How To Apply For Citizenship Of Ireland?

Do you want to apply for Irish citizenship? Here is a quick guide to how you can apply for it. The citizenship requirements are pretty complex. The applicant interested in upgrading their residency to citizenship should have lived in the Republic of Ireland for five years. You have to fulfill certain basic requirements to be eligible. You must be of good character, prove a genuine commitment to the state, as well as promising to uphold the values of the country and follow its laws. 

It is even possible to apply for citizenship in Ireland while you are already a citizen of another country, also known as dual citizenship. For this to be possible, the country where you already hold citizenship should also support dual citizenship. Many countries require you to give up your previous citizenship to get accepted into another one. You can contact an immigration lawyer and find out what your options are. 

There are many routes you can take to apply for citizenship in Ireland. One is to become an Irish citizen through naturalization. To do this, you must be a resident in Ireland for a full year prior to applying, and for the next four years in the eight preceding that. To simplify the complex calculation, the department provides a helpful calculator to see if you are eligible for Irish citizenship based on your residency. 

Aside from the above, there is also a citizenship route for refugees, or for those qualifying on humanitarian grounds. The rules for children vary slightly than elders. 

There is no route to become a citizen of Ireland directly through investment, but you can be granted Irish residency based on certain investments. 

You can apply for Irish citizenship if your parents or grandparents are Irish, or fulfill certain residency criteria. You might need to have your birth entered into the foreign birth registers and claim your Irish citizenship before you obtain your Irish passport or be able to move on. You can easily get the information from the citizenship information website if you are applying for citizenship through descent depending upon your age and birthplace. 

You can also apply for Irish citizenship on the basis of your marriage. You are only eligible if you have been married or you are in a recognized civil partnership for at least three years. Your application is only accepted if you are living legally and living together for the full year before filling for the application.

If you believe you are eligible to apply for Irish citizenship, then you can apply for citizenship using the forms available online at the Department of Justice and Equality. There is a fee to pay, EUR 175 for each application submitted. Payment can only be made through bank draft with an Irish bank. Once your citizenship is accepted, you can apply for an Irish passport.    

If you have any doubts about which route is suitable for you and the steps you need to take, you can seek help from an immigration lawyer.