These days the idea of dual citizenship is becoming highly relevant and If you are a foreign citizen with ties to Ireland, you may be wondering about how it is possible to get dual citizenship in the country so in this paper we will look at its intricacies and explore what it means, who is eligible, the application process, advantages, and how expert guidance can make it easy.
What is Dual Citizenship?
It refers to the status of an individual who is a citizen of two countries simultaneously and the unique status has several benefits like the possession of two passports and access to privileges in both nations but it also comes with the responsibility of obeying the laws and obligations of both countries.
Ireland, in its progressive approach, allows dual citizenship but it’s important to know that not all countries share this stance because the laws and application processes for dual citizenship can be complex and are different from country to country, it’s ask for guidance from an immigration lawyer before starting your application.
Irish Citizenship Through Descent
If one of your parents was born in Ireland, you automatically qualify for Irish citizenship by descent, regardless of your birthplace or whether your parents were married when you were born. Most importantly, you do not need to undergo a formal application process to obtain dual citizenship in Ireland. However, if neither of your parents was born in Ireland, you can still claim dual citizenship through descent if one of your grandparents was born there. In this case, it’s important to confirm that your Irish parent or grandparent had Irish citizenship at the time of your birth.
It’s also essential that you note that the eligibility for dual citizenship in Ireland through descent is limited to Irish parents or grandparents. Other family ties, such as great-grandparents, do not grant eligibility.
Irish Citizenship Through Naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which foreign nationals can become Irish citizens after living in Ireland for a specified period and to be eligible for Irish dual citizenship through naturalization, you must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: You must have lived in Ireland for at least five years of recognizable residence before you can apply.
- Time Frame: These five years of residence must occur within the nine years immediately after your application.
- Continuous Residence: Just before your application, you must have lived in Ireland continuously for one year, and during this period, you cannot spend more than six weeks outside of Ireland.
- Age: You must be 18 years old or older.
- Good Character: To qualify, you should have a clean criminal record, with no serious convictions and you should not have violated the conditions of your immigration permission in Ireland.
- Permanent Intent: You must demonstrate your intention to live in Ireland permanently.
- Declaration of Loyalty: During your citizenship ceremony, you will be required to make a formal declaration of loyalty to Ireland.
Irish Citizenship Through Marriage
Marriage to an Irish citizen opens another way to get Irish dual citizenship. To be eligible for this route, you must meet the following criteria:
- Duration of Marriage: You must have been married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen for at least three years.
- Ongoing Marriage: You and your Irish spouse must be living together in a valid marriage or civil partnership.
- Age: You should be at least 18 years old at the time of your dual citizenship application.
- During the application process, you will need to provide evidence of your ongoing relationship, like shared rental agreements or joint bank accounts.
What is the Application Process for Irish Dual Citizenship?
The application process for Irish dual citizenship depends on the route you are taking:
Naturalization
If you are applying for Irish citizenship through naturalization, including the marriage route, you must complete and submit the application form online and you will need to gather and submit documents that prove your eligibility for Irish citizenship. Finally, you need to pay an application fee of €175.
Descent
If you are an Irish dual citizenship through descent, you do not need to undergo the application process. Instead, you will need to register your birth in the Foreign Births Register and this process requires you to provide your Irish parent or grandparents birth certificate as evidence of their Irish citizenship at the time of your birth.
The application process for dual citizenship in Ireland can be a lot due to the submission of various documents to prove your eligibility and in order to make your application easy and error-free consider seeking the assistance of immigration experts.
What Are the Advantages of Dual Citizenship in Ireland?
- Residency and Work: You can live and work in Ireland without the need for an employment permit.
- Voting Rights: As a dual citizen, you have the right to vote in Irish elections, ensuring you can actively participate in the country’s democratic process.
- Jury Service: You can serve on a jury in Ireland, contributing to the legal system.
- Irish Passport: Once you acquire Irish dual citizenship, you can apply for an Irish passport, granting you unrestricted travel within the European Union.
- EU Membership: Ireland’s membership in the EU extends these privileges to you, including visa-free travel to other EU member states and the freedom to live and work across the EU without additional permits.