[QUESTION] Hosting Agreement and Stamp 4

[galihoco]

Hello, dear friends!

Can you give me a little help about Hosting Agreement here in Ireland? I have been working as a researcher in Dublin, and by the end of my Hosting Agreement (Aug\21), I will have completed 2 years and 7 months on the job. Then, looking at the immigration website, I found that I will be eligible to apply for a Stamp 4 of two years of duration, but they do not provide any more information about how to do it or whether I need to have a new employment. So, can I apply for the Stamp 4 even if my employment bond with the university expires (that is, not having a full job at the time)? What do I need to provide? I also thought about going to the immigration office as soon as I complete 2 years (Feb\21), and ask to change to Stamp 4.

Anyway, I am a bit worried about whether I would have to leave the country as soon as my contract ends, cause it might take a few months to find a permanent lecturer position here. So knowing this will bring TONS of peace of mind!

Thank you in advance. Hope you all have a good week!

[littlerr]

You can apply for a Stamp 4 once you have been on Stamp 1 for 2 years. You should apply for the new stamp as soon as you have 2 years of residence.

You don't need to fill in any application form. Just have the original hosting agreement, a letter from the university indicating you are still with them, and proof of your two years' Stamp 1 (i.e. your current and/or previous passport).

Just follow the normal renewal process (currently it's online renewal for Dublin residents, or making an appointment with the local Garda station in other areas).

[galihoco]

You can apply for a Stamp 4 once you have been on Stamp 1 for 2 years. You should apply for the new stamp as soon as you have 2 years of residence.

You don't need to fill in any application form. Just have the original hosting agreement, a letter from the university indicating you are still with them, and proof of your two years' Stamp 1 (i.e. your current and/or previous passport).

Hi Littlerr! Thanks for your answer. I have an ongoing Stamp 1 til Aug\2021. So you think it would be alright that as soon as I complete 2 years (Feb\2021), I ask them to change? And I wouldn't have any problem for not having a employment bond guaranteed for after the end of my Hosting Agreement (Aug\2021)? Your answer brought tons of peace of mind, thank you very much. All the best!

[littlerr]

Yes you can obtain a 2-year Stamp 4 once your second Stamp 1 is about to expire. There is no requirement on the remaining length of your Agreement.
INIS officers may choose to give you a shorter period, or ask you to provide more documents proving you are still working, but they must give you a valid reason.

[galihoco]

INIS officers may choose to give you a shorter period, or ask you to provide more documents proving you are still working, but they must give you a valid reason.

That's what scares me, if they ask for proofs that I'm working, if I apply when the permit is about to expire. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find another job that quickly, it might take a few weeks or months to get another grant approved or to find a lecturer position. So I'm just worried on whether they will give me the Stamp 4 and allow me to stay here, or they won't do it.

So maybe applying for the Stamp 4 in advance (e.g., three months before expiring the hosting agreement) might be a safer option.

Thanks again for your kind answers!