Ireland Citizenship

Irish citizenship may be obtained through birth, by marriage or through the process of Irish naturalisation. Citizenship allows successful applicants to enjoy the same benefits and privileges afforded to indigenous Irish citizens including the right to vote, and allows them to live and work in Ireland indefinitely for any employer they wish.

You can find out whether you qualify for a grant of Irish citizenship and begin your application today by visiting the online assessment area. As specialists in Irish visas and immigration services, our team of qualified immigration lawyers and migration consultants are committed to ensuring that you obtain the right visa service for your needs. Visit the online assessment area now to get started.

Why apply for Irish Citizenship?

As outlined above the key benefits of Irish citizenship are that successful applicants may enjoy permanent and irrevocable residency in Ireland. Unlike an Irish work permit and the Irish green card, applicants are not obliged to work for a specific employer or in a pre-arranged position and no time limits are placed upon their stay. Irish citizens may remain in Ireland permanently and may seek and undertake employment as they see fit.

Applying for Irish Citizenship - Eligibility

Irish citizenship may be obtained through one of three routes; via birth, via marriage or by undergoing the process of Irish naturalization after meeting the minimum residency requirements. The last of these routes applies to those who have been living and working in Ireland for an extended period, through an Irish visa service such as a work permit or a green card.

Citizenship through Irish Naturalization

In Ireland, citizenship through naturalisation requires candidates to have been living in Ireland for a minimum of five years. Applications must be made from within Ireland and the residency requirements demand that the applicant must have spent at least five of the nine years prior to the application living in Ireland. The last year of this period must have been spent in continual residence in Ireland.

Citizenship of Ireland rests upon the candidate’s genuine desire and intention to make Ireland their permanent home and to integrate with Irish society. The applicant must intend to continue living and working in Ireland and they will need to make a formal declaration of loyalty to Ireland. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and it will be necessary to undergo background checks by the Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, to ensure that they are of good character.

Irish green card holders and those in possession of Irish work permits may be able to apply for Irish citizenship once the minimum residency requirements are met. However, it is important to note that Intra Company Transfer holders will not be eligible to apply. Intra Company Transfers (ICTs) are issued as a strictly temporary Irish immigration service and applicants will be obliged to return to their country of residency once the permit has expired.

Irish Citizenship by Birth

Overseas nationals who were born in Ireland may apply for Irish citizenship through birth as may those born overseas who have at least one parent with Irish citizenship who was born in Ireland. Applications for citizenship which are based upon the nationality of a grandparent may still qualify, however in these circumstances, applicants must be able to provide evidence of direct kinship through documentation including birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Irish Citizenship by Marriage

Applications for Irish citizenship based upon the applicant being married to an existing Irish citizens require the marriage to have been in place for at least three years. In addition the existing Irish citizen must have held his or her citizenship status for at least three years. In all cases evidence of the marriage must be supplied, usually in the form of a marriage certificate and it must be shown that the applicant and their sponsor are cohabiting.

Set your Irish citizenship application in motion today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. Simply take a moment to complete once of our application forms and a consultant will contact you to discuss your case.