Ireland Launches New Stamp 4 Transition Scheme for Ukrainians: Conditions and Dates

May 26, 2026, the Irish government officially announced a new migration program — the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme. From September 2026, Ukrainians residing in the country under temporary protection will have the opportunity to transition to a standard residence and work permit, Stamp 4. This decision will allow them to legalize their stay for a longer period and begin the path to obtaining Irish citizenship.

What Has Changed

The new program creates a mechanism for transitioning from the emergency status of temporary protection to full residency. The main parameters of the new permit are:

• Permit type: Stamp 4 (grants the right to live and work in Ireland without being tied to a specific employer).
• Validity period: up to 2 years with the possibility of further renewal for another 2 years.
• Citizenship: the time lived under this permit counts towards the residency required for naturalization (obtaining Irish citizenship).
• Family: the permit will cover the applicant's entire family who lived with them in Ireland under temporary protection.

The acceptance of applications will begin in September 2026. Detailed instructions regarding the application procedure will be published closer to this date.

Who This Applies To

To obtain a Stamp 4 under the new scheme, the applicant must meet all of the following criteria simultaneously at the time of application:

Please note: it is impossible to hold temporary protection status and a Stamp 4 permit simultaneously. After transitioning, you will lose the benefits associated with temporary protection.

What to Do Now

1. Check your income: ensure your official annual salary reaches the €29,432 threshold and your employment history is at least 6 months.
2. Resolve your housing situation: if you still live in state or sponsored accommodation, start looking for independent rental options, as this is a mandatory condition for applying.
3. Gather documents: prepare contracts, payslips, and proof of address.
4. Follow official announcements: wait for the application portal to open in September 2026.

Common Mistakes

• Applying from state accommodation: if you are receiving state housing support at the time your application is reviewed, you will be refused.
• Insufficient income level: the salary must be strictly no less than €29,432 per year. Part-time work with a lower income will not allow you to obtain a Stamp 4.
• Attempting to keep benefits: transitioning to Stamp 4 means full financial independence and renouncing social benefits provided for asylum seekers.

Rules change frequently — before taking action, always check the current requirements on the official government source provided above.