Moving from Stamp 1G to a Work Permit

If you secure employment during your Stamp 1G period, you can transition to a Stamp 1 or Stamp 1A work permit at renewal without leaving Ireland. Your employer must sponsor the application and the role must meet the relevant salary threshold. Alternatively, progressing to a higher qualification level (Level 8 to Level 9, for example) before your Stamp 1G expires restarts the pathway, provided you remain within Ireland's overall 7-year student residence limit.

Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Time on Stamp 1G counts toward long-term residence. After 5 years of reckonable residence (combining Stamp 1G, Stamp 1, and Stamp 4 periods), you can apply for Stamp 4 (permanent residence). Irish naturalisation requires 5 years of reckonable residence within the last 9 years, including 1 year of continuous residence immediately before your application plus 4 years within the preceding 8 years.

A Graduate's Experience: Navigating the Job Market

Many employers remain unaware of what Stamp 1G permits and mistakenly assume it creates hiring obstacles. Proactively explaining your status and demonstrating your right to work without employer sponsorship — and without quota restrictions — is essential. Graduate-level networking events such as the GradIreland Careers Fair, the Dublin Tech Summit, and university alumni networks have proven effective for Stamp 1G holders making direct employer contact rather than relying solely on job board submissions.