Written answers

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Department of Justice and Equality

Student Visas

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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624. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the decision taken on 25 September 2020 to limit all students on a stamp 2 will be reconsidered in view of the fact that it restricts students, including graduating students who have submitted dissertations but are awaiting results, to only 20 hours per week of work; if there is a method to permit graduating students permission to work full-time whilst awaiting to avail of the third-level graduate scheme, otherwise known as the 1G visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28898/20]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In March 2020, as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students who hold Stamp 2 permissions and who attended colleges that had physically closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were allowed in those exceptional circumstances to work up to 40 hours a week. This was conditional on the student completing their course online if this service was provided by their college and represented a short term and temporary measure, which has now ended.

From 1 October 2020, the standard criteria applies again. Students holding a valid immigration Stamp 2 permission are permitted work up to 40 hours per week only during the holiday months of June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January inclusive. At all other times, students holding Stamp 2 permission are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week. There are no current plans to revise this policy.

The extension of permissions I announced on 18 September 2020 applies to this group. It will ensure they will be able to remain lawfully in the State and be able to work up to 20 hours per week while awaiting their results.As soon as colleges issue examination results (which is understood to be later this month in most cases) this will enable graduate students to make an application for a 1G Stamp.

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