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Move to Ireland

Citizenship through descent

Then you could claim Irish citizenship through descent. Your eligibility depends on which relative was an Irish citizen, and whether they were born inside or outside of Ireland.

You are automatically an Irish citizen if one of your parents was an Irish citizen and was born in Ireland. You don’t need to apply to become an Irish citizen in this case.

If you were born outside of Ireland, you can become an Irish citizen if:

1. One of your grandparents was born on the island of Ireland, or;
2. One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even though they were not born on the island of Ireland

My Grandfather was born in Ireland but neither of my parents have Irish Passports. Am I entitled to apply for Irish citizenship?

Yes. An application for Irish citizenship through Foreign Births Registration can be submitted by any person with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland.

If you have an Irish Parent, Grandparent or Great-Grandparent it is likely that you are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship and an Irish passport.

You can apply here: Passport Online – Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)

Citizenship through naturalization

Are you married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen?

If you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen, you can apply to become an Irish citizen by naturalisation. You can apply if you live in Ireland or Northern Ireland and meet the following conditions:

• You are 18 or over.
• You have been married for 3 years or more.
• You have lived on the island of Ireland for 3 out of the 5 years before you make your application (see ‘Calculating reckonable residence’ below). You must have lived in Ireland or Northern Ireland continuously for 12 months before the date of your application.
• You intend to live in Ireland after you have become an Irish citizen.
• You live with your spouse.
• You are of ‘good character’

Long-stay visa 

Even if you’re not eligible to Irish citizenship, you can gain long-term entry to Ireland with a long-stay visa, also known as a category ‘D’ visa. The type of visa you need depends on your personal circumstances. There are different options available, including a study visa, a work visa and a join a family member visa.

Stamp 0 visa 

Perhaps you’re keen to return to the land of your ancestors or you simply want a change of scenery?

Then a Stamp 0 visa could be for you. It allows people of independent means to move to Ireland.

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Grants for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) are given to non-EEA/UK/Swiss nationals who have an innovative business proposal. If your application is successful, you can start a business in Ireland. You and your family members can also move to Ireland for two years. This can be extended, paving the way for permanent residency.

When completing your STEP application, there are a number of factors you need to keep in mind:

1. You need to clearly demonstrate that you have the minimum funds that the programme requires. If you are the first founder of the start-up, this is €50,000. For any subsequent founder, this is €30,000.
2. You need to include a detailed and robust business plan.
3. The application must be a founder or main decision maker in the company e.g. CEO.
4. Supporting documentation as listed in the Guidelines including evidence of your €50,000 funding, details of the source of this funding, and evidence of your good character.

Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) 

The Immigration Investor Programme (IIP) is open to non-EEA/UK/Swiss nationals who commit to an approved investment in Ireland. If accepted, you and your family member can move to Ireland for two years. This can be extended, making you eligible for permanent residency. 

In order to be approved, the IIP requires a minimum investment of €1 million that must be committed for a minimum of three years and made in the name of the individual seeking residence. 

Applicants are expected to show a robust business plan and proven net worth of at least €2 million per investor. The investment has to be good for Ireland and Irish employment, as well as be in the public interest. Invested funds must be legally acquired, cannot be borrowed, and need to be owned by you.

Alternatively, there is the endowment option where €500,000 is donated as a philanthropic contribution to an arts, sports, health, culture, or education project, to acquire the Investment Visa.

Your application must then be passed by an independent committee, which will examine your application on its unique merits.

If your IIP application is approved, you and your family will be able to enter Ireland on multi-entry investment immigration visas (or a ‘Golden Visa’). You will also have permission to remain in the country for an initial period of two years. This can be renewed for a further three years, subject to meeting certain criteria. The scheme does not offer permanent residence.

Work permits 

If you want to work in Ireland, then you’ll need an employment permit and a long-stay visa. The right permit depends on your circumstances. Some of the most common options are a General Work Permit, a Critical Skills Employment Permit, a Dependant/Partner/Spouse Work Permit and an Intra-Company Transfer Permit.

Visa appeals 

If your visa or your visa extension is refused, you can make a visa appeal. Appeals are subject to strict time limits. If you fail to make an appeal within two months, the original decision cannot be changed.

EU Treaty Rights 

If your spouse or de-facto partner moves to Ireland, you may be entitled to Irish residency under EU Treaty Rights. 

As you have an Irish-born parent, it is likely that you are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship and an Irish passport. Passport Online – Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)

Some people choose to complete this process themselves. Just contact your nearest Irish Embassy/Consulate and ask for a passport application form.

However, if you would like our help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our immigration consultants offer telephone, Zoom & Microsoft Teams consultations. They will be able to answer your questions, advising you on the procedures, time frames and fees involved in your application.

The cost of a consultation with a member of our immigration team is $299.00. 

If you are non-EAA (outside of the EU) you must apply first for an entry Visa to Ireland. Stay’s longer than 3 months require a Visa (permission to remain). But if you’re from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand you do not need a Visa to enter the country, you will be given a Visit Visa upon entering the country which lasts for 90 days.

If you are in one of the countries that require a Visa, you should apply for your Visa before coming to Ireland. The Visa required is called a Stamp 0 Visa. You can come to Ireland on a Stamp 0 Visa for a short stay. Conditions for permission on Stamp 0:

•         Income of at least €50,000 per year (If you are part of a couple, then your joint income should be €100,000 per year).
•         Access to a lump sum of money to cover any sudden expenses. This lump sum should cover the cost of a house or an apartment in Ireland (a good guide sum is the average price of a house in the US, $250,000).
•         You will need to provide evidence of your income. This must be presented in euros and certified by an Irish accountancy firm.
•         Secondly, Stamp 0 permission is given to elderly dependent relatives who are joining a family member in Ireland. This family member must be legally residing in the State, and must have sufficient funds to sponsor their elderly relative.