Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
Core Qualifications
You must hold a qualification at Level 8 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ):
- Level 8: Honours Bachelor's degree (typically 4-year programmes)
- Level 9: Taught or research Master's degree, postgraduate diploma
- Level 10: Doctoral degree (PhD)
Level 7 qualifications (3-year bachelor's degrees or higher diplomas) are no longer eligible under the current scheme, though older guidance may reference them.
Awarding Body
Your award must be granted by a recognized Irish awarding body, including:
- Irish universities (Trinity College, UCD, DCU, TU Dublin, Maynooth, MTU, UCC, NUIG, University of Limerick)
- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
- Institutes of Technology
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
The course must have been listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) at the time you studied. Qualifications awarded by overseas institutions, even if you studied in Ireland, do not qualify.
Immigration Status
You must:
- Hold a current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card at the time of application
- Apply within six months of being notified in writing by the awarding body that you have achieved the award — this is a strict, non-negotiable deadline
- Be physically present in Ireland at the time of application
- Have been notified of your award on or after 1 January 2017
Time Limits
You must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on your permission as a non-EEA national student in the State. If you have previously benefitted from the Third Level Graduate Programme at Level 8 or above and subsequently achieve a higher-level award (e.g., Level 9 or above), you may re-enter the programme on a second occasion only, subject to an overall eight-year limit. You cannot access the programme on more than two separate occasions.
Character and Compliance
You must:
- Comply with the laws of the State and be of good character, not having come to the adverse attention of the authorities in any way
- Disclose any prior visa denials
Conditions & Warnings
You must apply within 6 months of being notified of your award — this is a strict, non-negotiable deadline. Do not wait for the graduation ceremony; use your official results notification letter instead.
If you hold a Level 8 (Bachelor's) degree, you get only 12 months on Stamp 1G with no renewal option. If you hold Level 9+ (Master's/PhD), you get 12 months initially plus a potential 12-month renewal if you can demonstrate active job-seeking efforts — but as of 2025, immigration officers apply much higher standards and simple request letters are no longer sufficient.
Your Stamp 2 student permission must remain valid when your Stamp 1G application is processed. If it expires before processing completes, your application will be refused. Apply as soon as you receive your final results.
As of March 2026, the Immigration Service Delivery has a significant backlog: 68,000 renewal applications are pending, and IRP card processing is taking around 10 weeks. If your IRP card expires before you submit a renewal application, you are out of permission and cannot legally work or remain in Ireland.
You cannot work while your extension application is being processed. Plan your extension timing carefully — you can only apply 6–8 weeks before your current Stamp 1G expires.
Time spent on Stamp 1G does not count toward Irish citizenship. You must transition to an employment permit (CSEP or GEP) and then to Stamp 4 long-term residency to eventually qualify for citizenship.
You cannot be self-employed or operate a business on Stamp 1G. You are limited to employment as an employee.
You can access the Third Level Graduate Programme on a maximum of two separate occasions. If you previously used it for a Level 8 award, you can re-enter only if you subsequently achieve a Level 9+ award, subject to an overall 8-year limit on student conditions.
Qualifications
Fees
Refundable if application is denied. No additional mandatory fees beyond the registration fee.