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Stamp 2 work hours for English students in Ireland

From 1 October, students on Stamp 2 are back to working up to 20 hours a week during term time. The next stretch where you can work up to 40 hours a week runs from 15 December to 15 January.

If you are from Latin America and studying English in Ireland — or planning to — this is probably one of your first questions: can I work, and how much? The short answer is yes, within limits. Stamp 2 work hours follow the calendar, not your school, your city or your employer. Here is how it works, in plain words.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Rules can change — always check irishimmigration.ie for the current position.

Working on Stamp 2 is a condition, not a job offer

Stamp 2 is a study permission. Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) says your main purpose in Ireland should be to study, and that Stamp 2 gives you a limited right to work alongside it.

ISD's summary of Stamp 2 conditions says you can work in casual employment within the weekly hour limits, and that you must not engage in any other business or trade. In practice, that means working as an employee for someone else — not freelancing for yourself or running your own business.

One more thing to be clear about: having permission to work doesn't mean a job is waiting for you. How long it takes to find work depends on you, the season and the local job market. GoStudy compares English schools; we don't arrange jobs.

Stamp 2 work hours: the 20-hour and 40-hour limits

ISD's student FAQ answers the question "Can I work while studying?" directly:

"Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During June, July, August and September, and between 15 December and 15 January, you can work up to 40 hours per week."

So there are only two numbers to remember:

  • Term time: up to 20 hours per week.
  • The holiday windows: up to 40 hours per week during June, July, August and September, and from 15 December to 15 January.

These are maximums, not targets. Nobody has to work 20 or 40 hours, and plenty of students work less so they have time to study and settle in.

How the year looks on a calendar

Picture the year as blocks:

PeriodWeekly limit
1 October – 14 Decemberup to 20 hours
15 December – 15 Januaryup to 40 hours
16 January – 31 Mayup to 20 hours
1 June – 30 Septemberup to 40 hours

A few practical points:

  • The summer window ends on 30 September. If you took on extra shifts over the summer, talk to your manager early about cutting back to 20 hours from October.
  • The winter window is short — about four and a half weeks around Christmas and New Year. If you want extra hours then, it's worth planning ahead.
  • The dates come from ISD, not from your school. Your school will have its own timetable and breaks, but don't assume a school break changes your work limit. If you're unsure, check with ISD before you take on extra hours.
  • The limit is written per week, so think in weeks, not monthly averages.

Keep your Stamp 2 valid while you work

Work is only allowed because you hold a valid study permission — so protecting that permission comes first. For English language students, ISD sets out these main conditions:

  • An eligible full-time course. Your English course must be at least 25 weeks long with at least 15 hours of class per week, on the official list of eligible programmes. Right now that means checking both the ILEP and TrustEd Ireland lists — our ILEP vs TrustEd guide explains why.
  • At least 85% attendance. Teachers record attendance at every class. A late shift that keeps making you miss morning classes can put your renewal at risk.
  • A recognised exam at the end of your course. ISD says you must sit it and show proof when you renew. If you don't meet the attendance level or sit the exam, you may be refused further permission.
  • Limits on English study overall. ISD allows up to three English courses of up to eight months' permission each — two years in total. After that, to stay as a student you need to move to a higher education programme on the eligible list.

For the bigger picture on Stamp 2, see our visas guide.

Practical tips before you start working

Count hours across all your jobs. The limit applies to you, not to each employer. Two jobs of 12 hours each is 24 hours — over the term-time limit. Keep a simple note of your weekly hours on your phone.

Get a PPS number. Citizens Information explains that when you start work in Ireland you need a Personal Public Service (PPS) number to register with Revenue, the tax office. Employers should only ask for it once you're actually taking up the job, not while you're applying.

Know that minimum wage law protects you. Most employees in Ireland, including students, are covered by the National Minimum Wage Act. According to Citizens Information, since 1 January 2026 the national minimum wage is €14.15 per hour for workers aged 20 and over (lower rates apply under 20). You can't agree to be paid less, and if there's a problem you can complain to the Workplace Relations Commission.

Keep your private medical insurance. ISD says all non-EEA students need private medical insurance and must show proof of it when they register their permission.

Don't plan your budget around work alone. Your hours can change and jobs can take time to find. Rent is usually the biggest cost, and it varies a lot by city — see our Dublin vs Limerick cost of living guide for a realistic picture. Remember that immigration asks you to show your own funds separately; money you plan to earn here doesn't replace that.

Choosing a school that fits your study and work life

Your work limit is the same wherever you study. What changes is the day-to-day: class times, travel, the cost of living and the kind of city you want to live in. Morning classes can leave afternoons free for shifts, while a long commute eats into both.

Next step: compare ILEP/TrustEd Stamp 2 English schools on GoStudy — course length, weeks and prices side by side.

Already thinking about a city? Browse English schools in Dublin or English schools in Limerick.

Again: this is general information, not immigration advice. Always confirm the current rules on irishimmigration.ie.

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