Stamp 4’s revoked as Justice Dept cracks down on holders spending too much time abroad
Several immigrants in Ireland have had their ‘Stamp 4’ residency permits withdrawn in recent weeks, Metro Éireann has learned.
And thousands more risk losing the same status, following a decision by the Department of Justice to launch a comprehensive review for every such permit holder in Ireland.
Metro Éireann understands that the reasons given by immigration officials for the cancellation of Stamp 4 residency – which allow their holders to be employed in Ireland without work permits – include the fact that some holders spent less than eight out of the previous 12 months in Ireland.
In the case of some affected holders whose spouses are Irish or also holders of Stamp 4 but not themselves affected, Metro Éireann heard they are being advised to return to their home countries and apply for standard tourist visas that would enable them visit their families in Ireland.
Some of the affected people have told Metro Éireann that they were not advised by immigration at any time that they needed to spend a certain amount of time in Ireland every year to retain their status.
They also claimed that the Department of Justice should have given them a warning before deciding to withdraw the Stamp 4.
When contacted for comment, Justice declined to say how many Stamp 4 permits it has withdrawn so far, but said that such residency is given in order for the holder to contribute towards the development of the Irish economy.
“The grant of a Stamp 4 permission to a non-national is a very significant immigration permission and enables the recipient to access the labour market and a whole range of other state services,” the department said in a statement, adding that “it is expected that holders of Stamp 4 permission will be continuously resident in the State for the period of their permission.
“Continuous residency means living in the State for the period covered by the permission to remain, allowing for reasonable periods of absence from the State for holidays, exceptional family circumstances or commitments outside the State arising from work carried on within the State.”
Asked to explain what it meant by “reasonable periods of absence” from Ireland, as well as state categorically how many days outside the country would disqualify the holder from retaining Stamp 4, a spokesperson for the department said it was “self explanatory”.
