Eligibility quiz
Do you have a biological child with an Irish passport?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Ireland
You can live in Ireland until your permission expires, under its conditions.
Permission based on your Irish citizen child can last up to three years and may be renewed.
Your Irish Residence Permit proves your permission and must be valid for your return after travel abroad; a digital copy is not accepted.
Work in Ireland
With Stamp 4, you can work without an employment permit and start and run a business.
Some professions have their own rules you must meet.
Count residence toward citizenship
Time on Stamp 4 counts toward residence for Irish citizenship, but citizenship is not automatic.
It generally requires one continuous year immediately before applying plus five years’ residence in the previous nine, as well as other conditions.
Vote in elections
People ordinarily living in Ireland can vote in local elections if registered and otherwise eligible.
Depending on your citizenship, you may also be able to vote in national or European elections or referendums.
Use public healthcare
With Stamp 4, you can use public healthcare if you meet the eligibility rules, including those on where you normally live.
Medical card holders receive listed services free; others may have limited care or have to pay.
Receive state support
With Stamp 4, you can receive state payments if you meet each payment’s rules.
Depending on the payment, these may include where you normally live, your income and savings, and your contributions.
How to apply
Applying through registrationApplying through registration
Complete your registration application
Complete the application to register or renew your immigration permission as the parent of an Irish citizen child.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete an Ireland immigration registration application as the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your registration application.
See required documentsBook an appointment
For a first registration, create an account and book an appointment in your own name at the registration office in Dublin. You need a confirmed appointment to attend.
Book your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a first immigration registration appointment in Ireland as the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Go to your appointment
For a first registration, bring your passport and the requested originals and copies to your appointment at the registration office in Dublin.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a first immigration registration appointment in Ireland as the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Submit your renewal
If you are renewing your registration or changing your immigration stamp, submit your application online instead of attending a first-registration appointment.
Find online renewalSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I renew immigration registration or change my stamp online in Ireland as the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the registration service to decide. If registration or renewal is refused and you are referred to Immigration Service Delivery, follow the form steps below.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an Ireland immigration registration decision work for the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Download the application form
If you are refused and referred to Immigration Service Delivery, download the Parent of Irish Citizen Child application form, Form ICCA.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in every section electronically in English and block capitals, explain any missing information in section 6, and sign the declarations in sections 5 and 7. Typed signatures are accepted; save the completed form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ireland Parent of Irish Citizen Child application form?”
Submit your application
Create an account or log in to the Immigration Service Delivery portal, then upload your completed form and supporting documents. Keep your portal ticket or reference.
Open the portalWait for the decision
Answer any requests for more documents through the portal and report changes in your circumstances without delay. If your application is refused, you can apply again and address the reasons given.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Ireland Parent of Irish Citizen Child application take and how do I respond to requests?”
Get your residence permit
After a grant, follow any registration instructions you receive and obtain or renew your Irish Residence Permit. This completes the registration of your permission to stay.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register permission and get an Irish Residence Permit as the parent of an Irish citizen child?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate *
Provide a copy of your Irish citizen child's birth certificate. It should name you as a biological parent.
* Only if you apply using Form ICCA.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationChild's Irish passport *
Provide a copy of the personal details page of your child's current Irish passport. This shows your child's identity and Irish citizenship.
* Only if you apply using Form ICCA.
Child's residence evidence *
Provide two pieces of evidence that your child lives in Ireland. These can be your child's immunisation passport, a doctor's letter confirming attendance at medical appointments, or a school or crèche attendance letter.
* Only if you apply using Form ICCA.
May need translationBiological link evidence *
Provide the evidence ISD asks for to show that you are your child's biological parent. If DNA testing is requested, only testing arranged through Ormond Quay Paternity Services is accepted for this application.
* Only if you apply using Form ICCA and ISD asks for proof that you are the child's biological parent.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Family permission conditions
If your permission is based on your Irish citizen child, stay involved in their upbringing; they must normally live in Ireland.
With permission as an unmarried partner, your relationship must remain genuine and ongoing, and you are expected to live together permanently in Ireland.
Other family permissions depend on the relevant family, dependency and sponsor conditions continuing to be met.
Registration and renewal
Keep your permission registered and renewed.
Apply before it expires, while in Ireland; you can apply online up to 12 weeks beforehand.
Follow the conditions in your permission letter and tell immigration officials about relevant changes when required.
Stamp 0 restrictions
With Stamp 0, you must support yourself or be fully supported by your sponsor, keep private medical insurance, and avoid state benefits and publicly funded services.
Do not work, run a business, trade or practise a profession unless your permission expressly allows it.
Some renewal conditions require continuous residence in Ireland and bar bringing family on this basis.
Permission can be lost
Your permission ends when it expires unless it is renewed.
It can be cancelled or not renewed if you break its conditions, engage in criminal activity or attract adverse attention from the police.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Immigration ireland-spouse/dependent visa-work permit-visa refusal-appeal
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Join on FacebookEU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Request to joinDifferent Issues faced when applying for Family Reunification in Ireland.
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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