Briefly about the new option for Ukrainians
Ukrainians in Ireland who are under temporary protection can now replace it with an immigration permission, Stamp 4. The standard validity of this permission is two years and it extends to the whole family.
The Irish immigration service announced this. The transition programme is called the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme and allows temporary protection status to be converted into a longer‑term permission that is counted towards naturalisation.
What conditions must be met to obtain Stamp 4
Applications can be made by those who have lived in Ireland for more than a year under temporary protection. In addition to the residence requirement there are work and income conditions. The applicant must have been officially employed or self‑employed for at least six months.
The applicant’s annual income must be at least 29 432 euro. There is also a housing requirement. The applicant and their family must not be using state accommodation, modular accommodation camps, or be living with hosts who receive Accommodation, Reception and Placement (ARP) compensation. Only privately rented accommodation is acceptable.
How the transition works step by step
Below is a step‑by‑step description of the process for applying for and receiving Stamp 4. It is a straightforward scheme for those who meet the basic residence, employment and income criteria.
- Check your eligibility — make sure you have lived in Ireland for more than a year under temporary protection and have at least six months of official employment or self‑employment.
- Gather proof of income and rental documents — prepare pay evidence and tenancy agreements that show private rental without state support.
- Submit the online application — go to the portal of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and complete the form; it includes a draft save option so you can add documents gradually.
Those who do not meet the criteria will remain under temporary protection and may continue to use it under the previous rules.
Practical consequences for the applicant and the family
Stamp 4 can be regularly renewed; this means the permission is not tied only to the limited duration of the EU directive on temporary protection. If permissions are renewed, the time spent living under Stamp 4 will be counted towards obtaining Irish citizenship.
The permission makes it possible to obtain an Irish passport after meeting the naturalisation requirements. Because Stamp 4 extends to the whole family, it changes the status not only of one family member but of everyone listed on the application.
Submitting the application and working with the INIS portal
Applications are being accepted online via the portal of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). The site allows you to save a draft in the My Forms section and add documents gradually if they are not ready at the start of the application.
The electronic form requires attachments confirming income, proof of employment and documents about the rental property. After submission, the immigration service will consider the documents in accordance with the rules of the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme.
