After how long can I apply for Stamp 4 long-term residence on this permit?

The General Employment Permit can be a route to settling in Ireland, but it takes longer than the Critical Skills permit. The key milestone is five consecutive years of lawful work on employment permits.

Once you reach that point, you can apply to the immigration authorities for Stamp 4 permission, which allows you to live and work without an employment permit. Keeping your permits valid and continuous throughout that period is important, because gaps can affect whether the time counts.