Citizenship

 

Applying for Irish citizenship is possible for those who were born in Ireland, those who are married to an existing Irish citizen and through the process of Irish naturalisation.

 

Irish naturalisation brings with it all the benefits enjoyed by Irish citizens, including the right to live and work in Ireland on a permanent basis and the right to vote.

 

As with naturalisation in any country, a grant of citizenship is the concluding step in relocating to Ireland. Citizenship is not gained easily, and for those who wish to naturalise as an immigrant, a minimum residency requirement will be necessary as well as the fulfilment of other criteria.

 

The benefits of naturalising are self-evident; Irish citizens are granted the right to reside in the country permanently and are permitted to seek and undertake employment in whichever field they choose.

 

With this visa, no restrictions are placed upon the applicant's right to continue living and working in Ireland.

 

Candidates can apply for Irish naturalization if: they were born in Ireland, they are pursuing citizenship based upon marriage and if they wish to naturalise after a period of residence in the country on an Irish visa or work permit.

 

For those migrating to Ireland who wish to naturalise under the third route, the key requirement is that an applicant must have lived in Ireland for five years.

 

The applicant must be a resident in Ireland at the time of the application and must have lived in Ireland for five of the nine years directly preceding the submission.

 

In addition, the applicant must have spent the last year of this nine-year period in continual residence in Ireland.

 

Candidates wishing to apply for Irish citizenship through the residence route must also be able to fulfil the following requirements:

 

- Applicants must be aged at least 18 years. 

 

- Applicants must be considered to be of good character. Ireland's national police the Garda Síochána will provide a report into the background of each candidate. 

 

- Candidates must be able to demonstrate that it is their intention to continue living in Ireland after the process is complete. In addition, it will be necessary to make a formal declaration of loyalty to the state. 

 

It is important to note that whilst applicants in possession of Irish work permits and Irish green cards may apply for naturalisation in Ireland subject to meeting the residency requirement, holders of Intra Company Transfer permits may not. These are specifically intended as a temporary measure designed to aid the operations of a company; applicants must return on or before the expiry of such a permit.

 

If a person is born in Ireland, then the candidate will automatically qualify for Irish citizenship. A person may be granted citizenship in Ireland even if he or she is born outside Ireland but either the father or the mother of the applicant is an Irish citizenship by birth. If the applicant is born outside Ireland but his or her parents are Irish citizens then the candidate has to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs or with the Irish Embassy. 

 

A person can also apply for Irish citizenship if his or her grandparents were born in Ireland. But the person has to provide evidence of direct kinship. As documentary evidence, one can provide marriage, birth or death certificate. Driving license and passport can be also presented as evidence. 

 

Applying to become an Irish citizen on the basis of marriage is valid where an applicant has been married for three years or more to an existing citizen who has held citizenship status for the same period.

 

Applications must be accompanied by a marriage certificate and proof of the citizen's status as well as documentary proof and a written statement of your marriage and cohabitation status.