International students from outside the EU/EEA are granted a residence permission on Stamp 2 conditions where they have enrolled on, and commenced a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
This stamp 2 student permission is granted in line with the duration of their course of study and can be renewed upon satisfying the relevant criteria. Further information on the requirements to renew a stamp 2 can be found on the Immigration Service website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/required-documents/#stamp2
Once a student has completed their studies and been notified in writing by the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student, it is open to them to apply for a stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme. The purpose of the programme is to enable a non-EEA national graduate seek graduate level employment and apply for an employment permit.
Graduates with an award at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) may qualify for a stamp 1G for 12 months under the Third Level Graduate Programme.
Where an individual receives an award at level 9 NFQ or above, they may qualify for a stamp 1G for up to 24 months under the Programme, subject to the overall limit of eight years on student conditions that applies.
If a person has any queries relating to their immigration permission or renewal, they can contact the registration office using my Departments Customer Service Portal. The Customer Service Portal can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
Details on how to submit a query to the registration office can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/submitting-registration-or-renewal-queries/
While all immigration schemes are kept under constant review, currently, there are no plans to introduce a specific immigration permission along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
