Beginning in the early 19th century, millions of Irish people migrated to the USA in search of a life in the new world. Now, many Americans are keen to return to their ancestral homeland.
As an American citizen, you will usually need to arrange a visa to legally move across the Atlantic. It is common to get help from Ireland immigration lawyers who can help you understand which visas you might be eligible for and can guide you through the application process. This article will give you all the essential information you need before you start planning your move.
Types Of Irish Visa
There are two main types of Irish visas. Type C visas are for short, temporary stays, such as for taking part in training, receiving medical treatment, taking an exam, or visiting Ireland for tourism. If you are moving to Ireland, you will usually need a Type D visa, intended for those who want to stay in Ireland for an extended period. Common Type D visas include the following:
- Employment visa (standard, Van der Elst, or researcher).
- Study visa.
- Minister of Religion visa.
- Family visa.
- Volunteer visa.
Requirements For An Irish Visa
To successfully apply for an Irish visa, you need to fit the requirements. Each visa will have certain specific requirements, but there are also general requirements that you will almost always need to match. General requirements include the following:
- A valid passport or travel ID document.
- Proof that your previous stays in Ireland have been legal and without criminal convictions.
- A clean criminal record from your home country.
- A recent biometric photograph, similar to a passport photo.
- Proof of residence in your current country.
- Financial evidence that you can support yourself once in Ireland. This will usually require the last three months of bank statements.
- You have paid any application and biometrics fees.
- You have attended any required appointments at an Irish consulate, embassy, or visa application centre.
Make sure to research the visa you intend on applying for, or ask your immigration lawyer to learn about the specific requirements you need to fit for your visa.
Employment Permit In Ireland
To work in Ireland, you will normally need an employment permit. You can apply for this once you have received a job offer or signed an employment contract by filling in an online form and providing the following documentation:
- Passport-style photographs.
- A copy of your passport.
- Copies of relevant qualifications.
- Proof of address, usually utility bills.
Please note that an employment permit will normally not be needed if you are coming to Ireland as the spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner of an Irish citizen or will be completing scientific research.
Furthermore, if you enter Ireland on the basis of employment, your passport will receive an immigration ‘Stamp 1’ when you cross the Irish border.
Cost Of Living In Ireland
Although there is variation depending on where you choose to live, the cost of living is generally higher in the USA than in Ireland. It is estimated to be 9% higher, not including rent to live in the USA, and 7.7% higher, including rent. However, Ireland is generally one of the more expensive countries in Europe to live in, with the second highest consumer prices in the European Union. Making sure you have enough money to sustain your desired lifestyle in Ireland should certainly be a consideration before you move there.
The most expensive cost of living is in the Irish capital, Dublin. Renting a studio apartment will cost around 1400 euros per month, while an apartment with two bedrooms may be 2,200 euros. Further afield, you can expect a small apartment to be significantly lower at 800-900 euros per month. Meanwhile, the cost of renting a studio in a typical city such as Cork will be around 1,000 euros per month.
Getting Irish Long-Term Residence And Citizenship
While a visa is needed for your initial move to Ireland, you should consider pathways to long-term residency and, eventually, citizenship to make your move permanent.
Long-term residency allows you to remain and work in Ireland for five years without requiring a work permit or specific visa. You must fulfill the following requirements to get it:
- You have 60 months (5 years) or longer of legal residence in Ireland.
- While in Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has issued you valid employment permits.
- While in Ireland, you have obeyed the law and immigration rules and have not been an undue burden on the state.
- You are a legal resident of Ireland when you make your application.
Citizenship by naturalisation is an even more permanent step than long-term residency, usually requiring you to drop your US citizenship. This route is also possible after living in Ireland continuously for five years. Further steps to get citizenship include attending a citizenship ceremony and making an oath of declaration to the state.
As an Irish citizen, you may access the full rights of an Irish person. You may vote, access welfare, and enter and leave the country without needing permission from the state.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
Moving abroad is always a challenge, and moving to Ireland as a US citizen is no different. It will require you to apply for the correct visa and prove that you fit stringent rules and requirements.
The Irish immigration lawyers at Immigration Advice Service have years of experience. We can guide you through deciding which visa you should get before helping you to gather your documents and make your application. We then use our connections in Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery to keep you updated on your application’s process and let you know if any further documents or evidence are needed. Finally, should your application be rejected, we can advise you on the next steps, be it to apply for a different visa or begin the appeals process.
