After completing a master's and getting a post-study work visa, can I change my visa to a work visa if I get a job in Ireland?
Yes, you can switch from your Stamp 1G graduate visa to a Stamp 1 work visa once you secure a job offer from an Irish employer willing to sponsor a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit, and you can do this locally without leaving Ireland.
If you are on a Stamp 1G graduate visa in Ireland after your master's, you do not need to leave the country to start working long term. Once you find an employer willing to sponsor you, your visa can be upgraded to a Stamp 1 work visa without a fresh entry application.
How Your Visa Transition Works
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Job offer | You secure full time work with an employer willing to sponsor your permit |
| 2. Permit type | Employer applies for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit |
| 3. Register Stamp 1 | You update your Irish Residence Permit from Stamp 1G to Stamp 1 |
Why This Matters For Your Career
A Critical Skills Employment Permit is aimed at in demand roles such as tech, engineering, science or finance and does not need a labour market test, while a General Employment Permit usually requires your employer to run one first. Time spent working on either permit counts toward a Stamp 4, which removes the need for future sponsorship.
My Advice
Start your job search well before your Stamp 1G expires, since the switch depends entirely on having a sponsoring employer lined up. Focus on sectors under the Critical Skills list if you want a faster, simpler transition.
How long can you stay and work after an Irish master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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