Ireland’s Stamp 2 student permission allows eligible international students to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during specified holiday periods. This 2027 guide explains Stamp 2 work-hour limits, student eligibility, employment restrictions, and the requirements for maintaining your immigration permission.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute official legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies and requirements are subject to change. Always verify current guidance directly with official government sources or consult a qualified immigration adviser before making decisions.
What is Stamp 2 in Ireland?
Stamp 2 is an Irish immigration permission that allows eligible international students to study a qualifying full-time programme and undertake limited employment, subject to the conditions of their permission.
It is generally available to eligible non-EEA and non-Swiss students enrolled in qualifying programmes. Before enrolling, check the current Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) and the applicable requirements published by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card records your immigration registration and permission. The standard registration fee is €300 where applicable, although exemptions exist. Check the current ISD registration guidance for fees and renewal requirements.
Stamp 2 employment rights can help students gain experience and supplement their living expenses. However, you must be able to support yourself financially without relying on income from casual employment.
How Many Hours Can You Work on Stamp 2?
The number of hours you can work depends on whether you are within the standard term-time period or one of Ireland’s specified holiday periods.
Term Time: 20 Hours Per Week
During term time, you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. This is a combined limit. If you work two part-time jobs, your total hours across both jobs must not go above 20 hours in any single week.
Warning! Working beyond your immigration permission may affect your ability to renew that permission or make future immigration applications. For information about the consequences of breaching immigration conditions, consult ISD's immigration permission guidance.
Official Holiday Periods: 40 Hours Per Week
During official government-designated holiday periods, your limit increases to 40 hours per week. During these specific calendar months, you can work more hours and take on temporary full-time positions.
Note: The 40-hour limit still applies during designated holiday periods. You cannot work unlimited hours, even during the summer break. The limit is 40 hours per week.
What Counts as an Official Holiday Period?
The 40-hour work limit applies only during specific standardized dates set by the Irish Department of Justice and ISD. Individual institutions cannot alter these national dates:
- Summer Holiday Window: June 1 to September 30 (4 months)
- Winter Holiday Window: December 15 to January 15 (1 month)
Important Exception: Mid-term breaks, reading weeks, and Easter holidays are not national 40-hour holiday periods under ISD rules. During Easter and mid-term breaks, you remain restricted to the standard 20 hours per week maximum unless your course officially finishes.
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Work You Are Not Allowed to Do on Stamp 2
Stamp 2 permits limited employment, subject to the conditions of your immigration permission. It does not generally allow you to become self-employed or operate a business.
As a Stamp 2 student, you must not:
- Work as a self-employed person.
- Operate your own business or engage in another business or trade.
- Assume that freelance or independent-contracting work is permitted simply because it is performed online.
Note: If you want to work in a graduate capacity after you finish your course, you will need to apply for Stamp 1G (the Third Level Graduate Programme). This is a separate permission that allows you to work full-time while you look for a graduate-level job. Read our guide to careers and graduate pathways in Ireland.
Your Full Stamp 2 Conditions at a Glance
These are the main conditions you must follow to keep your Stamp 2 valid:
How to Keep Your Stamp 2 Permission Valid
Maintaining your Stamp 2 permission means complying with both your study conditions and your employment restrictions.
- Remain enrolled in an eligible full-time programme. Enroll in a full-time course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
- Meet your course's attendance and academic requirements. You must comply with the attendance, assessment, and progression conditions applicable to your programme. For English-language students, ISD specifies a minimum attendance requirement of 85%, along with other requirements such as sitting a recognised end-of-course examination.
- Follow the weekly work-hour limits. Keep a record of the hours you work for every employer. Do not assume that different employers have separate allowances.
- Keep your immigration registration up to date. Check the expiry date on your IRP card and follow the current renewal process. The standard registration fee is €300 where applicable, and exemptions may apply.
- Ask for advice if your circumstances change. If you withdraw from your course, change programmes, have difficulty meeting academic requirements, or are unsure whether a job complies with your permission, contact your institution's international student office and consult ISD guidance.
Stamp 2 vs Stamp 2A: What Is the Difference?
Stamp 2 and Stamp 2A are different immigration permissions with different conditions.
Stamp 2 generally allows eligible international students to work limited hours while studying on a qualifying programme.
Stamp 2A does not permit employment. It is used for certain study arrangements that do not qualify for Stamp 2, depending on the student's circumstances.
Do not assume that every exchange student or student on a course shorter than 25 weeks automatically receives Stamp 2A. The correct permission depends on the circumstances and applicable rules.
Note: Check the stamp on your IRP card carefully before looking for a job. Do not assume you have Stamp 2 just because you are a student. The stamp type is clearly printed on the card.
Getting a PPS Number to Work Legally in Ireland
A Personal Public Service (PPS) number is used to identify you when dealing with Irish public services, including relevant employment and tax administration.
If you plan to work in Ireland, apply for a PPS number as soon as you are eligible and have the necessary documentation. You should not assume that the number will be issued immediately or that every employment situation has the same timing requirements.
You apply for a PPS number online via MyGovID or at your local Department of Social Protection (DSP) office. To get a PPS number, you will need:
- Your passport or national identity document
- Proof of your address in Ireland (a tenancy agreement or bank statement)
- Your valid IRP card (showing Stamp 2)
- A written job offer letter from an employer confirming why you require a PPS number
Tip! Apply for your PPS number as soon as you have a confirmed address and a job offer in Ireland. Getting it early ensures you are set up on the tax registry before your first payday. Read our full Ireland work and financial guide for step-by-step instructions.
Tax and PAYE for Student Workers in Ireland
If you work as an employee in Ireland, your earnings are generally processed through PAYE, which stands for Pay As You Earn. Your employer deducts the applicable taxes and other payroll deductions from your pay.
Ireland's Minimum Wage in 2027
From January 1, 2027, Ireland's national minimum wage is €14.94 per hour for employees aged 20 and over.
Lower statutory rates apply to younger employees:
The percentage-based rates for younger employees correspond to €10.46, €11.95, and €13.45 per hour, respectively, when calculated from the €14.94 adult rate and rounded to the nearest cent.
Different minimum rates may apply in certain sectors. Check the latest Workplace Relations Commission guidance on the national minimum wage for applicable rates and exceptions.
Registering Your Employment with Revenue
You should ensure that your employment is properly registered with Revenue so that your tax credits and applicable tax treatment can be applied.
If your employer cannot obtain the necessary Revenue Payroll Notification, emergency tax may apply. This can result in higher deductions from your pay until your tax records are correctly set up.
Once you have your PPS number, follow the relevant instructions on Revenue's website and use Revenue's online services to review your employment and tax details.
What Happens If You Breach Your Stamp 2 Conditions?
Breaching the conditions of your immigration permission can have serious consequences. The outcome depends on the nature of the breach, the circumstances, and the applicable immigration rules. Examples of potential breaches include:
- Working more than the permitted number of hours.
- Engaging in self-employment or operating a business when your permission does not allow it.
- Failing to comply with applicable course, attendance, or academic progression requirements.
- Allowing your immigration registration to expire without taking the appropriate steps.
A breach does not mean that every future visa or immigration application will automatically be refused. However, it may affect the renewal of your permission or future applications, and serious cases can lead to further immigration action.
Employers also have legal responsibilities when employing international students and must ensure that employment arrangements comply with the applicable rules.
After You Graduate: Applying for Stamp 1G
Eligible international graduates may be able to remain in Ireland under the Third Level Graduate Programme, which grants Stamp 1G permission subject to the relevant requirements.
Stamp 1G can allow eligible graduates to work full-time while seeking graduate-level employment and pursuing an appropriate longer-term immigration route.
Tip! Start researching the Stamp 1G process well before you finish your studies. The application takes time, and you want to make sure you have no gap in your permission to stay in Ireland. Read our guide to careers and graduate pathways in Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 20 hours per week is the strict statutory maximum allowed during term time on Stamp 2. Working extra hours at your employer's request is a serious breach of your immigration permission, regardless of the business need.
Under official ISD rules, the 40-hour limit applies only during two fixed calendar windows: June 1 to September 30 (summer) and December 15 to January 15 (winter). Easter and mid-term breaks do not qualify for 40 hours per week.
Yes. You can work for more than one employer on Stamp 2. However, your total combined working hours across all employers must not exceed 20 hours per week during term time, or 40 hours per week during designated holiday windows.
Yes. You must have a PPS number before starting any paid work in Ireland so your employer can register you with Revenue for tax purposes.
No. Stamp 2 strictly prohibits self-employment, freelancing, independent contracting, or running a business. You must work solely as an employee under PAYE.
Knowing your Stamp 2 working rights helps you make the most of your time in Ireland without putting your studies or your immigration status at risk. The rules are straightforward: track your hours every week, get your PPS number before you start work, and register with Revenue as soon as possible. Ireland is a great place to study and build valuable work experience. If you ever have questions about your Stamp 2 conditions, your institution's international student office is always a good first stop.
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