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Ireland Immigration
Irish immigration law has adapted in recent times to take advantage
of the burgeoning Irish economy. As more and more people look to
Ireland as a destination, both to visit and to live, the needs of
the Irish work force have changed considerably over the last decade
or so. While Irish immigration law is more or less in line with
most other European countries the Irish government has attempted
to address occupational shortages with immigration incentives to
attract skilled, experienced workers to Ireland. |
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This guide to Ireland and its immigration laws therefore should
be taken as a guide only as immigration laws are constantly changing.
The scope of this article is to outline the various categories,
visas and other criteria that allow people to enter Ireland for
a vacation, a working holiday, or to immigrate to Ireland permanently.
For non-E.E.A. citizens, there are many available categories to
enter Ireland under different permits or visas so in every case
you should consult your local Irish Embassy or Consul for the latest
information. Additionally there are numerous agencies that offer
advice and assistance on Irish migration issues for a fee. Be wary
about paying for these kinds of services – professional advice
is certainly needed but the quality of that advice can vary greatly.
If you enter into an agreement with an immigration agency to enter
Ireland be certain about what you will get for your money and, where
possible, try to get independent references for the agency concerned.
Irish Immigration for E.U./E.E.A. citizens
Citizens of the member countries of the E.U (Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and the E.E.A.
(the E.U. plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are permitted
to move freely between member states, and the legal right to seek
and take employment (with some exceptions). Citizens from within
the E.E.A. borders are entitled to enter Ireland without a permit
and seek employment.
When entering Ireland at a major port or airport, E.E.A. citizens
may be required to provide a passport or identification card to
the Irish immigration officials, and they also have to register
at the local police (Garda) station. They may stay in Ireland as
long as they wish but, while there is also no requirement to demonstrate
to immigration officials that the applicant has sufficient financial
resources to support their stay in Ireland, automatic rights to
public financial assistance may be limited in some cases.
In May 2004 there are a number of nations that will join the E.U.
Citizens from these Accession states (Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and
Slovenia) can be denied full working rights by the E.U. member stats
for a transitional period of up to 7 years however a number of countries,
including Ireland, will allow citizens from these countries immediate
right to employment once the countries are officially part of the
E.U. |
Ireland Holiday Visa
Most people visiting Ireland are required by
the immigration service to have a visitor’s visa or permit
before arriving in Ireland. In it’s simplest form the visa
is granted to allow a person to travel to Ireland and apply for
a visitor’s permit on arrival. The permit then allows a
visitor to stay in Ireland for a duration of up to three months
and to engage in certain activities freely. Citizens of E.E.A.
countries are permitted to enter Ireland freely for as long as
they wish. There are however a number of countries whose citizens
do not need to apply for a tourist visa – they are permitted
to travel to Ireland and stay for a period of up to 3 months.
As this list is constantly changing, it is worthwhile checking
with your local Irish Embassy or Consul to determine if a Tourist
Visa is required. In all cases however a person entering Ireland
will have to satisfy an immigration official, if challenged, that
they do not intend to overstay in Ireland and that they have sufficient
funds to support themselves. Tourists to Ireland do not have the
right to work, study, or accept social welfare or free medical
care.
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