Ireland Immigration From the UAE

The beautiful island of Ireland is an attractive destination for immigrants of all nationalities and consistently ranks as one of the best countries to move to in Europe. Its friendly and inclusive culture provides a warm and welcoming environment for foreign nationals.

Ireland is a great destination for UAE nationals for various reasons, including:

• Economic Opportunities: Ireland has a strong and stable economy and is a hub for global tech and pharmaceutical giants like Apple, Google, and Pfizer. This provides lots of job opportunities for the Irish people and skilled immigrants
• Excellent Education System: Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world and is home to many world-class higher institutions. Its universities attract thousands of international students annually.
• Stunning Natural Environment: The Irish landscape is simply breathtaking, moving gracefully from rolling hills to rugged coastlines. You can hike or cycle through the hills to enjoy stunning views of the environment
• High Quality of Life: Ireland consistently ranks high on most quality of life indices thanks to its strong social infrastructure, excellent healthcare, and strong economy
• Safety: Low crime rates and strict gun control laws make Ireland one of the safest countries worldwide. It consistently ranks high on the Global Peace Index and other safety indices
• Easy Access to Europe and the UK: The Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union, so residents enjoy free travel access to EU member states. It also maintains a Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement with the UK, making it easy for Irish residents to travel to the UK

Page Contents

• Why Immigrate to Ireland from the UAE?
• Irish Immigration Areas We Cover
• Eligibility Requirements for Ireland Immigration
• Registration of Your Permission in Ireland
• Our Irish Immigration Services
• Cost of Living in Ireland
• Why Choose Our Ireland Immigration Lawyers
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Long-Stay Visas & Residency

Long Stay ‘D’ visas allow UAE nationals to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days for various purposes. The Long Stay ‘D’ visa is an umbrella for all the various visa routes that allow non-EU/EEA nationals to study, work, or settle in Ireland long-term. Visa categories under the Long Stay ‘D’ visa classification include:

• Study visas
• Employment visas
• Join Family visas

Once you arrive in Ireland on a long-stay visa, you must obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) within 3 months of arrival to be eligible for long-term residence.

Irish Immigration Stamps

Immigration stamps are used to denote the type of authorisation you have to stay in Ireland and the conditions of your stay. There are several types of Irish immigration stamps. Some count towards meeting the reckonable residence requirement for permanent residency and naturalisation, while others do not.

Irish immigration stamps are as follows:

• Stamp 0: For non-EEA retirees, visiting academics, persons of independent means, and elderly dependent relatives of non-EU/EEA nationals
• Stamp 1: For individuals granted authorisation to work or operate a business in Ireland
• Stamp 1A: For individuals undergoing paid accountancy training for a specified period in an Irish company
• Stamp 1G: For international graduates of Irish universities and colleges who want to stay back to look for employment in Ireland. It is also issued to spouses and partners of holders of critical skill employment permits and researchers under a hosting agreement
• Stamp 2: For international students undergoing full-time studies in courses/programmes on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes
• Stamp 2A: For those engaged in full-time studies in courses not listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes
• Stamp 3: For volunteers in a charity or non-profit organisation, religious ministers, and spouses/partners of non-EEA citizens residing in Ireland on a work permit
• Stamp 4: For family members of Irish and EEA citizens, persons granted refugee status, and persons granted permission for long-term residence in Ireland who can study, work, or start a business without requiring additional permits
• Stamp 4D: For non-EEA family members of UK nationals who want to reside in Ireland
• Stamp 5: For those granted permission to stay in Ireland without time conditions or limits. It is Ireland’s permanent residence stamp
• Stamp 6: For those who have been granted Irish citizenship by naturalisation and now hold dual citizenship

Citizenship & Naturalisation

UAE nationals can qualify for Irish citizenship by naturalisation after residing in Ireland for a specified duration. You’ll need to have at least 5 years (1,825 days) of reckonable residence in Ireland to qualify for Irish naturalisation. It can be any 5 years within the last 9 years; however, you must have at least 1 year of continuous residence in the period immediately preceding your citizenship application.

Reckonable residence refers to the period of stay that counts towards qualifying for naturalisation. And not all stays in Ireland qualify as reckonable residence. Reckonable residence includes stays on the following Irish immigration stamps:

• Stamp 1
• Stamp 1G
• Stamp 3
• Stamp 4
• Stamp 4D
• Stamp 5

Residence in Ireland under immigration stamps other than these does not count as reckonable residence. You’ll have to switch to a qualifying visa/stamp if you intend to settle permanently in Ireland.

If you’re already a resident in Ireland and want to settle here, our immigration lawyers can help assess your immigration history and calculate your reckonable residence. We will also assist you in compiling your Irish naturalisation application.

Asylum and Refugee

You can apply for international protection in Ireland if you are escaping persecution in your country or can’t return to the UAE because you face a risk of serious harm. This is called ‘claiming asylum.’ You can apply for asylum at the port of entry upon arrival in Ireland.

The asylum process involves rigorous assessments, which include attending several interviews, telling your story to the authorities, and completing a questionnaire. You’ll need legal assistance to navigate this process, and our immigration lawyers at Total Law can provide the support you need to secure your protection.

If the International Protection Office (IPO) approves your asylum application, you’ll be granted refugee status and issued a Stamp 4 permit. You can then apply for naturalisation as an Irish citizen after 5 years of reckonable residence.

The eligibility requirements for Irish immigration vary, depending on the specific Irish visa types. However, there are general eligibility and documentation requirements that cut across all visa types. The following are some of the requirements.

You must:

• Have a current passport that is valid for the entire duration of your stay
• Complete and submit the appropriate online visa application form
• Provide all required documentation to support your application. The specific documents depend on the type of visa you’re applying for. This could include identity documents, academic qualification documents, passport photographs, an employment offer, evidence of adequate accommodation in Ireland, and health insurance
• Pay the visa application fee and other required charges
• Provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself in Ireland
• Provide proof of proficiency in the English language
• Certified translations of all documents not written in English or the Irish language

If you’re granted a visa to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days as a UAE national, you must register your immigration permission with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). You’ll be issued an Irish Residence Permit (IRP), an official document proving your legal status in Ireland.

There are several types of IRPs denoted by numbers, i.e, Stamp 1, Stamp 2, Stamp 3, etc. The type of permit you receive denotes the type of permission you have and what you can and cannot do in Ireland.

If you’re registering your permission to stay for the first time, you must schedule an appointment with the ISD at Burgh Quay in Dublin within 90 days of arriving in Ireland. If you fail to register your permission within this timeframe without reasonable justifications, your application may be refused, and you may be issued a deportation notice.

Your IRP will be sent to you by post within 10 – 15 days of attending your registration appointment. However, there may be delays during peak periods, such as the start of an academic year. Once you’ve obtained your IRP, you can apply for a renewal up to 12 weeks before its expiry date. The immigration permission renewal application is done online.

The cost of living in Ireland ranges from moderate to high, depending on location in Ireland and lifestyle choices. Housing and utilities comprise the highest expenditures for most Irish residents.

According to the Numbeo cost of living calculator, the average cost of living in Ireland for a single person is €982.2, excluding rent. For a family of 4, the cost of living amounts to about €3,500. Rent for a one-bedroom in downtown Dublin is about €1,549, while a 3-bedroom apartment costs €2,562.

Irish immigration rules can be complex to navigate for most immigrants. Hence, the need for legal guidance and support to ensure compliance with Irish laws and improve chances of obtaining positive outcomes.

Our Ireland immigration lawyers are well-equipped to help you navigate the complexities of Irish immigration rules. We are conversant with the rules of the Irish immigration system and understand what the Immigration Service Delivery requires to approve an Irish visa or resident/work permit application.

We’ve helped thousands of immigrants of all nationalities, including Emiratis and asylum seekers, to acquire legal status and settle in Ireland. We can also do the same for you. Contact us today at (+353) 061 518 025 to get immediate support and guidance from one of our solicitors.