Ireland Citizenships for Indians

Ireland citizenship for Indian nationals is an option for living in a country permanently and enjoying the numerous opportunities. Typically, when you acquire the citizenship of another country, you must relinquish the citizenship of your native country. However, Ireland allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship, which means they can also retain their native citizenship while being an Irish citizen.

As an Irish citizen, Indian nationals can live and work in the country without any restrictions. Additionally, you can travel freely across the 170 European countries without a visa. However, to acquire the Ireland citizenship for Indian students and other professionals, you need to fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Ireland has a set of rules for acquiring citizenship, categorised by different criteria. Fulfilling these requirements is crucial for a smooth citizenship process. If you fail to meet the eligibility requirements, then the authority can deny Ireland citizenship to you and your family member.

To acquire the citizenship of Ireland, individuals have several options, such as legally living in the country for 5 years, marrying an Irish citizen and more. However, for each category, there is an eligibility criterion that individuals need to fulfil.

Let us take a look at the Ireland citizenship requirements for Indian nationals.

Individual Living in Ireland for Over 5 Years

If you have been living in Ireland for 5 years, then you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation. Here are the criteria you need to meet such as:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicants must provide a valid official document to prove their identity.
• If you are applying for citizenship in Ireland, you must have lived in the country for at least one full year before submitting your application. However, you can be away for up to 70 days during the year and an additional 30 days in exceptional cases at the discretion of the Minister.
• Applicants who have lived in Ireland for 8 years must have a total residence in Ireland of at least 4 years.
• Applicants must provide proof of residency for each year at the time of applying for citizenship.
• Applicants intend to reside in the country after becoming citizens.
• Applicants must have a good character.
• Lastly, applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of loyalty.

Individual Married or in a Civil Partnership with an Irish Citizen

Individuals can also apply for Ireland citizenship based on marriage or civil partnership with an Irish person. Here are the eligibility criteria for the same.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• The applicant must provide proof of identity.
• Applicants must be married to, or in a civil partnership with, an Irish citizen for at least three years. The marriage or civil partnership must be genuine and lasting.
• They must be living with their spouse or civil partner on both the date of application and the date of citizenship grant.
• They must have legally resided on the island of Ireland for at least three of the previous five years, including one continuous year immediately preceding their application. Absences of up to 70 days during this period are allowed, with an additional 30 days permitted in exceptional cases at the Minister’s discretion.
• The applicant must provide proof of residence in Ireland for each year claimed.
• The applicant must intend to continue residing in Ireland after obtaining citizenship.
• The applicant must agree to attend a citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of fidelity.
• The applicant must be of good character.

Individuals Declared Refugee Under International Protection Act 2015

If you are part of the citizenship division team or a refugee, you must meet the following criteria.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicants must be declared a refugee by the Minister for Justice in Ireland.
• Applicants must provide their identity as outlined in the Citizenship Guidance Document.
• Applicants must also provide proof of residency for the past three years.

Individual Applying on Behalf of Minor

If the applicant is a minor and not married at the time of application, there are three options for applying on their behalf. Here is the list of requirements for each category.

Application by Naturalised Parent

• Minors need to be under 18 years of age.
• Minor needs to meet the relevant requirements for residence.
• Minor needs to have naturalised parents.

Application by Irish Associations and Descent

The Minister for Justice can grant citizenship to a child with Irish descent or a parent with Irish descent. This means the child is related by blood or adoption to an Irish citizen, or to someone entitled to Irish citizenship.

Under Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, the Minister may waive certain requirements; however, this does not guarantee citizenship. Each application is assessed individually based on the law in effect at the time.

Application for Minor Born After 1st January 2005

If your child was born on or after 1st January 2005, they are entitled to Irish citizenship at birth only if one parent, at that time:

• Was an Irish or UK citizen
• Had the right to live in Ireland or Northern Ireland without restriction, or
• Had legally lived on the island of Ireland for at least three of the four years before the child’s birth.

If your child was born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 and does not qualify for citizenship by birth, you can apply for naturalisation on their behalf. The child must have lived in Ireland continuously for at least one year before applying, and for a total of at least two years in the eight years preceding that.

Also Read: Ireland Visa Requirements for Indian

To get the citizenship of Ireland for an Indian national, applicants can apply either online or offline. Online applications can be submitted through the Ireland Department of Justice website.

Applicants who wish to apply offline must obtain Forms 8, 10, and 11, which are available on the customer service portal.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the citizenship process in Ireland for Indian nationals, available through both online and offline methods.

Process to Apply for Citizenship in Ireland for Indians Online

• Step 1: Visit the official Irish Immigration Service online page. If you already have credentials, log in to the account. If you don't have one, click on the 'Register here' option.
• Step 2: Fill out the citizenship application form. Ensure that the proof of identity and residency documents total 150 points.
• Step 3: Apply along with other documents. Ensure that all submitted documents are certified by the relevant authorities.
• Step 4: After completing the application, pay the specified fee through the portal.
• Step 5: The authorities will assess the application on various grounds and, based on this assessment, will accept or reject the application.

Process to Apply for Citizenship in Ireland for Indians Offline

• Step 1: To apply offline, download forms 8, 9, 10 and 11 from the customer service portal.
• Step 2: Complete the form accurately and submit the required documents to the relevant authorities.
• Step 3: Pay the citizenship fees in the form of a demand draft. The draft is payable to the Secretary General of the Department of Justice.
• Step 4: Upon successful submission, the authority will review the application and documents. Based on their assessment, they will accept or reject the application.

The documents that are needed to initiate the Ireland citizenship process are:

• Duly signed and dated the application form for citizenship
• Original birth certificate of the applicant.
• Proof of the applicant's identity, such as a passport.
• The original marriage certificate of the applicant if they are married.
• Original birth certificate of the spouse if married.
• Certificate of character or conduct of the applicant.
• Copy of the proof of residence in Ireland.
• Coloured passport-size photographs.
• Copy of income tax statement.
• Copy of the employment letter from the current organisation.

Note: Depending upon the citizenship application, the list of documents might vary. It is best to check the official website to get the proper documentation list for the citizenship process.

The processing time for citizenship in Ireland for Indian nationals is 12 months. The time may vary depending on the requirement and volume of applications. You can check the status of your application via application number or e-vetting link.

If your application is approved, you will get the approval message from the Immigration Service Delivery. After that, you will be invited to attend the citizenship ceremony and make a declaration of fidelity.

Also Read: Check Ireland Visa Status

Cost of Ireland Citizenship for Indians

To apply for citizenship, an Indian national must pay €175 to have the application processed. Once the application is approved, applicants must pay the certification fee to obtain their citizenship certificate. Here is the fee structure for the same.

Note: The fee for Ireland citizenship may vary. It is best to check the official website.

Ireland's citizenship applications are decided by the Minister for Justice. Applicants face various challenges when applying for Irish citizenship, which can lead to rejection. If the application is rejected, the applicant cannot appeal the decision; however, they may reapply at a later time. Below are some of the challenges faced by the applicants.

• One significant challenge is residency, which requires applicants to maintain residency for 5 years before they can apply for citizenship.
• Applicants must achieve a score of 150 points for residency and identity documents. If they cannot reach the score, they must submit an affidavit explaining the reason.
• Another challenge is with the submission of documentation. If the submitted documents are of poor quality, they may lead to rejection.

Some of the prominent benefits of getting citizenship in Ireland for Indians are listed below:

Free Education

The primary benefit of acquiring Ireland citizenship for Indian students or other nationals is access to free primary and secondary education for all its citizens. Not just these individuals who are immigrating to Ireland from other countries can also get this benefit. Higher education in the country is not free of charge.

Political Rights

Another benefit of getting Irish citizenship is the right to vote in Irish and European elections, which include general, local, and presidential elections. This will give individuals the right to exercise their democratic rights within the country.

Work and Live in EU

Ireland is a member of the European Union, which is why individuals who hold Irish citizenship will have the right to work and live in European Union member states without any visa requirement.

Multiple Citizenship

Another significant benefit of having Ireland citizenship is that applicants can have multiple citizenships. It means individuals who are Irish citizens are open to being citizens of any other country without giving up their Irish citizenship. However, it will only be valid in countries that support dual or multiple citizenship.

Diplomatic Support

Lastly, Irish citizens will have diplomatic support through the embassy or consulate while travelling outside the nation. The authorities can assist with their trip to foreign nations.

Foreign nationals of Indian origin who hold Irish citizenship are not eligible to renounce their Indian citizenship under Section 8(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955; therefore, there is no requirement to apply for the renunciation of citizenship.

Their Indian citizenship stands terminated under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, as they have acquired citizenship of another country. Therefore, foreign nationals of Indian origin who have voluntarily obtained citizenship of another country should only apply to surrender their Indian passport.

The process of obtaining Ireland citizenship for Indian nationals can be complex and daunting. Here are a few tips to streamline the Ireland citizenship journey.

• Before starting the citizenship application, determine which path you will be following, such as naturalisation or marriage.
• Gather all the required documents for the specified category.
• When filling out the application form, ensure all the information entered is correct.
• Submit the requested documents in the correct format.

Acquiring Ireland citizenship for Indian nationals opens doors to global opportunities, from seamless travel across the EU to world-class education, healthcare, and a high quality of life. The country’s stable economy and welcoming environment make it an ideal place to build a future.

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