Irish Residency: How to Apply from the USA
If you are a US citizen considering moving to Ireland, you may want to apply for an Irish Residence Permit or permanent residency.
If you would like to apply for Irish residency as a citizen of the US, contact Total Law for assistance. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers today. Call +1 844 290 6312 or use the online live chat.
What is Irish Residency for US Citizens?
Irish residency is a legal status that implies you are living in Ireland with permission from the immigration authorities.
If you plan to enter Ireland to stay for a short-term period, you don’t need to apply for permanent residency or a residence card. US citizens can visit Ireland for up to 90 days without a visa or residency.
If you have the intention of staying in Ireland for longer than 90 days, you must apply for preclearance prior to traveling to the country. You must obtain the Ireland Residence Permit (IRP) if you stay in Ireland longer than 90 days. This is a certificate of registration that says you have legal residence and have obtained all immigration permissions necessary.
When granted Irish permanent residency, you will receive a Stamp 4 on your passport. This stamp is valid for five years. After five years, you may be eligible for renewal.
After eight years of legal residence in Ireland, you may apply for a “Without Condition As To Time” endorsement which will allow you to stay indefinitely.
Eligibility Criteria for Irish Residency
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 to receive immigration permission.
Once you have lived in Ireland under certain approved work authorizations for five years, you can 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
Irish Immigrant Investor Programme for US Citizens
US citizens may also be eligible to move to Ireland under the Immigrant Investor Programme.
This will enable the applicant and their immediate family to move to Ireland for up to five years with a minimum investment of €1 million.
Ireland Residency Requirements for US Citizens
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.
How To Apply for Ireland Permanent Residency
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:
-
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 your valid reason for entering the country.
-
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 before 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
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Submit your residency application and pay the fees
You must register with the local immigration office in Ireland and pay the Irish Residence Permit fee.
Ireland Permanent Residency Fees for US Citizens
The Irish Residence Permit costs €300 which can be paid by bank draft or money order.
| Residency Type | Fee (EUR) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Residence Permit (IRP) | €300 | Fee for obtaining the IRP for non-EEA nationals, including US citizens, who plan to stay over 3 months |
| Permanent Residency Application | €500 | Fee required after receiving approval for Long Term Residency; must be paid within 28 days of approval |
| Naturalization Application Fee | €175 | Initial fee for applying for Irish citizenship through naturalization |
| Certification Fee (Naturalization) | €950 | Additional fee upon approval of naturalization application, varies by applicant status |
| Dependent Family Members | Varies | Each dependent must apply for their own residence permit, fees may apply based on individual circumstances. |
You may be exempt from paying the fee if you:
- Have refugee status or subsidiary protection status
- Are in Ireland under leave to remain
- Are under the age of 18
- Are applying for residency based on marriage to an Irish citizen
- Are applying for residency based on familial ties to an EU citizen
Irish Residence Permit Processing Time
Typically, residency applications are processed between 6 and 8 months after you submit them. However, depending on your situation and supporting evidence, it can take much longer.
The processing time for a US citizen to achieve Irish residency can vary based on the route of immigration and the conditions at the time. You may need to complete several steps throughout the process and wait for each response. These can include:
- Immigration preclearance
- Employment permits
- Residency application
How Total Law Can Help US Citizens Apply for Irish Residency?
With Total Law, your residency application can be assembled by our team of professional immigration lawyers. With our expert knowledge, we can ensure your supporting documents are correct and your residency application has the best chance of approval.
Your Total Law advisor will provide you with all the necessary advice and up-to-date guidelines on Irish residency for US citizens.
For further information, contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 or use our online contact form to get in touch with our team of qualified immigration lawyers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can still keep your US citizenship and become a resident of Ireland. A residence is not the same as citizenship. While permanent residence will grant you a number of benefits in Ireland, it does not entitle you to Irish citizenship or an Irish passport. If you would like to apply for citizenship, you will need to complete a separate process.
Triple or multiple citizenship is allowed in Ireland. If you already hold two citizenships, you are still eligible to become a resident of Ireland or apply for citizenship in Ireland without renouncing the citizenships you already hold.
To retire to Ireland you have several choices as a US citizen. If you are the elderly dependent parent of an Irish citizen, you may apply for Stamp 0. Like the Irish Residence Permit, to be eligible for Stamp 0, you will need to meet specific circumstances. You will have to prove that you are fully financially self-sufficient, don’t intend to work in Ireland, and don’t intend to receive any state benefits.
Yes, the Irish Residence Permit can be renewed at the end of its valid time period provided you still meet all eligibility requirements. In addition, after five years of legal residency in Ireland, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization. You will need to pay additional fees at the time of renewal.
