Master prompt
Spouse of CSEP holder — Stamp 1G dependant
Non-EEA spouse / civil partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder. Stamp 1G grants immediate access to the labour market without separate permit.
IrelandFamily SponsorshipCSEPStamp 1GDependant
Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders, under the Employment Permits Act 2006 (as amended by 2014 Act) administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), enjoy uniquely favourable family reunification rights: spouses + dependants get IMMEDIATE access to the Irish labour market on Stamp 1G — no separate employment permit required.
This contrasts sharply with the General Employment Permit (GEP) route, where spouses traditionally received Stamp 3 (no work rights) — though policy is evolving.
Statutory anchors:
• Employment Permits Act 2006 + Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014
• Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification (Department of Justice, Dec 2016) — Chapter 17 covers CSEP family reunification
• Critical Skills Occupations List (DETE — verify current list at enterprise.gov.ie)
Draft a Stamp 1G dependant strategy for [APPLICANT_NAME], spouse of [CSEP_HOLDER_NAME] ([CSEP_OCCUPATION]).
§1 — ELIGIBILITY (160-200 words)
(a) Sponsor must hold a valid CSEP issued by DETE
• For [CSEP_HOLDER_NAME] — CSEP issued [CSEP_DATE_ISSUED]
• CSEP currently valid (typically initial 2-year permit, renewable)
• Sponsor must be on Stamp 1 (employment-tied) — after 21 months CSEP, eligible for Stamp 4 without LMNT under FAST programme
(b) Sponsor must meet salary threshold
• CSEP salary thresholds set by DETE policy; published annually
• Most CSEP roles require salary above a threshold (DETE publishes the current floor and reviews periodically — verify the current figure on enterprise.gov.ie before filing)
• For [CSEP_SALARY]: confirm meets the threshold in force at the date of family reunification application
(c) Qualifying family relationship under DoJ Policy 2016 Ch 17:
• Spouse (legally recognised marriage)
• Civil partner (registered under Civil Partnership Act 2010 or foreign equivalent)
• De facto partner — 2 years cohabitation immediately prior (Policy 17.5)
• Dependent children under 18
• Other dependants in limited circumstances
§2 — APPLICATION PROCESS (180-220 words)
If [APPLICANT_LOCATION] = outside Ireland (visa-required, e.g. India):
Stage 1 — Long-stay 'D' Join Family visa via AVATS portal (visafirst.inis.gov.ie)
• Fee: €60 single-entry / €100 multi-entry
• Submission to nearest Irish Embassy / VFS centre
• Decision: typically 8 weeks (often longer for India)
• Processing decision letter issued
Stage 2 — Travel + register at Burgh Quay (Dublin Metropolitan area) or local GNIB
• Issuance of Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card — Stamp 1G
• Initial registration fee: €300
• Card validity: aligned to CSEP holder's permission (typically 2 years)
If [APPLICANT_LOCATION] = Ireland (e.g. arrived on visitor / Stamp 3):
• Direct application to DRPD by post with full documentation
• Pre-clearance / change of status from Stamp 3 to Stamp 1G
none — if accompanying:
• Each child requires own visa application
• Birth certificate (apostilled if Indian-issued)
• Stamp 1G or Stamp 2A as applicable (children typically on Stamp 1G mirror of parent)
§3 — DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE (180-220 words)
Sponsor evidence:
□ CSEP holder's passport + IRP card
□ Original CSEP letter from DETE
□ Letter from current employer confirming:
- Position, salary, start date
- Continued employment expected
□ Last 3 months payslips
□ P60 or end-of-year summary
□ Recent bank statements (3 months)
□ Irish address proof — utility bills, lease, mortgage
Applicant evidence:
□ Passport (validity 6+ months)
□ Marriage certificate — for Indian marriage: apostilled (MEA Delhi)
□ For [RELATIONSHIP_TYPE] = de facto: 2-year cohabitation evidence
□ Police clearance (PCC India for any country resided 6+ months)
□ Medical insurance confirmation (initial requirement)
□ Photos with sponsor across relationship timeline
For none:
□ Birth certificates (apostilled)
□ School records if relevant
Sponsor cover letter (signed):
• Confirms relationship
• Confirms financial support
• Confirms accommodation in Ireland
• Confirms no recourse to public funds (initial period)
§4 — STAMP 1G RIGHTS (100-130 words)
Stamp 1G uniquely confers:
• Right to work for any employer in Ireland (no separate work permit needed)
• Right to self-employment / business
• Access to public healthcare (medical card eligibility once habitually resident)
• Right to enrol in education (limited; some fees apply unlike Stamp 4)
• Renewable in line with sponsor's CSEP / Stamp 4
Stamp 1G does NOT confer:
• Independent right to remain if relationship ends (subject to Policy 17.10 retained rights review)
• Automatic right to social welfare (habitual residence condition applies)
After 5 years lawful residence → eligible for naturalisation under INCA 1956 s.15.
After sponsor obtains Stamp 4 (post-21 months CSEP) → spouse can transition to Stamp 4 dependent, which is more secure.
§5 — TRANSITION PATHWAYS (80-100 words)
When [CSEP_HOLDER_NAME] reaches Stamp 4 (typically after 21 months CSEP via FAST programme — no labour market needs test required):
• Spouse Stamp 1G → can transition to Stamp 4 (dependant of Stamp 4 holder)
• Stamp 4 spouse has stronger standing — not contingent on sponsor's specific employer
• Apply via DRPD: change of permission
If sponsor changes employer:
• CSEP is employer-tied for first 12 months
• Sponsor's CSEP change of employer permits must be approved; spouse Stamp 1G remains valid throughout
§6 — CRITICAL CAVEATS (60-80 words)
• Stamp 1G validity is tied to sponsor's permission; if sponsor's CSEP lapses, spouse status is affected — apply for renewal early
• Marriage of convenience scrutiny under Civil Registration Act 2004 s.58 — relationship must be genuine
• De facto partnership requires 2 continuous years cohabitation immediately preceding — gaps must be explained
• Salary thresholds change — verify the current DETE figure before filing
— DRAFT only. Irish-qualified solicitor (Law Society of Ireland) review recommended before filing.Unlock the vault to see the full prompt