Long Term Residence
Long-resident non-EEA workers who have held an employment permit and lived legally in Ireland for at least 5 years.
The Long Term Residence is a Irish settlement & citizenship visa. This guide covers who it's for, the key eligibility criteria, the indicative 2025 cost (~€500 long term residence fee) and processing time (~6-12 months), the route to permanent residence, common pitfalls and FAQs.
Who the Long Term Residence is for
Long-resident non-EEA workers who have held an employment permit and lived legally in Ireland for at least 5 years.
Provides settled Stamp 4 status and supports citizenship by naturalisation.
Long Term Residence - eligibility criteria
- At least 60 months legal residence on employment permits
- Reckonable residence (student time generally excluded)
- Currently hold a valid permit/permission
- Good character and tax compliance
- Hold a valid passport
Long Term Residence cost & processing time (2025)
The indicative government fee for the Long Term Residence (Ireland) is ~€500 long term residence fee, with an indicative processing time of ~6-12 months. Figures are for 2025 and may change - confirm at Irish Immigration Service.
| Type | Settlement |
|---|---|
| Where you apply | Apply to ISD |
| Length of stay | Stamp 4 issued for up to 5 years, renewable |
| Work rights | Work without an employment permit |
| Study rights | Full study rights |
| Government fee | ~€500 long term residence fee |
| Processing time | ~6-12 months |
| Route to PR | Provides settled Stamp 4 status and supports citizenship by naturalisation. |
Pathway & next steps
Provides settled Stamp 4 status and supports citizenship by naturalisation.
Many applicants also compare GEP · General Employment Permit, Stamp 4 · Stamp 4 Immigration Permission, Naturalisation · Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation. Run a free VisaChief check to see which Irish route best fits your profile, then prepare an application reviewed by a registered migration agency in our partner network.
Common Long Term Residence pitfalls we fix
Long Term Residence - frequently asked questions
How much does the Long Term Residence cost?
The Long Term Residence government fee is ~€500 long term residence fee. Figures are indicative for 2025; always confirm current fees at Irish Immigration Service before applying.
How long does the Long Term Residence take to process?
Indicative processing time is ~6-12 months. Actual timeframes vary with caseload, completeness and your circumstances.
Does the Long Term Residence lead to permanent residence?
Provides settled Stamp 4 status and supports citizenship by naturalisation.
Can I work on the Long Term Residence?
Work rights: Work without an employment permit.
Who can apply for the Long Term Residence?
Long-resident non-EEA workers who have held an employment permit and lived legally in Ireland for at least 5 years.
Sources & official references
This guide is compiled from official Ireland government sources and is updated periodically. Eligibility, fees and processing times change - always confirm the current rules with the issuing authority before you apply:
- Irish Immigration Service - official Ireland immigration authority