Moving to Ireland

Lolzaaaa2908

I was wondering if anyone could help me.

So, my fiancee and I both live in Korea. I am Irish and he is a US citizen. We are getting married here, in Korea, next month and then traveling for a bit, followed but moving to the Middle East (hopefully) to save money.

However, the main objective for saving money is to move back to Ireland and start our family there. I really want to raise my children in the environment I grew up in and to have them around their grandparent.

I have been researching a bit and have noticed that it is pretty difficult for non-nationals to move to Ireland. This came as a shock to me because as far as I knew there were plenty of non-nationals there as I was leaving a few years ago. Now I obviously don't mean that in an offensive way.

So, it looks like it could take a long time for my husband(to-be) to actually legally live and work in Ireland, or to possibly gain Irish citizenship. I have read some things about him getting a 3 months holiday visa that needs to be renewed in the local Garda station every 3 months. Can someone confirm this for me?

At this point, I guess, I just want to know whatever information anyone can give me. I have a million questions but I just can't even think right now as the whole process seems to be excruciating!!! :(

ABajaninCork

If you're already married, then I think a spousal visa might be required.

Have you been in touch with the Irish Embassy in Korea or the Department of Foreign Affairs?

tatli_lokma

Your husband can't stay in Ireland indefinitely on a tourist visa (3 month visa). As ABajanincork says a spousal visa is what you need. They can take a number of months to be processed and during this time your husband can't work or access social welfare. The spousal visa application can take 3 to 12 months depending on your circumstances.

If granted it will permit him to stay in Ireland initially for 1 year, then you renew the visa each year for three years or five years depending on the decision of the immigration officer. Usually after 2 or 3 yearly renewals they will give either a 3 or a 5 year permit. Generally as a rule of thumb, as long as you continue to be married, living together, hubby has not come to the attention of the police and you can both support yourselves the renewal is almost certain.

There is no automatic right to a stamp 4 work permit exemption with a spousal visa, but generally a stamp 4 is granted. Once the stamp 4 is granted your husband can work without any restrictions for the length of time on the visa.

After 3 years residence in Ireland and provided you intend on having Ireland as your main place of residence your husband can apply for citizenship. It costs €175 to apply and takes 6 months to 2 years for a decision depending on the complexity of the application. If citizenship is granted, it costs almost €1000 to get the citizenship certificate. Once that is sorted you are officially an Irish citizen and never more will you have to deal with immigration! Hooray!

Lolzaaaa2908

Guys, thanks so much for the help. The research I have done so far has mainly been through the Internet. But after reading your posts, I'm going to contact the Ministey of Foreign affairs.

It still looks like a good deal of hassle. Saying that, it looks a lot less excruciating that I originally thought.

Thank you both for putting my mind and worries at ease.