In This Section

Introduction

Registering for the first time at 16 years of age

Eligibility for citizenship through naturalisation

Minors (under 16 years) travelling to and from Ireland

Introduction

Children aged 15 years and younger are not obligated to register a permission to remain unless specifically directed by the Minister.

You may be obliged to register under the age of 16, if;

  • You have been granted a permission to remain by the Minster and have been issued a permission letter which provides details in respect of registration. Minors will be registered with a Stamp 3 permission unless otherwise stated on the letter.

  • You are residing in Ireland based on EU Treaty Rights.

Registering for the first time at 16 years of age

Any minor who has gained citizenship through naturalisation is not obligated to register an immigration permission upon turning 16 years of age.

Those who are required to register for the first time must do so as early as possible when they reach 16 years of age.

Upon turning 16 years of age;

  • Irish-born children with eligibility for citizenship who have not been naturalised can register and will be issued a Stamp 4 permission.
  • Foreign-born children with eligibility for citizenship who have resided in the State for 5 years or greater and have not been naturalised are obliged to register and will be issued a Stamp 4 permission.
  • Foreign born children of entrepreneurs with a permission under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme or children of investors with a permission under the Immigrant Investor Programme will be issued a Stamp 4 permission.
  • Foreign born children of PhD student permission holders or those on ISD-approved scholarship programmes are obliged to register and will be issued a Stamp 2A permission.
  • All other foreign-born children who have resided in the State for less than 5 years are obliged to register and will generally be issued a Stamp 3 permission.

All children aged under 18 years of age who are required to register are exempt from paying a registration fee for all stamp categories.

Eligibility for citizenship through naturalisation

Irish-born children may be eligible for citizenship through naturalisation after 3 years continuous residence in the State.

Foreign-born children may be eligible for citizenship through naturalisation after 5 years continuous residence in the State under conditions including reckonable citizenship.

For information on eligibility and how to become a citizen, please visit the following page: How to become a citizen

Minors (under 16 years) travelling to and from Ireland

Please be aware of the current suspension of re-entry visas for under 16s which removes the requirement for children under 16 years of age to hold a Re-Entry Visa to return to Ireland if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date permission to reside in the State.

Further information on the requirements for children returning to Ireland following travel, can be found here: Travel and Re-entry Visas.

Please see our guidelines to travelling with children for further practical information which you may find useful when travelling to and from Ireland with children in your care.

Information on School Pupil Visa Waivers and if their requirements can be found here. If required, please contact us via the Customer Service Portal and follow the instructions to correctly categorise and submit a query to apply for a School Pupil Visa Waiver.

This page was last updated on October 1, 2025