Country Update 2021: IRELAND

Contributed by: Hiro Ino (Hiro Ino & Co. Solicitors & Notary Public)

May 2021

1. Legislative Changes

None.

2. Business Immigration

Employment Permit Regulations 2017.

Immigrant Investor Programme – 1,166 approvals since 2012 (1,088 Chinese individuals)

Business Permission (€300k) still suspended.

3. Employment-based immigration (work and residence permits)

Spouse/Partner of Critical Skills Employment permit now obtains Stamp 1G (right work without any need for employment permit).

4. Family based immigration

Delays generally – civil servants working remotely

Domestic – Policy on non-EEA family reunification – updated December 2016.

5. Asylum

International Protection Act 2015 – Asylum/Subsidiary Protection/Leave to Remain application all in one.

6. Deportation

Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 – still stands.

7. Citizenship

Irish Nationality & Citizenship Act 1956 (As Amended).

Statutory Instrument introduced to facilitate granting of certificate of naturalisation by swearing of Affidavit – finished 31st of May 2021