Ireland

Capital Dublin

Currency EUR

Languages Irish، English

Official fee 160 – 3,750 EUR

Ireland is an EU member state but is NOT part of the Schengen Area (it operates the Common Travel Area with the UK). Immigration is administered by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) within the Department of Justice, while employment permits are handled by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Common pathways include employment permits (Critical Skills and General), the post-study graduate stamp, family reunification, long-term residency, and naturalisation. The Immigrant Investor Programme (golden visa) closed to new applicants in February 2023. All fees are in EUR.

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Immigration Pathways

(7) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago

5 of 7 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 5 to permanent residence, 5 to citizenship.

7 of 7 pathways are backed by official government sources.

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Work / Employment High confidence

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

Permit for high-demand occupations (mostly ICT, engineering, healthcare). No Labour Market Needs Test required, and it offers a fast track to Stamp 4 after 2 years.

Processing time: Roughly 2-week queue (DETE was processing CSEP applications received 19 May 2026 as of early June 2026 - check live tracker)
Validity: Up to 24 months initially
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Apply for Stamp 4 after 2 years (no employer support letter required since 30 Nov 2023)
Citizenship: Yes · 5 years reckonable residence out of the last 9 (Stamp 1 and Stamp 4 count)

Requirements

Occupation must be on the Critical Skills Occupations List
Salary threshold approximately EUR 38,000+ where a relevant degree is held (restricted-occupation tiers reported higher; confirm current figure on DETE page)
Salary EUR 64,000+ for eligible occupations not on the list (any degree-level role not on the ineligible list)
Job offer for a minimum of 2 years
Employer registered with Revenue and trading in Ireland

Required Documents

Signed job offer / contract (minimum 2 years) required
Passport copy required
Evidence of qualifications / skills required
Employer registration details required
Remuneration details required

Official fees

Employment permit fee (up to 24 months) 1,000 EUR

Refund if application refused (90%) 900 EUR

Estimated total 1,900 EUR

Process Steps

1
Confirm eligibility

Confirm the occupation is on the Critical Skills Occupations List.
2
Apply via EPOS

Employer or employee submits the application via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at least 12 weeks before the intended start date.
3
Pay fee

Pay the EUR 1,000 permit fee.
4
Processing

Application is queued by employer type (Standard vs Trusted Partner) and processed in date order.
5
Respond to queries

Respond to any request for further information within 28 days.
6
Register IRP

On grant, enter Ireland and register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) on Stamp 1.
7
Transition to Stamp 4

After 2 years, apply to the Department of Justice for Stamp 4 (no employer support letter required). Family members can join immediately.

Official Sources

Work / Employment High confidence

General Employment Permit (GEP)

Permit for a broader range of occupations not on the ineligible list. A Labour Market Needs Test is usually required; leads to Long-Term Residency after 5 years.

Processing time: New (non-CSEP) applications being processed from 9 March 2026; renewals from 6 March 2026 (as of early June 2026 - check live tracker)
Validity: Up to 24 months initially; renewals up to 36 months
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Long-Term Residency after 5 years (60 months) on employment-permit-based stamps
Citizenship: Yes · 5 years reckonable residence out of the last 9 (Stamp 1 from a work permit counts)

Requirements

Occupation not on the ineligible list
Minimum salary approximately EUR 34,000 per year (DETE page returned EUR 36,605 for a 39-hour week; confirm current threshold)
Bona-fide registered employer
Labour Market Needs Test usually required (advertise the role) unless exempt
50% EEA workforce rule generally applies

Required Documents

Signed employment contract required
Passport copy required
Evidence of qualifications / experience required
Employer registration details required
Labour Market Needs Test evidence required

Official fees

Permit fee (6 months or less) 500 EUR

Permit fee (over 6 months up to 24 months) 1,000 EUR

Renewal (6 months or less) 750 EUR

Renewal (up to 36 months) 1,500 EUR

Estimated total 3,750 EUR

Process Steps

1
Labour Market Needs Test

Employer normally conducts a Labour Market Needs Test (advertise the role) unless exempt.
2
Apply via EPOS

Submit via the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) at least 12 weeks before the start date.
3
Pay fee

Pay the fee (EUR 500 or EUR 1,000 depending on duration).
4
Processing

Processed in date order by employer type; respond to information requests within 28 days.
5
Register IRP

On grant, register for the Irish Residence Permit (Stamp 1).
6
Long-Term Residency

After 5 years (60 months) on employment-permit-based stamps you may apply for Long-Term Residency.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)

Lets non-EEA graduates of Irish institutions stay to seek graduate-level employment and apply for an employment permit after completing their studies.

Processing time: Granted on registration
Validity: 12 months (Level 8) or up to 24 months (Level 9+); usable on a maximum of 2 separate occasions
Language requirement: None (study conducted in English)
Documents: 3 required

Requirements

Hold a Level 8 (NFQ) award (up to 12 months) or Level 9+ award (up to 24 months in two 12-month blocks)
Apply within 6 months of being notified in writing by the awarding body that the award was achieved
Hold a current Stamp 2 and valid IRP at the time of applying
Level 8 path capped so total student-path time (Stamp 2 + 1G) does not exceed 7 years; Level 9+ capped at 8 years
Level 9+ second 12-month block requires evidence of job-seeking effort

Required Documents

Written notification of award from the awarding body required
Current valid passport required
Current Stamp 2 and valid IRP required

Official fees

IRP / registration fee (commonly EUR 300; confirm at registration) 300 EUR

Process Steps

1
Receive award notification

Receive written notification of your award from the awarding body.
2
Apply within 6 months

Within 6 months, apply to register/renew on Stamp 1G. In Dublin/Kildare/Meath/Wicklow use the ISD online renewal system (inisonline.jahs.ie); outside those counties register via the Garda National Immigration Bureau (email gnib_dv@garda.ie for an appointment).
3
Receive Stamp 1G

Receive Stamp 1G and seek graduate employment.
4
Level 9 renewal

Level 9 holders show steps taken to find graduate-level work at the 12-month renewal.
5
Transition to permit

Transition to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit when employed.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa High confidence

Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) - CLOSED

The Immigrant Investor Programme (Ireland's golden visa) closed to new applications on 15 February 2023. No active general investor residency route exists; intending investors should consider the Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme or business permission routes instead.

Processing time: Not applicable - no new applications accepted (applications on hand at closure continue to be processed)
Validity: Not applicable - closed
Language requirement: None

Family Reunification High confidence

Join Family - Spouse / Civil Partner / De Facto Partner of an Irish National (Stamp 4)

Routes for the spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner of an Irish national to reside in Ireland on Stamp 4. The Irish sponsor must meet an income requirement of EUR 40,000 earned over the prior 3 years.

Processing time: ISD reports high volumes and delays; no specific timeframe published
Validity: Stamp 4 (de facto: initial 1 year, renewable)
Language requirement: None
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Stamp 4 (de facto initial 1 year, renewable; spouse route grants Stamp 4)
Citizenship: Yes · Spouse/civil partner of an Irish citizen: married/in civil partnership 3+ years plus 3 of last 5 years reckonable residence (including 12 continuous months before applying)

Requirements

Spouse/civil partner: relationship to an Irish national; sponsor earned EUR 40,000 over the last 3 years (over and above State benefits), rising for additional family members
De facto partner: at least 2 years' cohabitation in a genuine relationship before applying; sponsor earned gross EUR 40,000 over the prior 3 years
De facto sponsor must not have sponsored/been sponsored by anyone in the prior 7 years
Medical insurance (de facto: min EUR 25,000 accident / EUR 25,000 illness in year 1)
Police clearance (<6 months old) for every country lived in over the last 5 years (de facto route)

Required Documents

Original marriage / civil-partnership certificate (spouse route) required
Sponsor's original Irish passport required
Proof of joint address / cohabitation evidence required
Proof of financial means (sponsor's EUR 40,000 income) required
6 months' certified bank statements (de facto route) required
Medical insurance (de facto route) required
Police clearance for all countries lived in over last 5 years (de facto route) required
Relationship-history evidence (de facto route) required

Official fees

De facto preclearance/visa fee (single entry) 60 EUR

De facto preclearance/visa fee (multiple entry) 100 EUR

Estimated total 160 EUR

Process Steps

1
Determine visa requirement

Determine if you are visa-required via the ISD travel path.
2
Apply

Spouse with existing permission: book a registration appointment via the ISD Customer Service Portal. De facto: complete the online application (visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS), selecting Long Stay (D) and the relevant Join Family (De Facto Irish) reason.
3
Submit documents and fee

De facto: organise documents and pay the fee within 30 days of completing the online form. Submit passport and supporting documents to the designated office.
4
Apply from outside Ireland

De facto applicants apply from outside Ireland and remain outside until decided.
5
Travel and register

On approval, travel within 6 months (preclearance letter / D visa valid 6 months); register and receive Stamp 4. If refused while holding permission, request a review within 2 months.

Official Sources

Permanent Residence High confidence

Long-Term Residency (Stamp 4, 5-year)

For non-EEA nationals who have spent 60 months (5 years) legally resident on qualifying employment-permit-based stamps. Grants a 5-year Stamp 4 allowing work without a permit.

Processing time: ISD reports very high volumes and delays; no specific timeframe published
Validity: Stamp 4, 5 years
Language requirement: None
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · This is the long-term residency status itself (5-year Stamp 4)
Citizenship: Yes · Stamp 4 counts toward the 5-years-in-9 reckonable residence requirement for naturalisation

Requirements

60 months (5 years) legal residence on qualifying stamps (Stamp 1 from a work/critical-skills permit, or Stamp 4 from a green-card/critical-skills permit)
Residence counted by passport stamps / valid IRP cards (not permit dates)
Good character; not an undue burden on the State
Currently employed (not self-employed) at time of and during application
Many stamp types do NOT count (student Stamp 2/1G, spouse-of-Irish Stamp 4, IIP, de facto, etc.)

Required Documents

Completed Long-Term Residency application form required
Colour copies of past and current passports / IRP cards showing all stamps required
Current IRP / GNIB card required
Employment contract or employer letter required
Colour copies of all employment permits required
Continuous-residence evidence (tenancy agreements, bank statements, State documents) required

Official fees

Permission fee (payable within 28 days of approval letter, by EFT) 500 EUR

IRP registration fee (separate, in addition; commonly EUR 300) 300 EUR

Estimated total 800 EUR

Process Steps

1
Confirm 60 months

Confirm you have 60 months of qualifying stamps.
2
Complete form

Complete the Long-Term Residency application form (PDF).
3
Post application

Post the form and documents to: Long Term Residence Section, Unit C - Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, ISD, Department of Justice, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70.
4
Pay fee

On approval, pay EUR 500 within 28 days by EFT and provide proof (application closed if not paid in time).
5
Receive grant letter

Receive a grant letter for Stamp 4 (5 years).
6
Register permission

Register the permission via the ISD Online Registration Portal and pay the IRP fee; this lets you work without a permit.

Official Sources

Citizenship / Naturalization High confidence

Citizenship by Naturalisation

Naturalisation for non-EEA nationals after 5 years of reckonable residence (or 3 years for spouses/civil partners of Irish citizens). Processed via an online portal with a points-based scorecard.

Processing time: Most applications processed within 19 months
Validity: Permanent (citizenship)
Language requirement: None (no language test for Irish naturalisation)
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Citizens hold full residence rights
Citizenship: Yes · General adult: 5 years out of the last 9 (1 year continuous immediately before applying plus 4 years in the prior 8). Spouse of Irish citizen: 3 of last 5 years plus 3 years married. Refugees/stateless: 5 years (applications received before 8 December 2025 processed under the previous 3-year rule)

Requirements

General adult: 1 year continuous reckonable residence immediately before applying plus 4 years in the prior 8 (5 of last 9); up to 70 days' absence allowed in final year (plus up to 30 more for exceptional circumstances)
Spouse/civil partner of Irish citizen: married/in civil partnership 3+ years plus 3 of last 5 years reckonable residence on the island of Ireland (including 12 continuous months before applying)
Refugees/stateless: 5 years reckonable residence
Reckonable residence counts Stamp 1, Stamp 4, Stamp 3, Stamp 1G (in limited circumstances), and Stamp 5; does NOT count student Stamp 2/2A, undocumented time, or time as an international-protection applicant
Good character

Required Documents

Certified colour photocopy of biometric passport page (certified by solicitor/commissioner for oaths/peace commissioner/notary) required
Birth certificate required
Spouse's birth certificate and marriage certificate (if marriage-based) required
Documents meeting the scorecard: 150 points for identity AND 150 points for residency required

Official fees

Application fee (on the online portal) 175 EUR

Certification fee on approval (standard) 950 EUR

Certification fee (minor or widow(er)/surviving civil partner of Irish citizen) 200 EUR

Estimated total 1,325 EUR

Process Steps

1
Confirm eligibility

Use the online residency calculator to confirm eligibility.
2
Apply online

Apply online at inisonline.jahs.ie (paper form available on request for those who cannot apply online); pay the EUR 175 application fee.
3
Meet scorecard

Meet the scorecard: 150 points for identity AND 150 points for residency, using the document point values in the Citizenship Guidance Document (April 2024).
4
Submit documents

Submit a certified colour photocopy of the biometric passport page, birth certificate, and (if marriage-based) spouse's birth and marriage certificates.
5
E-vetting

Complete e-vetting (Garda National Vetting Bureau) when invited; a good-character check is run.
6
Approval and ceremony

On approval, pay the certification fee, surrender your IRP (non-EEA/UK/Swiss), attend a citizenship ceremony, and make the declaration of fidelity and loyalty.
7
Receive certificate

Receive your certificate of naturalisation, then apply for an Irish passport.