An international student on Stamp 2 may work without an employment permit for up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January. The national minimum wage from 1 January 2026 is $16.10 (€14.15) an hour, so 20 hours bring in about $320 (€283) a week before tax. After an NFQ level 8 degree (Honours Bachelor), a graduate can receive 12 months of Stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme, and after level 9 or above (a master's) up to 24 months; Stamp 1G allows 40 hours of work a week while you look for an employer who will support a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit.
This guide covers the Stamp 2 and Stamp 1G rules, realistic student earnings, what you need before starting a job, the graduate programme's conditions and time limits, salary thresholds for employment permits, and a worked example of the seven- and eight-year limits. Rules come from Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), the Department of Enterprise (DETE) and Citizens Information, checked on 28 September 2026; conversions use the ECB rate of that date (€1 = $1.1378). For a country overview, see studying in Ireland.
Three permissions: from student to employee
| Permission | Who holds it | Work | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp 2 | a student on a full-time ILEP programme | up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holiday periods, no employment permit | renewed annually; up to 7 years in total on student permissions |
| Stamp 1G (Third Level Graduate Programme) | a graduate of an Irish institution with a level 8, 9 or 10 award | up to 40 hours a week without an employment permit while seeking graduate-level work | 12 months after level 8; 12 + 12 months after level 9 or above |
| Stamp 1 | a worker with an employment permit | with the employer and in the role named on the permit | usually registered for 12 months and renewable |
The sequence is Stamp 2 during study, Stamp 1G to find a job, then Stamp 1 once you hold an employment permit. If you have no permit or other permission when Stamp 1G ends, ISD expects you to leave.
Working during your studies: Stamp 2 rules
- Hours. Up to 20 hours a week in term and up to 40 hours a week in June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January.
- No employment permit needed. Stamp 2 itself carries the work concession while you are registered and studying on a full-time ILEP programme.
- Study comes first. Higher education students must show academic progression to renew their permission, so exam failures caused by overwork can lead to a refused renewal.
- Funding. ISD expects students to support themselves without relying on casual work, so earnings do not count towards the €10,000 shown for the visa.
- Stamp 2A is a separate category; check which stamp appears on your IRP card.
Full-time hours are allowed only in the periods ISD specifies. On a one-year master's the summer is often taken up by the dissertation, so not every student can use the 40 hours then.
What you need before starting a job
- a valid IRP card showing Stamp 2, which employers check as proof of your right to work;
- a Personal Public Service (PPS) number: according to Citizens Information, you need it to register with Revenue when you start work, and an employer may only ask for it once you are actually taking up the job, not while recruiting.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) issues PPS numbers; among other things you must show why you need one.
Realistic earnings
From 1 January 2026 the national minimum wage is €14.15 an hour for workers aged 20 and over, with lower rates for younger workers. Employers may pay more but not less.
| Period | Hours a week | Gross pay at the minimum wage |
|---|---|---|
| Term time | 20 | about $320 (€283) a week |
| Holiday periods | 40 | about $640 (€566) a week |
| For example, 13 weeks of term | 20 a week | about $4,190 (€3,679) over 13 weeks |
For comparison, UCD puts the median monthly spend of a Dublin student at €2,445. Term-time work at the minimum wage covers roughly half of that median, and none of the tuition. A full first-year budget is broken down in the cost of studying in Ireland.
Stamp 1G: the Third Level Graduate Programme
The programme lets non-EEA graduates of Irish institutions stay to look for graduate-level work and apply for an employment permit: Critical Skills, General Employment or a research hosting agreement.
Eligibility:
- a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised Irish awarding body, such as the universities (including TU Dublin and MTU), RCSI, institutes of technology or QQI;
- written notification of the award on or after 1 January 2017;
- a current Stamp 2 permission and an up-to-date IRP card;
- an application within six months of being notified that you have achieved the award;
- remaining within the time limit on student permissions;
- compliance with Irish law and no adverse attention from the authorities.
Duration:
- after level 8: 12 months, provided total time on Stamp 2 and Stamp 1G does not exceed seven years;
- after level 9 or above: 12 months, renewable for a further 12 months if you show appropriate steps towards graduate employment (interviews, registration with recruitment agencies), within an overall eight-year limit.
Documents to move from Stamp 2 to Stamp 1G: passport, IRP card, proof that you completed the course (the parchment, or an official letter if the ceremony has not yet taken place) and medical insurance. The fee is $340 (€300). For the second-year renewal, travel insurance is not accepted; you need private medical insurance plus evidence of your job search.
How many times. A graduate who used the programme after a level 8 award may, after a higher award such as a master's, re-enter for an additional 12 months within the eight-year limit. Nobody may use the programme on more than two occasions.
How the seven- and eight-year limits add up: an example
| Stage | Permission | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| Four-year bachelor's | Stamp 2 | 4 years |
| Job search after the bachelor's | Stamp 1G, 12 months | 5 years |
| One-year master's | Stamp 2 | 6 years |
| Re-entry after the master's | Stamp 1G, 12 months | 7 years |
This graduate stays within the eight-year limit. Time spent in Ireland on English language courses under Stamp 2 also counts, so a long language phase eats into the time left for Stamp 1G.
After Stamp 1G: employment permits
Stamp 1G is for finding a job, not for open-ended work. ISD expects you or your employer to obtain an employment permit before it ends and does not generally extend permission to accommodate a late application. DETE says any permit application should be received at least 12 weeks before the proposed start date.
| Feature | Critical Skills Employment Permit | General Employment Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Occupations | those on the Critical Skills Occupations List; any eligible occupation at €68,911 or more | all occupations except those on the ineligible list |
| Minimum salary | $46,540 (€40,904) with a relevant degree; $41,930 (€36,848) if the qualification was obtained in the previous 12 months; $78,410 (€68,911) for any eligible occupation | $41,650 (€36,605); $38,700 (€34,009) with a relevant degree from an Irish institution obtained in the previous 12 months |
| Labour Market Needs Test | not required | required, except for critical-skills occupations and salaries of €68,911 or more |
| Job offer | at least 2 years | can be 12 months |
| Fee | $1,140 (€1,000); 90% refunded if refused | $1,140 (€1,000) for a permit of 6 to 24 months |
| Changing employer | a new permit is normally refused within 9 months of starting work on the first one | the same 9-month rule applies |
| Route to Stamp 4 | after 21 months of employment on the permit | after 57 months of employment on the permit |
Both permits are subject to the 50:50 rule: at least half of the employer's staff must be EEA nationals at the time of application, with exceptions for start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland. Critical Skills holders can apply for family reunification straight away.
For a comparison with the UK system, see working while studying and the Graduate Route in the UK.
Planning your studies around work
- Choose the level. A level 7 degree does not qualify for Stamp 1G, level 8 gives 12 months and a level 9 master's up to 24.
- Check your field against the Critical Skills Occupations List before applying; it determines which permit and salary threshold apply.
- Watch the clock. Language courses, a bachelor's, a master's and Stamp 1G all count.
- Start job hunting in the first month of Stamp 1G. Permit applications should be in at least 12 weeks before the start date.
- Keep evidence of your search. Renewing Stamp 1G after a master's requires letters from employers and agencies.
For choosing a programme and level, see master's degrees in Ireland and universities in Ireland; Stamp 2 and registration are covered in the Ireland student visa and Stamp 2 guide.
Common mistakes
- Working more than 20 hours in a term week because "it averages out over the month". The limit is weekly.
- Confusing university holidays with ISD's periods. Forty hours are allowed only from June to September and from 15 December to 15 January.
- Missing the Stamp 1G deadline: apply within six months of notification of your award.
- Expecting Stamp 1G after a level 7 award.
- Leaving the employer search until the final months of Stamp 1G. ISD does not generally extend permission for a late permit application.
- Buying travel insurance for a renewal, which is not accepted.
FAQ
Up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week in June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January.
No. With a valid Stamp 2 and full-time study on an ILEP programme, no separate permit is needed. You do need a PPS number for formal employment.
€14.15 an hour from 1 January 2026 for workers aged 20 and over, with lower rates for younger workers.
Twelve months after a level 8 award. After level 9 or above, 12 months plus a 12-month renewal if you show steps towards graduate-level employment.
The registration fee is €300. You also need your parchment or an official award letter, a current IRP card and medical insurance.
You may work up to 40 hours a week without an employment permit. The purpose of the permission is to find graduate-level work and secure a permit, not to remain in temporary employment.
If you have no employment permit or other permission by then, ISD expects you to leave Ireland.
Sources
- ISD: FAQs for students (Stamp 2, work, student pathway) — checked September 28, 2026
- ISD: Third Level Graduate Programme — checked September 28, 2026
- ISD: registration and renewal documents (Stamps 1, 1G, 2) — checked September 28, 2026
- ISD: student finances — checked September 28, 2026
- DETE: Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit — checked September 28, 2026
- Citizens Information: minimum wage and PPS number — checked September 28, 2026
- UCD: living costs in Dublin — checked September 28, 2026
- USD conversions use the ECB reference rate of September 28, 2026: €1 = $1.1378.
Choosing programmes with post-study work in mind, checking permission timelines and preparing admission and visa documents are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Immigration permissions are decided by ISD and employment permits by DETE; we do not guarantee employment.
Next steps
- Cost of Studying in Ireland in 2026/27: University Fees, Dublin Living Costs and Visa Funds
- Master's Degrees in Ireland: One-Year Programmes, Degree Requirements, 2026/27 Fees and Post-Study Work
- Universities in Ireland for International Students: Types, 2026/27 Fees and Entry Routes
- Ireland Student Visa and Stamp 2: Documents, the €10,000 Rule, Applying from Russia and IRP Registration
- Studying in Ireland for international applicants
- Working While Studying in the UK and the Graduate Route: 20 Hours a Week, Tax, and Two Years or 18 Months After Graduation
