26/01/2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Citizenship by Naturalization in Ireland
Here’s a detailed guide for Filipino workers pursuing Irish citizenship by naturalization, starting from the first day of acquiring either a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Work Permit.
Eligibility for Naturalization in Ireland
To apply for Irish citizenship through naturalization, you must:
1. Be 18 years or older.
2. Have lived legally in Ireland for at least 5 years out of the last 9 years, including 1 year of continuous residence immediately before the application.
Steps to Citizenship: Critical Skills Employment Permit
Day 1: Arrival in Ireland with a Critical Skills Employment Permit
• Step 1: Register with Immigration
• Within 90 days of arriving in Ireland, register at your local immigration office and obtain a Stamp 1 residence permit.
• Fee: €300.
• Step 2: Start Working
• Begin employment as per the terms of your Critical Skills Employment Permit.
After 2 Years: Apply for Stamp 4
• Step 3: Apply for Stamp 4 Permission
• After 2 years of holding a Critical Skills Employment Permit, apply for Stamp 4, which allows you to work without needing an employment permit.
After 5 Years of Legal Residence: Apply for Citizenship
• Step 4: Ensure Residency Requirements
• Have 5 years of legal residency, including 1 year of continuous residence immediately before applying.
• Residency is calculated using reckonable residence.
• Step 5: Prepare Documents for Citizenship Application
• Application form (Form 😎.
• Passport, residence permits, and proofs of employment.
• Step 6: Submit Application
• Submit to the Department of Justice.
• Fee: €175 (application) + €950 (certificate fee upon approval).
After Submission: Wait for Approval
• Citizenship applications typically take 12–24 months to process.
Steps to Citizenship: General Employment Permit
Day 1: Arrival in Ireland with a General Employment Permit
• Step 1: Register with Immigration
• Register at your local immigration office and obtain a Stamp 1 residence permit.
• Fee: €300.
• Step 2: Start Working
• Begin employment under the terms of your General Employment Permit.
After 5 Years: Apply for Stamp 4
• Step 3: Apply for Stamp 4 Permission
• After 5 years of holding a General Employment Permit, apply for Stamp 4 to work without needing a permit.
After 5 Years of Legal Residence: Apply for Citizenship
• Steps 4–6: Follow the same process as Critical Skills Permit holders.
Key Considerations
1. Residency Calculation:
• Only reckonable residence counts towards citizenship. Time spent on visitor or student stamps does not qualify.
2. Family Members:
• Immediate family members can apply for reunification under Critical Skills Employment Permit. For General Permit holders, family reunification is subject to income thresholds and case review.
3. English/Irish Language:
• No formal test is required, but basic communication skills in English or Irish are essential.
References
• Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (2025) Citizenship by Naturalisation Overview. Available at: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/naturalisation/
• Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (2025) Employment Permits Overview. Available at: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/
• Citizens Information (2025) Becoming an Irish Citizen. Available at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/irish-citizenship/
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