A lot of people want to become Irish citizens for so many reasons. Some want to live in Ireland as immigrants, while some want to work in the country. Others also want to study in Irish schools and universities, among many others. Whatever their reasons are, holding an Irish Passport is a fantastic thing that will open many opportunities for them, not only as immigrants but also as citizens.
For one, once you are a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, you can be allowed to travel around the Schengen area without needing a separate visa to do so. As a member of the European Union, it is one of their many privileges as Irish citizens. With Brexit, Ireland became more critical than ever. It is one of the few states where English is spoken as an official language.
The only tip on becoming an Irish citizen is through naturalization. Another one would be through birth or descent, which is more accessible to those who have Irish blood on their veins. If you are a totally non-Irish person, being a citizen of Ireland requires you to undergo the naturalization process.
However, even though the process is smooth sailing, many people stumble upon small roadblocks that delay their citizenship process. Hence, here are some tips that you can follow to have a smooth and more streamlined journey towards your much-coveted Irish citizenship.
Tips on Becoming an Irish Citizen
#1: Check if you have any Irish blood.
One of the easy ways to become an Irish citizen is to check if you are qualified for citizenship by birth or descent. That means if you are born in Ireland to Irish parents or any of your parents are Irish, you can quickly get your Irish citizenship without submitting a lot of documents in the process.
However, remember that your Irish ancestry or associations should be strong enough to let you become an official Irish citizen since distant relatives don’t usually count.
#2: Complete all the required documents for naturalization.
The entire naturalization process for those who want to become Irish passport holders may be simple. Yet, it has a lot of requirements for the procedure. One tip that the authorities usually tell the applicants is that they should complete all the required documents before proceeding with the application. The more complete your records are, the faster the process will be for you.
#3: Prepare for citizenship fees.
Becoming an Irish citizen is not necessarily complicated, but you must be prepared financially in the process. You will be asked to pay €175 for the processing fee. If you finally qualify for Irish citizenship, you will be asked to pay an additional fee for your certificate from the Citizenship Ceremony, which can cost up to €950 for regular applications. Thus, be financially prepared by saving enough money for your processing fees since it is not easy to earn hundreds of euros for fees.
#4: Fill out the proper forms.
The Irish naturalization process requires you to fill out an application form to process your application. Many forms cater to other categories, such as minors, widowers, refugees, and regular applications. Always check your application forms before submitting them in the INIS to avoid any hassle that you might encounter if you fill out the wrong forms.
You can download the forms online through their website and accomplish them carefully. Then, sign them in front of a witness, such as a Notary Public or a Peace Commissioner before you can take them to INIS with you to process the application.
#5: Keep your old passports and other documents with you.
One of the requirements for Irish naturalization is the original copy of your current passport and the other passports you used while you were living in the country. You need this proof that you are a legal citizen with the proper documentation to live in Ireland peacefully as an immigrant. This will make the entire process much easier for you since you have supporting proof that you have lived a peaceful life in the country before your citizenship application.
Conclusion
Applying for Irish citizenship is a long process. But, if you comply with the authorities with the proper documents, your application process will be much smoother. Then, soon after, you can enjoy your Irish citizenship and your brand-new Irish passport with no worries and hassles on your end. Keep these tips in mind so that your process will be faster. You will be qualified to attend the Citizenship Ceremony soon after.