Having Irish citizenship is necessary for a number of reasons. This is essential if you plan on officially getting the benefits of an Irish citizen. More importantly, you can’t undergo passport application Ireland without this.
However, you have to know that the Irish Citizenship Application is a long and needy process. Apart from money, you also have to invest a lot of time and effort into it. Only then can you successfully be one of the state’s official residents.
To somehow make the process easier and more convenient, we prepared some of the best tips that you can do below:
#1: Choose the right citizenship application method.
The first tip on our list is to choose the most appropriate citizenship application method. Generally, you have two options. These are through naturalization or descent.
You should undergo the Naturalisation Process if you don’t have any familial relationships with any Irish citizen, but you have stayed in Ireland for a sufficient period.
On the flip side, you can directly apply for citizenship through descent if you were born in Ireland before January 2005. If not, then you should at least have parents who are either Irish or British citizens.
Note that it’s important that you take your time in choosing where you fit the criteria. This is because the overall process and requirements that you’ll need will vary depending on which is right. You will also be able to avoid wasting time and money by doing so.
#2: Make sure that you’re eligible for the application.
Aside from the citizenship method that you’ll be following, you should also ensure that you’re eligible to apply for one. Similar to the previous tip, this will also help you finish the task more efficiently.
For reference, here is a criterion that you should cross-check:
- You are above 18 years old
- You plan on living in Ireland even after the success in citizenship application
- Before application, your total staying period in Ireland matches the requirement for reckonable residence
- You’re married to an Irish Citizen for a minimum of 3 years
The main playing factor in the standard, apart from the age, lies in how long you have stayed in Ireland. Make sure that you have been in the country for at least 1 year before your submission.
#3: Prepare the complete requirements.
Some applicants tend to go through the citizenship application without complete documents and requirements. To compensate, they usually offer follow-ups as long as they keep the process going.
This technique may seem convenient. You will, however, find yourself spending more time in going back and forth to the submission center in the long run. Not to mention, you will also need to spend more money on transportation costs because of this. Hence, you’re not really making the most out of your time.
So, instead, keep the application short and simple. In one visit, bring all the requirements and process everything necessary. These may include a proof of residence, proof of identity, accomplished application form, and likes. You can always find it better to finish everything in one go. By the end of the process, you can simply wait for approval from the Irish Government afterward.
#4: Collect valid reckonable residence.
Reckonable residence refers to how long you stayed in Ireland before the day you submitted your citizenship application. This is a crucial factor that the embassy will consider before approving your submission.
For reference, your application should state that you have been in the country for 5 years or 1,825 days. This is based on the span of the last 9 years. Moreover, you need to have lived in Ireland for a continuous 1-year period before your application.
If you don’t think you fit in these requirements yet, then we suggest collecting enough reckonable residence first.
#5: Consider an online application.
For our last tip, we recommend going through an online application if you have the means. This will save a lot of time and money on transportation compared to initially going to the office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services or INIS.
Another benefit of online applications is the ease of downloading and filling out forms. You won’t also have to fall in long lines for a few copies of papers.
Conclusion
Do the tips mentioned in the previous sections and you will surely lessen the stress throughout the process of applying to be an Irish citizen. And, if you get the steps right, you might even increase your chances of success in the application at one try.
