Irish Citizenship: How to Become One?

Naturalization or ancestry are the two main ways to prove Irish citizenship. It is extremely easy to establish citizenship through ancestry. It takes quite a bit longer to become a citizen through naturalization.

Dual Citizenship in Ireland

Getting dual citizenship in Ireland is also very easy. Dual citizenship allows you to hold both citizenship in your country of origin and an Irish passport at the same time. However, dual citizenship has many benefits, some drawbacks (such as paying tax in both countries).

How to Get Irish Citizenship by Naturalization?

If you plan to become an Irish citizen through naturalization, you must first prove that you have been a resident in Ireland for five out of the previous nine years.

While you can move in and out of the country over the years, you must live in the country for a year before applying. A minimum of 1,460 days must also have been spent in the country in the last eight years.

You must maintain your immigration residence throughout that period. You must show that you remained in Ireland legally during those years. This can be verified by permission stamps issued by the Irish immigration authorities.

A civil partnership or marriage to an Irish citizen can speed up the application process. You can acquire citizenship through naturalization if you’ve been married to an Irish citizen for three years.

How to Get Irish Citizenship through Ancestry?

Your ancestry is one of the easiest ways to obtain citizenship in Ireland. Many people acquire Irish citizenship through their grandparents. In order to qualify, you must prove that you are the child or grandchild of an Irish citizen. You can establish citizenship through ancestry if one of your parents was born in Ireland or if you have Irish grandparents.

If one of your great-grandparents was born in Ireland, you might even qualify for citizenship through ancestry. If your parents wish to do so, they must establish their own ancestry with the Foreign Births Register. Just having a great-grandparent born on the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland) qualifies you as long as your parents did.

Your parents would have had to register before your birth if you were born after 1986. Your parents can have registered between 1956 and 1986 if you were born before 1986. Each generation should register with the Foreign Births Register. Future generations will be able to retain their ancestral citizenship.

It’s still important to register your foreign birth even if you’re not interested in becoming an Irish citizen. Taking this step ensures that your children will be able to establish citizenship in the future, should they wish to do so.

Below you will find more information on the Foreign Births Registry.

How to Apply for Irish Citizenship?

Each type of citizenship has a different application process.

How to Apply for Irish Citizenship through Ancestry?

Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade if you were born outside the country and want to become a citizen through ancestry. Registration with the Foreign Births Registry is the first step in the application process.

Your Foreign Births Registry application must be accompanied by passport-sized photos. Additionally, your application must be signed and dated by you and a witness.

It is important to keep in mind that not just anyone can serve as a witness. A police officer, a doctor, a lawyer, and a school principal are some examples of acceptable witnesses.

There is a fee associated with the application to the Foreign Births Registry. There is a charge of 278 Euros (approximately $312 USD) for adults over 18. It costs 153 Euros (approximately $172 USD) for applicants under 18.

The approval process usually takes between six and nine months, but it can take up to a year.

How to Apply for Irish Citizenship through Naturalization?

Fill out the appropriate application form to apply for citizenship through naturalization. Various applications are available, depending on your age, circumstances, and where you live.

To complete the citizenship application process, there are a few basic requirements.

The following are essential:

• The applicant should be 18 or over, or married to an Irish citizen (children’s applications will be handled by a parent or guardian)
• Meet the residency or marriage requirements
• Continually plan to live in Ireland
• During an official citizenship ceremony, make a declaration of fidelity
• Good character is essential.

Don’t be discouraged if you are unable to meet these requirements.

You can be granted citizenship without meeting these requirements if you have Irish associations, work in the Irish public service, are a refugee, or are “related by affinity” to an Irish citizen. Here are but a few of the reasons why the Minister may grant you citizenship outside of the official rules.

Depending on how you have proved naturalization, whether or not you are a Swiss national, and other factors, you may apply differently.

Ensure you have all the necessary documents (such as a marriage certificate or bank statements) before applying. The documents required depend on the application type.

As soon as you have collected all the necessary documents and the form is accurate and fully filled out, you will sign it in front of a witness before submitting it. For your convenience, each application form has a checklist to help ensure you complete each step correctly.

Fees are charged in two ways. 175 Euros is the application fee. For a certificate of approval and citizenship, the fee ranges from free (for refugees) to 950 euros.

Visit the INIS website for more information and to access the appropriate forms.

Irish Citizenship Benefits

Being an Irish citizen has many benefits.

Your passport will be Irish, which is one of the biggest benefits. You can travel visa-free (or visa on arrival) to 183 different countries with an Irish passport. These countries include most European nations, most South American nations, and Canada. The UAE and Japan are also on the list.

In terms of travel freedom, Ireland ranks 6th globally. An Irish passport entitles you to spend up to 180 days in Peru, Panama, and Mexico at a time. Barbados, Canada, and Japan allow you to stay for up to six months. Irish passports are therefore preferred by many foreigners, especially those who travel frequently.

The right to vote in Irish elections is another benefit of Irish citizenship. Furthermore, you can not only vote in elections, but you can also run for a position in the Irish government.

Final Words

Ireland offers several ways to acquire Irish citizenship for foreign nationals. A person can become an Irish citizen through their ancestry or naturalization – and naturalization takes even less time if they are married to an Irish citizen.

Dual citizenship is also allowed in Ireland. With an Irish passport, you’ll be able to keep your passport from your home country and enjoy the travel freedom associated with it.

Additionally, there are other benefits.

Depending on where you live in or near a major city, the cost of living in Ireland can be high. However, heating costs, satellite TV, and other incidentals can be much cheaper than in the United States. The country has a socialized or subsidized, healthcare system, and many ex-pats choose international major medical insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Irish citizenship through my child?

Both you and the other parent of your child were not born in Ireland. However, one of you is an Irish citizen, so your child can get Irish citizenship, but you must register the birth in the Foreign Birth Register. Once your child is enrolled in the Foreign Birth Register, they can apply for an Irish passport.

Can I get an Irish passport through my grandparents?

Your Irish citizenship may be granted if one of your grandparents was born in Ireland but neither of your parents was. Your birth will need to be registered in the Foreign Births Register.

Can a British citizen get an Irish passport through marriage?

Those who are married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen can apply to become Irish citizens by naturalization. The applicant must have lived continuously in Ireland or Northern Ireland for 12 months before applying.

Can I hold a British and Irish passport?

A British citizen may be able to hold both a British and an Irish passport. As long as you can provide evidence that you are an Irish citizen, you are able to possess both passports. Dual citizenship is not allowed in all countries, but Ireland and the UK are two of them.

How long does it take to get Irish citizenship?

The majority of naturalisation applications are processed within 12 months. Within a few weeks, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will inform you whether your application has passed the initial processing stage.

How to get Irish citizenship by descent?

You must register with the Foreign Birth Registration if your Irish parent was born outside of Ireland. It is possible to become an Irish citizen if your grandparents were born in Ireland, but neither your parents were. Your birth must be registered in the Foreign Births Register.