How long does it take?
A clear read on the timelines that matter, pulled from the official pages and refreshed automatically: how long permits and stamp renewals are currently taking, and how long the journey to Stamp 4 and citizenship really is.
Employment permit processing
Live from sourceDETE reads applications in strict date order. These bars show the current wait per permit type, as of 16 October 2026.
Employment permits
Current DETE wait by permit type · as of 16 October 2026
- Critical Skills Employment Permit2wk · from 7 October 2026
- New General Employment Permit5wk · from 11 September 2026
- Other new applications9wk · from 19 August 2026
- Intra-Company Transfer (new)1wk · from 12 October 2026
- Intra-Company Transfer (renewal)11wk · from 31 July 2026
- Renewals (all types)12wk · from 28 July 2026
- Reviews / appeals25wk · from 28 April 2026
Applications are read in date order; “weeks” is the current wait for the date being processed. Guide only. Always confirm on the official page. Last checked 12 October 2026.
Registration & stamp renewals
Live from sourceImmigration Service Delivery (ISD) renews IRP registrations in date order too. These are the submission dates currently being processed, as of October 12 2026.
Stamp renewals
Current ISD wait by stamp type · as of October 12 2026
- Stamp 1 / 1H9wk · from 18 August 2026
- Stamp 1G (graduate)9wk · from 19 August 2026
- Stamp 2 / 2A / 1A8wk · from 20 August 2026
- Stamp 46wk · from 3 September 2026
- All other categories6wk · from 8 September 2026
Renewals are processed in date order; you can apply up to 12 weeks before your IRP expires, and it can take a further ~15 business days to receive the new card. Guide only. Confirm on the official ISD page.
Key milestones
Minimum lead time: apply at least 12 weeks before your start date or IRP expiry.
Stamp 4 on a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Stamp 4 on a General Employment Permit.
Reckonable residence for citizenship (3 years if married to an Irish citizen).
Your path to residency
The route you start on changes how quickly you reach Stamp 4 and, in turn, citizenship. The Critical Skills permit is the fast track.
Want a timeline mapped to your own case, with your start date, permit type and route to Stamp 4? Book a consultation and leave with a clear plan. Figures are a guide only; confirm current dates on the official page.