On a Stamp 2 visa in Ireland, you can work 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during official holiday periods. This article explains the full rules for 2026, including what you must do to keep your Stamp 2 valid, how to get set up to work legally, and what happens if you go over the limit.
Stamp 2 is the immigration permission that Ireland gives to non-EEA students enrolled in full-time courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). "Non-EEA" means you are from outside the European Economic Area, for example from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Your Stamp 2 is printed on your IRP card. An IRP card (Irish Residence Permit card) is your official permit to live and study in Ireland. It costs €300.
Having a Stamp 2 means you have the right to work part-time while you study. This is a valuable benefit. Many students use their part-time income to help cover some living costs and gain work experience in Ireland.
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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.
How Many Hours Can You Work on Stamp 2?
The number of hours you can work depends on the time of year. There are two different limits: one for term time and one for official 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.
The 20-hour limit is set by the Irish immigration authority. It is confirmed on irishimmigration.ie, which is the official website of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
Warning! Working more than 20 hours per week during term time is a breach of your Stamp 2 conditions and employment legislation. This is a serious offence that can lead to revocation of your permission to remain in Ireland, refusal of post-study visas (Stamp 1G), and future visa refusals. Always track your total hours across all jobs every week.
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.
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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.
Work You Are Not Allowed to Do on Stamp 2
Stamp 2 permits employed work only. You must work as an employee, meaning you are paid by an employer who deducts your tax through the PAYE system. You are not allowed to:
- Work as a self-employed person (including freelance or gig-economy work)
- Set up or run your own business in Ireland
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 Valid
Your Stamp 2 remains valid as long as you follow your immigration conditions. Here is what you must do:
- Enroll in a full-time course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Qualified courses must run for a minimum of 25 weeks per year with at least 15 hours of daytime study per week leading to a recognized NFQ qualification (or approved 25-week English language course).
- Maintain a minimum attendance record of 85% and make normal academic progress each semester.
- Do not drop below full-time student status without getting advice from your institution's international student office first.
- Renew your IRP card before it expires. A lapsed IRP card means your permission to be in Ireland has run out.
- Never exceed the weekly working hours for your current period (term time or designated holiday window).
Stamp 2 vs Stamp 2A: What Is the Difference?
Some students in Ireland are given a Stamp 2A instead of a Stamp 2. The key difference is simple: Stamp 2A does not permit any work at all.
Stamp 2A is issued to students enrolled in full-time courses that are not listed on the ILEP, such as semester-abroad exchange students from non-EEA universities, short-term courses lasting under 25 weeks, or private secondary school students. If your IRP card shows Stamp 2A, you cannot take up paid or unpaid employment in Ireland.
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
Before you start any paid work in Ireland, you must have a PPS number. A PPS number (Personal Public Service number) is a unique number that identifies you for all dealings with Irish government services. You need it for tax, social welfare, and banking.
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
When you work in Ireland as an employee, you pay tax through the PAYE system. PAYE stands for Pay As You Earn. Your employer deducts income tax from your pay automatically before you receive it. This means you pay tax on each pay day, not at the end of the year.
The national minimum wage in Ireland is €14.15 per hour from January 2026. This applies to all adult workers, including international students. Your employer must pay you at least this rate.
You are also entitled to tax credits, which reduce the amount of tax you pay. The most important one is the standard employee tax credit. You claim your tax credits by registering with Revenue, the Irish tax authority. Revenue is at revenue.ie. You can register online using MyAccount on the Revenue website.
Note: If you do not register your employment with Revenue before starting work, your employer will be required by law to deduct emergency tax. Emergency tax can take up to 40% of your earnings. Register with Revenue as soon as you receive your PPS number.
What Happens If You Breach Your Stamp 2 Conditions?
Breaching your Stamp 2 conditions is a serious violation under Irish immigration law and the Employment Permits Act 2024. Common breaches include:
- Working more than 20 hours per week during term time
- Working more than 40 hours per week during designated holiday periods or working full-time outside official holiday windows
- Engaging in self-employment, freelancing, or gig-economy contracting
- Failing to maintain 85% course attendance or withdrawing from your studies
Enforcement Actions: Working without authorization or breaching your hour limits can result in the revocation of your Stamp 2 permission, issuance of a Deportation Order under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, and automatic refusal of future visa and post-study work applications (such as Stamp 1G or Critical Skills Employment Permits). Employers are also subject to Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) inspections and severe fines.
After You Graduate: Applying for Stamp 1G
When you complete your course in Ireland, your Stamp 2 permission ends with your studies. To stay and work in Ireland after graduation, you need to apply for a new permission called Stamp 1G.
Stamp 1G is the Third Level Graduate Programme. It lets you remain in Ireland and search for a graduate-level job. During this time, you can work full-time. The Stamp 1G is a separate application and is not automatic. You must apply before your Stamp 2 expires or after receiving your official final results.
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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