We are a dedicated team of immigration lawyers in Ireland who have a deep knowledge of the legislation and who can provide you with tailored assistance in obtaining various types of visas. In the process of relocating to Ireland the support of professionals is essential, which is why below we present you with the main services ourimmigration lawyers offer you. You can rely on us for guidance in applying for an array of visas and residence permits in accordance with your needs.
How can your team of lawyers assist me in immigration matters in Ireland?
If you want to relocate to Ireland and you need to complete various immigration formalities, you canrely on our lawyer for the following:
- updated information on the legislation regulating visas, residence permits, citizenship, etc.;
- assistance in helping clients select the visa type suitable to the reason of their relocation;
- assistance in preparing the visa application file;
- submission of the visa paperwork;
- ongoing legal support until the immigration formalities are completed and the client is relocated to Ireland;
- you can also rely on our immigration lawyers in Ireland for other legal matters deriving from your relocation (for example, renting/buying a property).
What types of immigration documents can foreigners obtain in Ireland?
The following types of documents can be obtained in Ireland:
- employment residence permits for non-EU citizens who need to immigrate to Ireland based on a labor contract;
- student visas available for foreign students enrolled in Irish universities and which allow the holder to work based on a part-time contract in Ireland;
- spouse or civil partner visa for non-EU and non-EEA citizens married to Irish nationals;
- Schengen visas which are granted to persons seeking to arrive in Schengen countries, Ireland being one of them;
- visas and residence permits for businesspersons and entrepreneurs – Ireland has several and ourimmigration lawyer in Ireland can assist you.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
| Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes, citizens outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland are generally required to apply for visas, although exemptions can appear. |
Types of visas available in Ireland | Transit visas, short stay visas, re-entry visas, long stay visas. |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | The issuance of a visa for immigration to Ireland can take minimum 10 days and up to 8 weeks, depending on the visa type. |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | Minimum 6-12 months, depending on the permit and the reasons of arrival. |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements | The renewal of the permit must be initiated before the expiration date. The applicant must complete an online form, upload all the documents as per the type of permit the person needs (work, business, family), pay the processing fee, then send the original documents by post. |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit in Ireland | – identity documents; – travel documents; – medical insurance; – sufficient financial funds; – documents showing the reason for which – the residence is requested; – the application form, etc. |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | The law on immigration to Ireland stipulates that one can become a permanent resident after 5 years of stay (a shorter period can apply for specific immigration programs). The issuance of the permanent residence card takes approximately 6-8 months. |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | Yes, typically for work visas. |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | After minimum 3 years of permanent residency (for foreigners married to Irish nationals). In most cases, after 5 years of permanent residency. |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | Residency by investment is available for immigration to Ireland. |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | Non-residents are charged with the personal income tax in Ireland only for the income deriving from activities carried out in this country, as long as the foreigner lives in Ireland for minimum 183 days per year. |
| Tax benefits for expats | Tax credits, deductions, reliefs. |
| Visa issuance fees | EUR 25 to EUR 100, depending on the visa requested by the foreigner. |
Fees charged for the issuance of a residence permit | EUR 300 |
Institution in charge with the immigration formalities | The procedure on how to immigrate to Ireland is handled by the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS), operating under the Department of Justice. |
| Right to appeal a visa refusal (yes/no) | Yes |
| When can a person make an appeal | A person can make an appeal for a visa refusal only if the refusal letter contains provisions which qualifies the foreigner to make an appeal (there are situations in which appeals can’t be made). If the person is entitled to make an appeal, the procedure must be initiated in maximum 2 months since the date when the letter was received, otherwise the refusal decision can’t be changed. |
| Fee exemption for the issuance of a residence permit (yes/no) | Yes |
| When can a foreigner be exempted from fee payment | – the foreigner is a refugee; the applicant is under 18 years old; – the applicant is married to an Irish citizen; – the person benefits from subsidiary protection; – the person received the leave to remain in Ireland as per the rules of the International Protection Act; – the foreigner is a family member of an EU citizen. |
| How long does it take to obtain a business visa? | The procedure on how to immigrate to Ireland for business purposes is rather simple, as the business visa can be processed in 10 days. |
| Registration obligations | Upon the arrival in the state, the foreign visa holder/residence permit holder must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau operating in the region where the person lives. |
| What happens in case of overstaying a visa? | The foreigner can be fined, can be deported and can receive an interdiction to return to Ireland (this can depend on the person’s circumstances, such as the visa he/she hold, the duration of the overstay, the activities carried out in Ireland in the overstay period, etc.). |
| Ways to acquire citizenship | A foreigner can obtain citizenship by naturalization, by Irish descent or by marriage with an Irish citizen. |
| Requirements for citizenship by naturalization | The rules can slightly vary based on the grounds on which naturalization is acquired (residency, marriage, refugee status, etc.), but in general, the following must be met: – have an age of 18 years old; – have 1 year of continuous residency in Ireland prior to the application; – have Ireland as the primary residence in the last 4 years (as a permanent resident); – be of good character; – show intention to remain in Ireland; – participate in a citizenship ceremony; – make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish state. |
| Fees for citizenship application | The application costs EUR 175. Successful applicants are issued with a certificate of citizenship, which costs EUR 950 for adult applicants, EUR 200 for the spouse of an Irish citizen and EUR 0 for refugees/stateless persons. |
| Residency rights for refugees | Refugees can receive the right to residency in Ireland for 3 years, at the end of which they can apply for Irish citizenship. They are entitled to work without applying for a work permit, start a business, study, receive public medical services, apply for a travel document (similar to a passport), apply for family reunification. |
| Laws on immigration in Ireland | The rules on how to immigrate to Ireland are given by the Aliens Act 1935 and the Immigration Act 2004. |
Who should ask for assistance in applying for a residence permit in Ireland?
The Irish residence permit is required for foreign citizens coming from non-EU and non-EEA countries, and it is necessary for those who want to stay in Ireland for a period longer than 90 days.
When can I apply for a permanent residence permit?
In order to apply for a permanent residence permit, you need to make the proof of living in this country for a period of at least 5 years. Other conditions apply and they depend on the type of visa you obtained when you first arrived in this country.
Are there any fees for the issuance of a permanent residence permit?
Yes, the Irish authorities responsible for the issuance of a permanent residence permit charge fees. However, it must be noted that the fee is applied only after the processing of the application and only if the application has been formally approved. Since the date of the approval, the individual has 28 days to pay the EUR 500 processing fee.
Below, you can watch a video on how to immigrate to Ireland:
What happens if my application is rejected?
If your application for permanent residency has been rejected, you will be informed on the reasons of the refusal. Please mind that the law does not offer the right to appeal the decision. However, you can restart the application process.
What are the options for business immigration in Ireland?
Entrepreneurs from foreign states have several investment options that allow them to permanentlymove to Ireland. Among these, we present the following:
- the Start-Up Entrepreneur Program which requires a minimum investment of EUR 50,000;
- the Irish Diaspora Loan Fund which also requires a minimum investment of EUR 1 million.
How can one participate in the Irish Start-up Entrepreneur Program?
The Irish Start-up Entrepreneur Program (STEP) is one of the business programs through which investors can relocate to Ireland. It is addressed to any foreign investor residing outside the European Economic Area (EEA), as long as he or she meets the minimum criteria, one of them being to invest in a start-up business.
How can I relocate to Ireland for skilled employment?
If you want to arrive here for skilled employment, you can apply for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which grants the right to residence in Ireland for a period of 2 years and it also allows arriving here with close family members. You need to have a job offer in Ireland and meet specific yearly salary thresholds.
What are the main ways of acquiring citizenship in Ireland?
Foreigners have the right to obtain citizenship, as long as they meet the basic requirements imposed for the type of citizenship they qualify. The current legislation recognizes the following types of citizenships:
- citizenship by naturalization;
- citizenship by marriage to an Irish national;
- citizenship by descent;
- citizenship by birth (being born on the Irish territory does not automatically grant the right to citizenship, as certain basic conditions are imposed);
- citizenship acquired as a stateless person.
Who can be an Irish citizen by birth?
Persons who were born in Ireland prior to 1st of January 2005 are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship by birth, but those who are born after this date can receive citizenship only in certain situations that refer to the citizenship of their parents or their residency.
The infographic below presents the basic details concerning immigration to Ireland:
Do I need to pay processing fees for citizenship applications?
In the case you want to apply forcitizenship in Ireland, you must know that the Immigration Service Delivery will charge a processing fee. All applicants are required to pay a standard fee of EUR 175. This is imposed regardless if the applicant will receive the citizenship or not. For successful applicants, a fee of EUR 175/EUR 950 will be charged for the issuance of the citizenship certificate.
Do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyer in Ireland who can guide you on the best type of Irish residence permit available in your case. Our team can also guide you in the process of obtaining the Irish citizenship.