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Residency Permits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (118)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

118. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the options that are open to gain permanent residence for a Columbian national currently resident on a study and work visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16256/22]

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Written answers

Ireland welcomes international students who wish to live here in order to pursue a full-time course of study.

Their primary purpose for being in the State is as a student. However, since April 2001, non-EEA students with an immigration Stamp 2 permission, and who are enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) including English language courses, have been afforded the opportunity to work.

This allows them to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time, non-EEA students can work up to 20 hours per week and during normal college holiday periods they can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.

The Stamp 2 permission will typically expire shortly after the conclusion of the course. The person will then need to leave the State or seek a change of permission, if they met the criteria.

Further information is available on my Department's website at:

www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/changing-your-immigration-permission/.

For those students who have Graduated with a level 8 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications Framework (NFQ) a Stamp 1G may be provided in order to assist students who are making genuine efforts to access suitable graduate level employment for example attending job interviews or signing up with graduate employment agencies.

A Stamp 1G indicates that a person has permission to look for employment in the State under the Third Level Graduate Programme. When an applicant has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above, that person may qualify for a Stamp 1G for 12 months. Where an individual receives an award at Level 9 NFQ, they may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years on student conditions that applies. Graduates at level 9 NFQ or above who qualify for a Stamp 1G permission will be granted the permission for 12 months initially.

Following the period on the Stamp 1G it is open to the Graduate and any prospective employer to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an employment permit. If the application is successful, they can register on a Stamp 1 immigration permission.

Thereafter, it is open to any person who has been legally resident in Ireland for a minimum of 60 months (five years) to make an application for Long Term Residency or Naturalisation, subject to meeting the required criteria. Further details are available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie.

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