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This guide is also available in Spanish for Latin American students.
In this guide you’ll find:
• What is Stamp 2?
• Who can apply for Stamp 2 in 2026?
• Step-by-step Stamp 2 application process
• Can I work with Stamp 2?
• Stamp 2 costs
This guide has been developed for Latin Americans from visa-waiver countries, which include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay. If you are from a visa-waiver country, you can enter Ireland without a visa and then apply for a Stamp 2 (study and work permit) during your first few weeks/months in the country.
Important: You must have paid in full for a registered English course prior to entering Ireland, or you will not be allowed to process a Stamp 2. The course must be registered on the ILEP list.
This guide is not for EU citizens. This includes Latin Americans who hold an EU passport. If you hold an EU passport you don’t need permission to live or work in Ireland.
This guide is not for people from visa-required countries (for example Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela). If you are from a visa-required country, you will need to apply for a visa before travelling to Ireland.
This guide does not cover the entry visa process for visa-required nationals (although they still receive Stamp 2 after registration in Ireland).
This guide is not for students wishing to take shorter courses of 3 months or less.
Stamp 2 is the student permission that allows citizens of certain countries to study English in Ireland and work part-time during their course. It is issued by the Irish Immigration Service (ISD) and is subject to specific requirements.
Stamp 2 is an Irish immigration permission granted to non-EEA students enrolled in a full-time course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). It allows students to reside in Ireland legally for the duration of their studies and provides legal work rights of 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours during designated holidays.
Expert Note: While often referred to as a “student visa,” Stamp 2 is technically a residency permission. For visa-waiver nationals (such as citizens of Mexico, Chile, Argentina, or Uruguay), you do not apply for this before traveling. Instead, you receive this status after arriving in Ireland by registering with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).
Stamp 2 is linked to the following criteria:
Once granted, the Stamp 2 will allow you to:
| Feature | 2026 Stamp 2 Regulations |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Temporary residence permission (not a visa) |
| Eligible nationalities (visa-waiver) | Visa-waiver non-EEA nationals (LATAM) |
| Course required | 25-week ILEP-listed English course |
| Permission duration | 8 months (renewable up to 2 years) |
| Work rights | 20 hrs/week (term) · 40 hrs/week (holidays) |
| Proof of funds | €6,665 for 8 months |
| Registration fee | €300 (paid at registration) |
| First registration location (IRP) | Burgh Quay, Dublin (nationwide system) |
To apply for Stamp 2, you must meet all of the following conditions:
Nationality:
You must be a non-EU national.
Latin American visa-waiver nationals apply for their Stamp 2 after arrival in Ireland.
Visa-required nationals can also apply for a Stamp 2 but they must apply for an entry visa prior to travelling to Ireland.
Course enrolment and payment (before arrival)
You must register with an English school and pay in full for your course before arriving in Ireland.
ILEP requirement:
The English school and course must appear on the ILEP list.
Minimum course length:
When you register for Stamp 2 you will be asked to show proof of private medical insurance. The private medical insurance should provide cover for accident and/or disease and should cover the student for any period of hospitalisation. You must provide evidence of medical insurance in English.
Financial requirements
On arrival in Ireland you must be able to show that you have direct access to €6,665 to support yourself during your course. €6665 is the Irish government’s requirement for proof of funds.
While you must show proof of €6,665 for your permission, remember that Hello Irlanda is a free consultancy; students pay tuition directly to the schools. We will never ask you to transfer tuition funds to an agency account.
Health insurance
When you register for Stamp 2 you will be asked to show proof of private medical insurance. The private medical insurance should provide cover for accident and/or disease and should cover the student for any period of hospitalisation. You must provide evidence of medical insurance in English.
ILEP stands for the Interim List of Eligible Programmes.
It is the official list of English language courses and schools approved by Irish Immigration.
Important 2026 Update: The ILEP is currently being superseded by TrustEd Ireland (the International Education Mark). This new statutory quality mark is designed to provide even higher levels of protection for international students. Both ILEP and TrustEd Ireland are fully valid during this transition period through 2026. Hello Irlanda only works with schools that meet these rigorous national standards.
You can only get a Stamp 2 if your school and course appear on the list.
Why this matters:
Before travelling, you must:
Hello Irlanda only works with ILEP registered schools, so students can avoid this risk.
You must enrol in an ILEP-listed English course and pay for the course in full before travelling to Ireland.
Immigration will not grant Stamp 2 unless your course is paid for in advance and confirmed by the school.
As a visa-waiver national you must present your passport and letter of acceptance from the school when arriving in Ireland.
You cannot request an appointment prior to arriving in Ireland.
Students must download the ID-Pal app to verify their identity when creating their immigration portal account. Hello Irlanda provides a guide which details the steps involved.
The required registration documents include:
At your immigration appointment you will need to present your documents, pay the Stamp 2 registration fee, and have your photograph and fingerprints taken.
Since January 13th 2025, all first-time registrations (regardless of where you live in Ireland) are centralized at the Burgh Quay office in Dublin. Students in Cork, Galway or Limerick no longer go to local Garda stations for their first stamp.
At the end of your registration appointment, you will receive a new stamp in your passport, with a new permission expiry date. Your Stamp 2 has now been approved. Your permission is linked to your school and course.
You will receive your IRP (Irish Registration Permit) card by post within 5-10 working days after your appointment. The card is further proof of your Stamp 2 status.
Not sure if Stamp 2 applies to your specific situation? We’ll confirm your eligibility before you make any decisions.
Yes. Stamp 2 allows you to work in Ireland, but there are certain conditions and limits.
Weekly work limits
Important points:
What jobs do students typically do?
Immigration registration fee
Course costs
Other required costs
While you must show proof of €6,665 available on arrival for your Stamp 2 permit, remember that Hello Irlanda is a free consultancy; students pay tuition directly to the schools. We will never ask you to transfer tuition funds to an agency account.
In order to renew your Stamp 2 permit, you must:
It is important to make sure that all information and details on your documentation are correct, and that you know how to provide your proof of funds (€6,665).
You are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours per week except for during the summer and Christmas periods. If you work two jobs that add up to more than 20 hours per week outside of these periods you are still breaking the Stamp 2 rules.
Hello Irlanda provides a detailed Stamp 2 checklist free of charge to help you arrive in Ireland fully prepared and confident about the Stamp 2 process.
The checklist includes:
Our services are 100% free for students. We operate as a direct partner to Irish language schools. To ensure total transparency, students pay all tuition fees directly to the schools – never to us.
No, Stamp 2 is not a visa. It is a student residence permit.
Yes, Argentinians, Chileans, Costa Ricans, El Salvadoreans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, Nicaraguans, Panamanians, Paraguayans and Uruguayans are all visa-waiver countries and can apply for a Stamp 2.
No, Bolivians, Colombians, Peruvians and Venezuelans must follow a different process and apply for a visa prior to coming to Ireland.
Yes. You must pay for your course and receive a letter of acceptance from your chosen school before you travel to Ireland.
No, you will need to register with the immigration office before you start working. This can take anything from a couple of days to a couple of months, depending on time of year and demand.
Hello Irlanda students do not pay an agency or intermediary. The students pay directly to their chosen school.
You can change your school or course when you renew your Stamp 2 as long as your new school and course are registered on the ILEP list.
Hello Irlanda is an Irish-owned education consultancy that specialises in helping Latin American students that wish to study English or study and work in Ireland.
We help you by:
There is no extra agency fee.
Students pay directly to the school. You don’t pay to an agency or intermediary.
Please contact us to find out if Stamp 2 applies to you and we will provide you with personalised guidance, free of charge.
Not sure if Stamp 2 applies to you? We’ll confirm your eligibility before you make any decisions.
Written by Keith Taylor, Founder & Director, Hello Irlanda English Language Studies Ltd
Keith Taylor is the founder of Hello Irlanda and an experienced specialist in the Irish language travel industry. With over 20 years of experience in international education, Keith has worked as an English teacher and language travel consultant across Europe and Latin America.
An Irish national with deep “boots-on-the-ground” knowledge, Keith established Hello Irlanda in 2015 to bridge the gap for Spanish-speaking students moving to Ireland. He holds prestigious industry certifications including IALC and IEAC Accredited Agent status and is a specialist in the Stamp 2 immigration process.
“My goal is to provide Latin American students with the same level of local insight an Irish person would have, ensuring they feel safe, informed, and supported from the moment they land in Ireland to the day they receive their IRP card.”
Irish Immigration Service (ISD)
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (Department of Justice) – official source for Stamp 2 student permission rules, registration procedures, and work conditions.
Immigration Registration (IRP / Burgh Quay)
Official registration process for non-EEA nationals in Ireland, including first-time Stamp 2 registration and IRP card issuance.
ILEP / TrustEd Ireland
Department of Justice list of approved English language programmes eligible for Stamp 2 student permission (formerly ILEP, transitioning to TrustEd Ireland).
Department of Justice – Student Immigration Policy
Official policy framework governing English language students, permission duration, work limits, and renewal rules.
This guide is based on official Irish Immigration Service (ISD) regulations and practical experience advising international students.
