Country Update 2023: IRELAND

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

June 2022 to April 2023

1. Legislative Changes

-       None, however:

-       Changes in Policies - in particular, introduction of application forms.

2. Business Immigration

-       Employment Permit Regulations 2017 (list of eligible occupation updated)

-       Closure of Immigrant Investor Programme on 15.02.2023       

-       Business Permission Scheme (€300k) currently suspended.

-       Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver.

3. Family based immigration

-       Application process for family members of British nationals – Policy Documentation of 23-12-2020.

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

4. Asylum

-       International Protection Act 2015 – Asylum/Subsidiary Protection/Leave to Remain application is now combined.

5. Deportation

-       Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 – still stands.

6. Citizenship

-       Irish Nationality & Citizenship Act 1956 (As Amended).

-       New application forms continued to be introduced – Scorecard system for proof of residence and proof of identity and guidance published on relaxed residence requirements and on what constitutes exceptional circumstances for absences in final year of residence before application.