In a move closely watched by employers and refugee support organisations, the Irish Government on 29 May unveiled the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme—a dedicated route that will allow some 70,000 people currently in Ireland under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive to switch to a renewable Stamp 4 residence permission. Under the proposal, applicants who have spent at least 12 months in Ireland on Temporary Protection and worked for six of those months on a minimum salary of €29,432 may apply from September 2026 for a two-year Stamp 4. Holders enjoy the right to live and work in Ireland without an Employment Permit and the permission counts toward the five-year residency requirement for Irish citizenship.
![New Stamp 4 pathway offers long-term status to Temporary Protection holders]()
For anyone unsure about assembling the correct paperwork or tracking key dates, VisaHQ’s Ireland team (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can offer step-by-step support, from collating payslips and tax records to guiding applicants through eventual biometric appointments—helping both individuals and their employers avoid last-minute hiccups when the online portal opens.
The new pathway is designed to avert a cliff-edge in March 2027 when EU-wide Temporary Protection is due to expire, providing both individuals and Irish employers—particularly in healthcare, IT and hospitality—with continuity of status. Family members covered by the original protection will be included, easing integration for children already enrolled in Irish schools and spouses in the labour market. Practically, employers should audit their workforce to identify staff who may qualify, confirm salary thresholds and plan for documentation such as payslips and tax statements. Unlike Employment Permit routes, no labour-market test will be required, although applicants must show they are no longer housed in state-contracted accommodation, reinforcing the government’s push toward self-sufficiency among refugees. The announcement positions Ireland as one of the first EU states to chart a post-Temporary Protection course. Immigration attorneys expect high demand once online applications open, urging early preparation to avoid processing bottlenecks. Further operational details—including exact opening dates, fee levels and biometric enrolment requirements—will be released over the summer.
For anyone unsure about assembling the correct paperwork or tracking key dates, VisaHQ’s Ireland team (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can offer step-by-step support, from collating payslips and tax records to guiding applicants through eventual biometric appointments—helping both individuals and their employers avoid last-minute hiccups when the online portal opens.
The new pathway is designed to avert a cliff-edge in March 2027 when EU-wide Temporary Protection is due to expire, providing both individuals and Irish employers—particularly in healthcare, IT and hospitality—with continuity of status. Family members covered by the original protection will be included, easing integration for children already enrolled in Irish schools and spouses in the labour market. Practically, employers should audit their workforce to identify staff who may qualify, confirm salary thresholds and plan for documentation such as payslips and tax statements. Unlike Employment Permit routes, no labour-market test will be required, although applicants must show they are no longer housed in state-contracted accommodation, reinforcing the government’s push toward self-sufficiency among refugees. The announcement positions Ireland as one of the first EU states to chart a post-Temporary Protection course. Immigration attorneys expect high demand once online applications open, urging early preparation to avoid processing bottlenecks. Further operational details—including exact opening dates, fee levels and biometric enrolment requirements—will be released over the summer.
