Its culture, history, and modern cities have attracted more than 10 million tourists in the last decade. But still, some people find it difficult to get their visa approve thereby delaying their journey to Ireland.
In this guide, we will be telling you all you must know before you can successfully migrate to the country. If you read and understand this guide, you’ll have no trouble immigrating to Ireland for work, study, or vacation.
Country overview
Whether you have Irish relatives or you just want to visit the country, Ireland is a top-notch residency option for any foreigner hoping to attain the ultimate European experience.
The Irish Republic has been a member state of the European Union since 1973 and the Common Travel Area [Ireland is not a part of the Schengen area].
This country has been a top choice for most people seeking reliable employment, career advancement systems, quality education, and long-term immigration status.
The Irish economy is also very flexible and can easily adapt to any economic change without crashing the system. The government of the Irish Republic has provided a lot of jobs, employment opportunities, and favorable policies for immigrants coming to the country for business.
Between 2006 and 2008, Ireland hosted over 400 thousand immigrants. The country has become a highly popular destination due to its relatively strong economy, an immigration system that supports highly skilled immigrants, and an environment that fosters ease of business.
Lawful immigration to Ireland
The Irish Republic has a pretty developed immigration system. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service are responsible for immigration issues but do offer residence permits.
For you to lawfully immigrate to Ireland, you must follow all the procedures and requirements provided by the immigration body of the Republic of Ireland.
The main law that dictates immigration to Ireland is listed in the Immigration Act 2004 and the Aliens Act 1935. Some foreign nationals must have a travel visa, residence permit, or work permit before they can visit or reside in the country.
Immigration eligibilities
Since Ireland is an EU member-state, EU nationals do not need a travel visa to enter the country. Citizens from the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and a handful of third-world countries do not need a travel visa to relocate to Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland is not a member state of the Schengen area but citizens whose country are in the Schengen area receive lighter security checks than those from third countries
Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, must have a travel visa, residency permit, or work permit before they can be allowed to enter the country.
Types of visa
Since Non-EU citizens need visas to move to the country, the government of the Irish Republic has provided a lot of travel visas depending on your needs.
Depending on the reason for your visit, you must possess any one of the following Visas.
Short stay visas
It is exclusively for foreign nationals that want to come to the country for a temporary period without any intention of working. This visa type is for foreign nationals that plan on staying in the country for less than three months.
Student visas
These types of travel visa are exclusively for students from non- EEA countries that want to enroll in a program at a recognized school, college, or university in this EU country.
New policies were introduced in 2010 stating the requirement for accepting student visa applications. These programs are usually full-time enrolment for a bachelor’s degree or Doctorate.
Work Permits
There are various work permits available for foreign nationals moving to Ireland for work. There are currently 9 types of work permits in the country. The most popular types are critical Skills and general permits.
Ireland also offers two business immigration programs: the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) and the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). The former is an investor visa, while the latter is an entrepreneurial visa.
Both visa programs are exclusively open to citizens of non-EU countries since EU citizens can easily move to Ireland. Refugees can access also get assistance and advice from the Irish Refugee Council or the Refugee Legal Services through the Legal Aid Board.
Cost of Ireland visa
Before you can apply for an Irish visa, you must pay a non-refundable visa application processing fee of €60 for a single-journey, €100 for a multiple-journey, and €25 for transit.
Your payment cannot be refunded even if you withdraw your visa application or your application is declined.
Postal or courier charges may apply in some cases. You can also get more information on the fee in your local currency in any Irish Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Office near you.
However, some applicants are not required to pay any visa fees. This includes visa-required family members of Irish nationals and other EEA citizens.