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Stamp 1A (Accountancy Trainee)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

EUR €300

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Up to 4 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Permission for non-EEA nationals to undertake full-time, paid accountancy training.

Stamp 1A is a permission for non-EEA nationals to undertake full-time, paid accountancy training in Ireland under a formal training contract with a practice registered with one of three recognised bodies: Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA Ireland, or CPA Ireland. The scheme is administered by Immigration Service Delivery and needs no separate employment permit.

Applicants must hold a third-level degree, vetted by the accountancy body for authenticity and exemptions before registration. The IRP fee is €300, payable at first registration and at each annual renewal. Renewal requires a supervisor progression report confirming exams passed and experience gained in the prior 12 months.

This visa is ideal for non-EEA graduates pursuing chartered or certified accountancy training with a recognised Irish accountancy body and an approved training employer.

Stay & Extensions

Extension increments

4 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Ireland

GEP — General Employment Permit

ValidityUp to 24 months

Processing2–3 months

View Visa Details

CSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit

Ireland

CSEP — Critical Skills Employment Permit

ValidityDuration of contract

Processing2–4 weeks

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Third-level degree qualification (Irish or international)

Full-time paid training contract with an accountancy practice registered with a recognised body

Registration with a recognised accountancy body (Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA Ireland, or CPA Ireland)

Degree authenticated and exemptions vetted by the relevant accountancy body before application

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

28,696 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Training contract

Proof of registration with accountancy body

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Pursue a recognised Irish accountancy qualification (CAI, ACCA, or CPA) while earning a full-time training salary
No separate employment permit required — ISD registration alone authorises the trainee role
Low, flat IRP fee of €300 for both first registration and each annual renewal
Up to four years on Stamp 1A to complete the qualification, with annual renewal tied to progression
Degree exemptions may shorten the path: the accountancy body assesses prior qualifications before registration

Worth Knowing

Permission is locked to the specific training contract — you cannot change employer or take other work in Ireland
Renewal each year depends on a progression report from your supervisor; weak progress can end the permission
No family reunification: spouses and dependants cannot join you on a dependent permission
Four-year cap within Stamp 1A plus an eight-year overall limit on student/trainee status in Ireland
Not a permanent-residence pathway; you must transition to a work permit post-qualification to remain in Ireland
No training contract with a registered accountancy practice
Not registered with Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA Ireland, or CPA Ireland
No third-level degree to support body registration

Application Process

Secure training contract

Register with accountancy body

Register with ISD for IRP card

Application Forms

ISD Registration Portal

Fill online

Verified Claims (5)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Dual Intent

false

irishimmigration.ie

Forms · 0 · url

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/professional-training-accountancy/

irishimmigration.ie

Petitioner

employer

irishimmigration.ie

Requirements

Third-level degree qualification (Irish or international); Full-time paid training contract with an …

irishimmigration.ie

Spouse Can Work

irishimmigration.ie

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Overview

Permission for non-EEA nationals to undertake full-time, paid accountancy training.

This visa is ideal for non-EEA graduates pursuing chartered or certified accountancy training with a recognised Irish accountancy body and an approved training employer.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Third-level degree qualification (Irish or international)

Full-time paid training contract with an accountancy practice registered with a recognised body

Registration with a recognised accountancy body (Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA Ireland, or CPA Ireland)

Degree authenticated and exemptions vetted by the relevant accountancy body before application

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

28,696 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Training contract

Proof of registration with accountancy body

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Pursue a recognised Irish accountancy qualification (CAI, ACCA, or CPA) while earning a full-time training salary
No separate employment permit required — ISD registration alone authorises the trainee role
Low, flat IRP fee of €300 for both first registration and each annual renewal
Up to four years on Stamp 1A to complete the qualification, with annual renewal tied to progression
Degree exemptions may shorten the path: the accountancy body assesses prior qualifications before registration

Worth Knowing

Permission is locked to the specific training contract — you cannot change employer or take other work in Ireland
Renewal each year depends on a progression report from your supervisor; weak progress can end the permission
No family reunification: spouses and dependants cannot join you on a dependent permission
Four-year cap within Stamp 1A plus an eight-year overall limit on student/trainee status in Ireland
Not a permanent-residence pathway; you must transition to a work permit post-qualification to remain in Ireland
No training contract with a registered accountancy practice
Not registered with Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA Ireland, or CPA Ireland
No third-level degree to support body registration