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Ireland's Stamp 2 Bridging Permission Closes 31 August
Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) is offering a short-term Stamp 2 “bridging permission” to English language students who have finished their course and enrolled in a higher education programme starting by the end of October 2026. The notice is only open for applications between 1 May and 31 August 2026 — if you qualify, the window to apply closes in a few weeks.
What changed
The bridging permission extends Stamp 2 status until 30 September 2026, counted from the expiry date of the applicant’s current IRP card. It’s designed to cover the gap between finishing an English language course and starting a paid, confirmed place on a higher education programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Two groups qualify:
- Students who completed a third English language course (the maximum allowed) and have since enrolled and paid in full for an ILEP-listed higher education programme starting by end of October 2026.
- Students who completed a second English language course on or after 1 July and have similarly enrolled and paid for an ILEP-listed higher education programme starting by end of October 2026.
Students who finished a second English language course before 1 July don’t qualify for this bridging route — ISD says their option is to undertake a third English language course and renew on that basis instead.
Applicants need an in-date IRP card (or one expired within the last month), must have kept to the conditions of their current permission, and apply through ISD’s online renewal portal. Students whose qualifying English language course finished on or after 1 July get the renewal fee waived (refunded if already paid); those whose third course finished before 1 July pay the standard €300 fee.
Who it affects
- English language students who have completed their permitted course sequence and secured a fully paid higher education place for autumn 2026.
- Students at risk of an immigration permission gap between finishing English language study and their degree programme starting.
- Students who completed a second English language course before 1 July 2025 — this bridging permission does not apply to them.
What you should do
- Confirm your higher education offer is fully paid and the programme is ILEP-listed before applying — both are required evidence.
- Apply via ISD’s online renewal portal before 31 August 2026; the notice explicitly does not extend beyond that date.
- If your second course finished before 1 July, don’t assume you’re covered — check your specific course completion date against ISD’s criteria, or speak to your Stamp 2 renewal option instead.
- Budget for the €300 fee unless your qualifying course finished on or after 1 July, in which case it’s waived or refunded.
What hasn’t changed
This bridging permission doesn’t replace ordinary Stamp 2 renewal, and it doesn’t extend the permitted number of English language courses — three remains the maximum. For the general rules on registering and renewing student immigration permission, see our Ireland visas guide.