The Irish government has opened applications for Long-Term Residency, popularly known as Permanent Residency (PR), with a surprisingly accessible application fee of approximately €500 (around ₹52,000). It offers non-EU/EEA citizens, including Indians, the right to live, work and study in Ireland indefinitely, marking a significant step towards potential Irish citizenship.
Achieving PR status in Ireland is a structured process built on a foundation of five years of legal residence. The journey typically begins with a employment permit. A popular route involves securing a Critical Skills Employment Permit. This permit allows an individual to work and live in Ireland for an initial two years. After this period, the individual can then apply for a Stamp 4 permission, which grants further stay for another three years without the need for an employment permit. Upon completing a total of 60 months (5 years) of legal residence, one becomes eligible to apply for Long-Term Residency.
Who is Eligible for Irish PR?
To qualify for Long-Term Residency in Ireland, applicants must meet several key criteria:
Legal Residence: Have completed a minimum of 60 months (5 years) of legal residence in Ireland.
Valid Employment Permits: Have held valid employment permits, such as a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit, for the majority of the stay.
Current Employment: Be legally employed in Ireland at the time of the application (self-employment is not accepted).
Good Character: Must not have a criminal record and must be of good character.
Financial Stability: Should not have been an undue burden on the state and must have sufficient financial funds.
Compliance: Must have complied with all conditions of previous immigration permissions.
It is important to note that any significant periods of absence from Ireland during the five-year qualifying period will not be counted towards the residency requirement.
Ireland PR Application Process
The application process for Irish Permanent Residency is clear and methodical:
- A valid passport and copies of all previous passport endorsements.
- A copy of your current Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
- Copies of all employment permits held during your stay.
- Your Certificate of Registration.
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