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Your guide to moving to Ireland. Visas, citizenship and Irish passports.
Irish citizenship, nationality, and passports are powerful. Irish nationality and an Irish passport are available to many through several pathways. We’ll look at these, as well as work permits, residency options and more. There are many opportunities to move to Ireland to live and work.
Live in Ireland
No matter what lifestyle you prefer, Ireland will have a perfect place for you. Expats in Ireland can choose from a range of lifestyles. You can choose the slow-paced and relaxed life surrounded by beautiful nature in the countryside. Alternatively, choose to live in the energetic flow of cities like Dublin and Belfast. For Expats, the cost of living is lower compared to the neighbouring United Kingdom, and the people are known for being fun and friendly.
Outside of work, the fun is endless. With Ireland being so small, weekend getaways to many beautiful places are accessible. The foodie scene has taken off over the last ten years. The growing food scene has led to a whole host of new restaurants serving some of the very best food in the world. Add to that Ireland’s strong history of music, literacy, theatre and the arts. You are bound to find a good time whatever your preference.
Work in Ireland
The Irish economy is doing well, and many large, international companies now have their European HQ in Ireland, (think Google, Facebook and Apple). Global companies chose Ireland for the low corporate taxes and the high level of education of the majority of the population. It’s a great place to learn, develop and take your career to the next level. There is also a lot of less qualified and seasonal work available. These jobs make Ireland’s Working Holiday program especially appealing for young people from around the world.
Citizens of the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) can move, live and work freely in Ireland. Below are some of the residency options for non-EEA citizens.
Irish Family Visas
If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Ireland, you are probably eligible for residency. Please note that your status of spouse needs to be legally recognised in this country.
See the citizenship section below for more information regarding citizenship based on descent.
Ireland Visas for Employment / Work Permit
Ireland has an excellent Employment Permits Online System. This system makes it easy to find out information and apply for your work permit. The type of work permit you need to apply for strongly depends on what position you’ll be working in.
Ireland has an excellent Skilled Worker Visa program for Expats who want to move to Ireland. If you work in a field where Ireland is experiencing a shortage, you can apply for a ‘critical skills’ work permit. This work permit allows you to immigrate to Ireland. These skills currently include scientists, medical staff, midwives, teachers, sales, marketing, and engineers. You can find the full Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List here.
Short term Tourist Visa
Ireland is not a SCHENGEN State member, although it is part of the European Union. This means for an Ireland tourist visa you may need to apply directly to Irish Immigration, even if you have a SCHENGEN visa. Use the VisaHQ tool here to find out if your passport requires a tourist visa to visit Ireland.
Person of Independent Means (Stamp 0)
The Person of independent visa is available without age restrictions. This visa class is also sometimes called a Passive Income Visa. You must be able to show you have an income of more than €50,000 per annum. Additionally, you must show a lump sum of money to cover any significant unforeseen expenses. If you meet these criteria, you can live in Ireland.
Start-up Entrepreneur Program
Are you starting a high potential business? Why not start it up in Ireland and acquire secure residency status in Ireland? This programme was established by the Irish Government in 2012 to stimulate productive investment in Ireland.
Ireland Working Holiday Visa / Youth Mobility Visa
The Ireland Working Holiday Visa program is one of the world’s most popular. To be eligible for the Working Holiday Maker program, you must be between 18 – 30 years old. Citizens of Australia, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and New Zealand are eligible.
If you are a US Citizen, you may be eligible under the Working Holiday Visa program. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Additionally, you must be enrolled in post-secondary education or have graduated from post-secondary education in the last year.
See our blog here on an Ireland Working Holiday Visa experience.
Ireland Study Permit
You can get permission to study in Ireland at approved institutions. More information can be found here.
Irish Citizenship
Citizenship of Ireland is sought after, and an Irish passport is powerfully ranked. Ireland is a stable democracy with a strong economy. Additionally, Ireland has an excellent global reputation. The government of Ireland is seen as an active and progressive global player. The Irish passport offers visa-free travel to more than 185 countries and territories. The Irish passport is ranked in the top 10 of most lists compared to other passports.
Irish Citizenship by Birth
- If you were born in Ireland before 31st December 2004, you are most likely an Irish citizen.
- If you were born in Northern Ireland before the 31st December 2004, you are most likely an Irish citizen.
Irish Citizenship by Descent
- If one or both of your parents were citizens when you were born, you are probably also a citizen.
- If one or both of your parents were born in Northern Ireland, you are probably a citizen of Ireland.
- If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland, you can apply for Irish citizenship. This entitlement is not affected by when or where you were born. To become an Irish citizen, you must register yourself in the Foreign Births Register.
- If one of your great-grandparents was born in Ireland, you can apply for Irish citizenship. Importantly, your parent must have been registered in the Foreign Births Register when you were born. This entitlement is not affected by when or where you were born. To become an Irish citizen and access an Irish passport, you must register yourself in the Foreign Births Register.
Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation
You can apply for Irish citizenship by naturalisation if you are aged 18 or over, show good character and meet these requirements:
- You have been legally resident in Ireland for at least five years out of the last nine years. Your stay must include one year of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply OR
- If you have been married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen for three years, you can apply for Irish nationalisation. You need to have been living in Ireland for at least three years out of the last five years. Your stay must include one year of continuous residence immediately before the date you apply.
Ireland does allow dual citizenship and multiple citizenships.
Ireland Residency by Investment Visa
Ireland has an appealing Residency by Investment scheme. The RBI program is called the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP). The scheme allows you to apply for an Irish residency permit if you meet specific criteria.
The residency visa requires you to invest more than €1 million of your own money in an Irish approved investment. The funds must not be financed or from a loan. The investment must be for a minimum of 3 years. Applications can only be submitted on particular times and dates, details of which can be found on the link above. This is a popular option for aspiring Expats in Ireland.
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