Stamp 4 and working abroad

[Lost991697]

Hey everyone, probably need a lawyer for this one, which I will do soon.

I have a Stamp 4 (via Stamp 1 Critical Skills via Stamp 1G via Stamp 2) that I received for the first time last month - it's valid for another two years. I'm also a visa required national for entry.

I've also been in a relationship with an Irish person for the past 4 years and we'll likely get married within the next year. We'll probably push it forward and get married here in Dublin before we move.

I've been offered a great opportunity abroad - we might go for a year, or 10 years; it's really difficult to say at the moment. For now, it's just a great opportunity for us to travel before we have kids.

1) Will I lose my Stamp 4 status if I work/live abroad with my Irish spouse?

2) If the answer to 1 is Yes, then does that mean I have to apply for a visa every time I want to visit Ireland?

3) If we decide to move back to Ireland, will I have to re-apply for a stamp 4 + entry visa? If so, is my visa then tied to my spouse?

Thank you.

[Lost991697]

Adding a note: I received my Stamp 1G in June 2019, so can't apply for citizenship just yet.

[littlerr]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes (although you can apply for a new employment permit if you wish)

[Lost991697]

^^ Thanks.

Follow up: if I come back with my spouse after a couple of years, I can then apply for citizenship after 1.5 years as I'll have accumulated the necessary days spent in Ireland over 9 years, correct?

[mentalmind]

^^ Thanks.

Follow up: if I come back with my spouse after a couple of years, I can then apply for citizenship after 1.5 years as I'll have accumulated the necessary days spent in Ireland over 9 years, correct?

You need to stay married with Irish person for 3 years (don't have to be living in Ireland) and then you need 1 year of continuous residence in Ireland before your citizenship application date.

[littlerr]

^^ Thanks.

Follow up: if I come back with my spouse after a couple of years, I can then apply for citizenship after 1.5 years as I'll have accumulated the necessary days spent in Ireland over 9 years, correct?

Yeah that’s right - it’s 5 out of 9 years if you want to apply on your own rights, or 3 out of 5 years if you want to apply based on your Irish spouse (you have to be married for at least 3 years).

[happyj]

^^ Thanks.

Follow up: if I come back with my spouse after a couple of years, I can then apply for citizenship after 1.5 years as I'll have accumulated the necessary days spent in Ireland over 9 years, correct?

No, those years won't be counted. It is continuous years. So if you go abroad and plan to come back, you will be given stamp 4 directly. then, after 3 continuous stay in Ireland, you can apply for citizenship.

[littlerr]

^^ Thanks.

Follow up: if I come back with my spouse after a couple of years, I can then apply for citizenship after 1.5 years as I'll have accumulated the necessary days spent in Ireland over 9 years, correct?

No, those years won't be counted. It is continuous years. So if you go abroad and plan to come back, you will be given stamp 4 directly. then, after 3 continuous stay in Ireland, you can apply for citizenship.

That is plain wrong. The only place where ‘continuous’ is mentioned is the final year before naturalisation. The law explicitly spelt out that applicants can use any 4 years out of 8 years period before the final year.