Citizenship Prospects Of Recently Separated Immigrant?

Merry Prankster

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. I have a North African friend who has recently separated from his Irish wife (as in, moved out of the house). Although amicable, it appears that their separation will remain permanent.

Having lived here since May 2008 (they married in 2007), he had planned to submit an application for citizenship in May of this year, when the requisite five-year period of residency will have elapsed. Will this now be an impossibility?

Also, his Stamp 4 immigration permission doesn't expire until 2017. If Irish citizenship is no longer achievable, is he allowed to remain until the 2017 expiration date? He has a full-time job which he has had for a few years if that is of any relevance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ResearchWill

Merry Prankster wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. I have a North African friend who has recently separated from his Irish wife (as in, moved out of the house). Although amicable, it appears that their separation will remain permanent.

Having lived here since May 2008 (they married in 2007), he had planned to submit an application for citizenship in May of this year, when the requisite five-year period of residency will have elapsed. Will this now be an impossibility?

Also, his Stamp 4 immigration permission doesn't expire until 2017. If Irish citizenship is no longer achievable, is he allowed to remain until the 2017 expiration date? He has a full-time job which he has had for a few years if that is of any relevance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Your friend cannot get advice here, but as an aside he could have applied for naturalisation after 3 years.

The relevant law is here http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/consolidationINCA.pdf/Files/consolidationINCA.pdf

I would strongly advise contacting FLAC, or a good immigration solicitor. There are certain obligations on all non EU nationals residing legally to inform immigration of any changes to their status, it would be best to do so AFTER getting legal advice.

Merry Prankster

Cheers for the reply Will.

That's great news that it's only three years, although it'll be a bitter pill if he is refused now, knowing that he could have obtained citizenship had he applied earlier. I'll make an appointment with my local FLAC office.