Immigration Rights
Visas, work permits, asylum and international protection, family reunification, citizenship, residency rights, and EU/EEA free movement under Irish law.
Covered in this guide:
If you're not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you need a visa and permission to land under the Immigration Act 2004, plus an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) after 90 days — your stamp number sets what you can do. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals enter and work freely under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. Asylum runs through the International Protection Act 2015 as a single procedure, with appeals to IPAT. Naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956-2004 requires 5 years of reckonable residence and remains at the Minister's discretion.
Key Laws
Immigration Act 2004
No. 1 of 2004
Entry, removal, registration of non-nationals
International Protection Act 2015
No. 66 of 2015
Single procedure for asylum and subsidiary protection
Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956-2004
No. 26 of 1956
Citizenship by birth, descent, naturalisation
European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015
SI 548/2015
EU/EEA free movement rights
Visa Requirements and Entry
Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your nationality:EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: No visa required — you have the right to enter, live, and work in Ireland under EU free movement law.Non...
Immigration Registration (IRP Card)
All non-EEA nationals over 16 who stay in Ireland for more than 90 days must register with immigration and receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card (formerly called a GNIB card).In Dublin, registr...
Employment Permits (Work Permits)
Non-EEA nationals generally need an employment permit to work in Ireland. The main types are:Critical Skills Employment Permit: For highly skilled occupations on the Critical Skills Occupations List (...
International Protection (Asylum)
If you are fleeing persecution or serious harm, you can apply for international protection in Ireland. This covers:Refugee status: If you have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religio...
Family Reunification
If you have legal status in Ireland, you may be able to bring family members to join you. The rules depend on your immigration status:Refugees: Have a statutory right to family reunification for spous...
Irish Citizenship (Naturalisation)
You can become an Irish citizen through naturalisation if you meet the requirements:Residency: You must have lived in Ireland for 5 years out of the previous 9 years, with 1 continuous year of residen...
EU/EEA Free Movement Rights
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you have the right to:Enter Ireland with a valid passport or national identity card.Live in Ireland for up to 3 months without conditions.Stay beyond 3 months if...
Rights of Undocumented Migrants
Even if you are living in Ireland without immigration permission, you still have fundamental rights:Emergency medical care: You can access emergency hospital treatment.Education for children: All chil...