Returning back to Ireland after long term stay in India with stamp4 visa to find a job.

[udattuh]

Hi,

I am Hemalatha, holding an IRP card and have a stamp 4 visa upto Aug-2021. I had work experience of 2 years in Ireland and I came to India for my marriage on 03-Feb-2020 and got stucked in India due to covid pandemic. But I am planning to come back to Ireland and look for job opportunities. Do I face any legal problems to enter Ireland?

Thanks,
Hemalatha

[littlerr]

How did you obtain your Stamp 4? If you obtained your Stamp 4 via IIP, you can come to Ireland at any time you want. Otherwise, generally speaking you cannot leave the state for more than 3 months in a year.

You also need to inform INIS in advance if you are going to be out of the state for longer.

Of course COVID-19 restrictions may give you some bargaining chips, but 14 months is still a very long period of absence. Have you been paying taxes during these 14 months time?

Either way, you would need some good explanations at the port when you come back. Even if they allow you back in, you may still have big troubles when you try to renew your stamp.