Irish Residency: Apply from the USA

You may apply for residency in Ireland on the basis of several different claims.

Note that specific claims for residency may require additional applications or certificates. Claims for residency in Ireland may be based on:

• Strong familial ties to an Irish citizen
• Marriage to an Irish citizen
• Civil partnership with an Irish citizen
• Relationships with EEA/ Swiss nationals who are residents in Ireland
• Employment

Qualifying familial ties must be immediate family, such as an Irish parent.

If you are applying for residency in Ireland on the basis of employment, you will need to register for an employment permit in order to receive immigration permission.

Once you have been living in Ireland under certain approved work authorizations for five years, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence.

There are some instances in which you are not eligible for residency in Ireland. These include:

• If you have been living in Ireland on a study visa
• You are an employee of a foreign embassy
• You are living in Ireland as an intra-company transferee

When you submit your application for Irish residency to the INIS, you will need to include a number of required documents.

The purpose of these documents is to confirm your identification and evidence of your claim for residency.

Missing or fraudulent documents can cause your residency application to be delayed or rejected.

Supporting documentation may include:

• Completed application form
• Bank statements
• Original US passport
• Original birth certificate
• Original marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Original passport and birth certificate of the applicant’s Irish spouse/civil partner
• Documents that prove the applicant’s sponsor has the independent means to support themselves and their partner financially during the term of residency
• Paystubs showing individual income
• Documents that support refugee status if applicable
• Documents supporting reckonable residence
• Employment permit if applicable

You should include a photocopy of all documents. Original documents will be returned to you by post.

All required documentation that is not originally in the English or Irish language must have certified translated copies made and submitted along with your application package.

Letters from companies, universities, colleges, or professional courses must be on an official headed paper.

You will typically need to apply to the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service by filling out the written physical application form and submitting it by mail. If you have entered Ireland legally within the last 90 days, you may be able to apply for residency from within Ireland.

The application process for Irish residency has several steps:

1. Submit your preclearance application

   When your preclearance application is accepted, you will receive a letter of approval which you must take with you and present to the immigration officer at border control when you enter Ireland. Immigration officers will review your documents at the border and determine that you have a valid reason for entering the country.

2. Apply for a work permit (if applicable)

   If you are applying for residency on the basis of employment, you will need to apply for a work permit prior to submitting your residency application. You may apply for one of nine employment permits depending on the nature of your work:

   • Critical skills employment permit
   • General employment permit
   • Internship employment permit
   • Reactivation employment permit
   • Contract for a services employment permit
   • Dependent/partner/spouse employment permit
   • Intra-company transfer permit
   • Exchange agreement employment permit
   • Sports and cultural employment permit

3. Submit your residency application and pay the fees

   You will need to register with the local immigration office in Ireland and pay the Irish Residence Permit fee.