Ireland Citizenship

Applying for Irish citizenship offers successful candidates the right to remain in Ireland indefinitely, to vote in democratic elections, to hold an Irish passport and to live and work in Ireland as they see fit for any employer they choose without restriction. An Irish citizenship application may be submitted on the grounds of a candidate being born in Ireland, through their marriage to an existing Irish citizen, or through the process of Irish naturalisation which applies to overseas citizens with no ancestral claim to citizenship who have nonetheless been living and working in Ireland for a minimum period of residency.

You can begin your application for Irish citizenship today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. As specialists in Irish visas and immigration services, we assist with everything from working holiday visas to Irish green cards and citizenship applications. Just complete one of our assessment forms today and one of our friendly immigration consultants will contact you.

The Benefits of Irish Citizenship

The key benefits of Irish citizenship are that it confers the same rights and privileges enjoyed by indigenous Irish citizens, including the right to vote. Irish citizenship is irrevocable and unlike the Irish green card and Irish work permit, citizenship does not depend upon a job offer, it does not need to be extended according to the continual satisfaction of requirements and successful applicants may seek and undertake employment as they wish.

Eligibility Requirements – Applying for Irish Citizenship

Irish naturalization – Becoming an Irish Citizen

As with US citizenship, the key to Irish citizenship is meeting the minimum residency requirements, which in this case require candidates to have been living and working in Ireland for a minimum of five years. During the year directly before the application for Irish citizenship is submitted the applicant must have been living in Ireland continuously and overall the five years residency must be within the last nine years as a whole. An application for Irish citizenship cannot be made from outside Ireland.

When applying for Irish citizenship, the candidate’s genuine wish to settle in Ireland and to integrate into the Irish way of life will be considered. Candidates must intend to make Ireland their main home, to live and work in Ireland, and emphasising the commitment to integration, applicants must swear an oath of loyalty. Applicants will be subjected to background checks and in all cases applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Irish Citizenship by Birth

Applying for Irish citizenship through birth applies not only to those who were physically born in Ireland, but also to those who can claim a parental link to the country through at least one parent who was born in Ireland and is in possession of Irish citizenship. It may also be possible to apply for citizenship based upon the Irish birth of a grandparent; however, a greater burden of proof will be placed upon such applications requiring a detailed range of documentary evidence to support the application. Your Global visas immigration consultant will be able to discuss the exact requirements of your application with you during your consultation.

Irish Citizenship by Marriage

Becoming an Irish citizen through marriage applies to those who have been married to an Irish citizen for a minimum period of three years. The party already in possession of citizenship must have held it for at least three years and evidence of the marriage will need to be provided along with proof that parties are cohabiting and that they intend to continue to do so once citizenship is granted.

The Global Visas online assessment tool makes it easy to find out whether you qualify for Irish citizenship and to begin your application today. A specialist Irish immigration consultant will contact you to discuss your case further.