Ireland

 

To immigrate to Ireland, a foreign national has to apply for an Irish visa. Depending on the purpose and duration of the visit to Ireland, the appropriate type of visa is to be applied. One can apply for employment visa, study visa, tourist visa, family visa or citizenship visa in Ireland. 

 

To reside and work in Ireland a foreign national requires an employment visa. With this type of visa one can live in Ireland for a specified time period unless he/she applies for permanent residency during his/her stay in this country. A foreign resident can apply to reside and take up employment in Ireland by applying for a work permit, Green Card, Intra Company Transfer permit, business visa or working holiday visa. 

 

A person from outside Ireland can relocate to this country to pursue a study program if he/she possesses an Irish student visa. A letter of acceptance for pursuing a full time course from a recognized academic institution is to be submitted along with the application. With a study visa in Ireland, students can take up work to meet their expenses. They are allowed to work only 20 hours per week. 

 

Spouse and dependant family members of an Intra Company Transfer permit, Green Card or work permit holder are allowed to relocate to Ireland. In Ireland, spouse and dependent visas are normally issued to coincide with the immigration status of the main applicant. Permits will be granted to match the duration of the primary candidate's work permit, ICT or Green Card application.

 

Family members of the main applicant will be also allowed to work in Ireland by applying for separate work permit. 

 

With a tourist visa, one can visit Ireland for the purpose of tourism or to meet family members and friends. An Irish tourist visa holder is allowed to stay here for a period of 3 months. This type of visa is meant for short-term residency and a person has to return to his/her country of residence as soon as the tourist visa expires. 

 

A person can apply for citizenship in Ireland if he/she was born in this country, if he/she was born in any other country but one of the parents is a citizen of Ireland, if he/she is married to an Irish citizen.

 

For those migrating to Ireland who wish to naturalise after a period of residence in the country on an Irish visa or work permit the key requirement is that an applicant must have lived in Ireland for five years.