Stamp 1 to Stamp 2 renewal issues

Hi,

I was previously working in Ireland on a Stamp 1, and then I pursued a full time Masters programme in Dublin that started September 2023.

My current Stamp 1 IRP expired Feb 2024, and I applied through the online process in November (3 months prior) as stated in website.

However, I was weirdly refused by the online Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). And I was requested to apply manually with hard copies document to send to the Domestic Residence Permission (DRP) immigration office in Dublin. I applied through this method a while after getting this notice. I clearly all the required document needed to apply for Stamp 2 student visa. This ISD website also clearly showed it's possible to change from Stamp 1 to Stamp 2 - https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registe ... ermission/. I did everything well in advance with all the documents.

It's February now. And all I got from Immigration was a letter along the lines 'We have received your application request.... and we are in the process of making a decision..'

I consulted an immigration advisor at my university and even she said it was weird that I was refused the online renewal process initially even. And she is helping me to further inquire what is happening.

The thing is I have travel plans overseas in March, and I'm so anxious if I could possibly or not. This issue is so unknown and I can't find related help anywhere on the Internet on this.

I'm wondering if anyone has any insights regarding this? Could I bring relevant documents with me to the airport to show I am student?

ISD does not do the switch to a lowest stamp via online renewal process. Study stamp is more restrictive than work stamp.

I tried to switch from 4 to 2, which was also refused through online system - had to send them a letter explaining my situation and with copies of necessary documentation.

Have you applied with hard copies either in person or via sending them by post?

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:26 pm

Could I bring relevant documents with me to the airport to show I am student?

You would have to get on a flight to Ireland; I assume you're a visa required national.
As you do not have a valid visa, you will just not be able to get on a plane. Airline employees will not take the risk as they cannot verify your documents on the spot and it's not their job to do it; they'll take an IRP or a visa and you have neither.

You have to either cancel your trip or go there for a few months, so you can apply for a study visa from abroad, but that is a very bad option.

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:18 am

ISD does not do the switch to a lowest stamp via online renewal process. Study stamp is more restrictive than work stamp.

I tried to switch from 4 to 2, which was also refused through online system - had to send them a letter explaining my situation and with copies of necessary documentation.

Have you applied with hard copies either in person or via sending them by post?

Hi, thank you for the response.

I submitted hard copies to them (Immigration office DRP) back in December yes. I got a letter stating that they received my application. But other than that no response whatsoever. And I am really concerned.

This is going for months and months.

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:15 pm

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:18 am

ISD does not do the switch to a lowest stamp via online renewal process. Study stamp is more restrictive than work stamp.

I tried to switch from 4 to 2, which was also refused through online system - had to send them a letter explaining my situation and with copies of necessary documentation.

Have you applied with hard copies either in person or via sending them by post?

Hi, thank you for the response.

I submitted hard copies to them (Immigration office DRP) back in December yes. I got a letter stating that they received my application. But other than that no response whatsoever. And I am really concerned.

This is going for months and months.

Try following up both via email and snail mail, asking for clarification; that's the best you can do at this point.
There's also a slight possibility of them messing up the return address, but it's quige low.

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:21 am

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:26 pm

Could I bring relevant documents with me to the airport to show I am student?

You would have to get on a flight to Ireland; I assume you're a visa required national.
As you do not have a valid visa, you will just not be able to get on a plane. Airline employees will not take the risk as they cannot verify your documents on the spot and it's not their job to do it; they'll take an IRP or a visa and you have neither.

You have to either cancel your trip or go there for a few months, so you can apply for a study visa from abroad, but that is a very bad option.

Yes I need a visa to study here.

But this is just a bit insane. I am clearly legible to study here and get a Stamp 2 as per their website...

I didn't know there's such a big hassle to change from Stamp 1 to Stamp 2. No information about this hassle anywhere.

How long did it take for you to get your Stamp 2, from application time to received time ? Did it work out in the end?

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:20 pm

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:21 am

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:26 pm

Could I bring relevant documents with me to the airport to show I am student?

You would have to get on a flight to Ireland; I assume you're a visa required national.
As you do not have a valid visa, you will just not be able to get on a plane. Airline employees will not take the risk as they cannot verify your documents on the spot and it's not their job to do it; they'll take an IRP or a visa and you have neither.

You have to either cancel your trip or go there for a few months, so you can apply for a study visa from abroad, but that is a very bad option.

Yes I need a visa to study here.

But this is just a bit insane. I am clearly legible to study here and get a Stamp 2 as per their website...

I didn't know there's such a big hassle to change from Stamp 1 to Stamp 2. No information about this hassle anywhere.

How long did it take for you to get your Stamp 2, from application time to received time ? Did it work out in the end?

I'm afraid your situation is just not something that people usually do - I don't know why you didn't apply to change your permission beforehand (and I assume you haven't worked for anyone but your employer since your arrival), so they're trying to understand the reason for this.

Is your course on ILEP? Could it not being there be a reason for the delay?

It took me a long time initially as I didn't send any physical correspondence, only emails to which they never replied - once I sent my documents in, they responded back in 2 weeks granted permission. But my situation was straightforward - I couldn't renew stamp 4, but I was already on a course which is on ILEP.

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:26 pm

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:20 pm

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:21 am

Jay8391 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:26 pm

Could I bring relevant documents with me to the airport to show I am student?

You would have to get on a flight to Ireland; I assume you're a visa required national.
As you do not have a valid visa, you will just not be able to get on a plane. Airline employees will not take the risk as they cannot verify your documents on the spot and it's not their job to do it; they'll take an IRP or a visa and you have neither.

You have to either cancel your trip or go there for a few months, so you can apply for a study visa from abroad, but that is a very bad option.

Yes I need a visa to study here.

But this is just a bit insane. I am clearly legible to study here and get a Stamp 2 as per their website...

I didn't know there's such a big hassle to change from Stamp 1 to Stamp 2. No information about this hassle anywhere.

How long did it take for you to get your Stamp 2, from application time to received time ? Did it work out in the end?

I'm afraid your situation is just not something that people usually do - I don't know why you didn't apply to change your permission beforehand (and I assume you haven't worked for anyone but your employer since your arrival), so they're trying to understand the reason for this.

Is your course on ILEP? Could it not being there be a reason for the delay?

It took me a long time initially as I didn't send any physical correspondence, only emails to which they never replied - once I sent my documents in, they responded back in 2 weeks granted permission. But my situation was straightforward - I couldn't renew stamp 4, but I was already on a course which is on ILEP.

I am on a Lv9 Higher Education qualification course (Masters) which is on ILEP.

Then I am similar. I am not legible to renew stamp 1 because I'm doing a full time studies course, and I'm not with my employer anymore. And I am already on the course as I am speaking.

I sent my hard document in December just a while after I received the ISD refusal email. A month later in Jan I got a notice in hard copy letter to my address 'We have received your application.. and waiting for a decision..' They never responded to my update queries.

There's no magic solution at this point. You just need to ask them. If it's too bad, try asking via your TD?

Regarding you trip - you can leave but you won't be able to return. Decide for yourself, if it's worth the risk, but I'll advise against leaving.