Important Updates
Important Updates
September 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Agencies Say President Trump’s H-1B Ban Applies Only to Petitions Filed on or After September 21, 2025
September 22, 2025 | Japan, United States2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報
September 22, 2025 | PolandGazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę
September 22, 2025 | GermanyHuman Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft
September 22, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Work Permit Processing Delays due to System Outage
September 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Agencies Say President Trump’s H-1B Ban Applies Only to Petitions Filed on or After September 21, 2025
September 22, 2025 | Japan, United States2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報
September 22, 2025 | PolandGazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę
September 22, 2025 | GermanyHuman Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft
September 22, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Work Permit Processing Delays due to System Outage
September 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Agencies Say President Trump’s H-1B Ban Applies Only to Petitions Filed on or After September 21, 2025
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

System Improvements for Irish Naturalisation Applicants

September 28, 2023

Empty city street in Dublin Ireland

Country / Territory

  • IrelandIreland

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Stephen McCrea, Samantha Arnold, Rachael Bermingham

Recent amendments to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 have been roundly welcomed in the context of the naturalisation process in Ireland. These changes were introduced against the backdrop of 4,000 individuals being welcomed as Irish citizens and their contributions to Irish life celebrated across two ceremonies in Killarney earlier this year. These new citizens represent a small part of a growing number of persons interested in and eligible for Irish citizenship by naturalisation.

However, the process of becoming an Irish citizen is not always straightforward, seamless or quick. Following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants were sometimes waiting for decisions for up to one year and, in certain cases, even up to three years after applying. Guidance on required documentation was historically under-defined or unduly onerous. Further, some interested parties were unable to apply due to strict rules regarding time spent outside of Ireland.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants saw wait times increase significantly, and a large backlog of applications arose. With more than 30,000 applications currently under consideration, the Department of Justice has been working on ways to expedite and standardise the application process.

Introduction of e-vetting

It is a requirement for all applicants for naturalisation to prove that they are of good character. In satisfaction of this requirement, applicants must undergo a vetting process, i.e., the process through which all applicants must provide a full record of offences, regardless of how long ago or where offences occurred. This information is then verified by law enforcement agencies.

The changes have included the introduction of electronic vetting (e-vetting), which moves this process entirely online. By moving this portion of the application online and placing it at an earlier stage in the process, it has significantly shortened wait times, greatly improving the applicant experience.

Simplification of documentation requirements

The Department of Justice has also reduced the amount of documentation needed to prove residence in Ireland, and now only requires certified copies of certain documents, rather than originals.

For example, an original passport or birth certificate no longer needs to be submitted; instead, a certified copy of these documents is now accepted. This means that applicants no longer face an uncertain period without their original, important personal documents. 

Clarity and extension of time spent outside the State

A major problem facing naturalisation applicants has been the strict eligibility rules around time spent outside Ireland in the year immediately prior to applying and the need to travel for unavoidable work or family reasons.

Naturalisation requires ‘continuous’ residence in Ireland in the year prior to the application being made. Many applicants in this situation found themselves in breach of the former residence requirement, with the authorities finding any absence greater than six weeks in this period to break continuous residence.

Recent amendments to the Act mean that applicants can now be absent from Ireland for up to 70 days in the year prior to making an application while still being considered a continuous resident.

Crucially, there is also scope for an additional 30 days in the same year for exceptional circumstances, including family, health and work-related reasons. This will be of particular benefit to those who are required to travel frequently for work or who may be affected by unforeseen personal events.

Reduced residency requirement for some children born in Ireland

Since 2005, children born in Ireland are no longer automatically Irish citizens, unless they are born to an Irish parent or other foreign national, in some limited circumstances.  

Where not automatically eligible for citizenship, children could always apply for naturalisation, subject to meeting certain conditions. The Act has been amended to allow for more favourable conditions in the context of some child applicants born in Ireland who do not automatically qualify for Irish citizenship.

Such children may now apply for naturalisation where their parents can demonstrate three years of reckonable residence, thereby shortening the length of residency needed as compared to the previous provisions contained within the Act.  

Looking ahead

While the changes and improvements to the application process that have been implemented so far are welcome, areas requiring more guidance remain, some of which are outlined below.

Residence condition in the year preceding the final year before applying

Amendments related to the physical residence condition in the Act relate solely to the year before an application is made. No further guidance is available in relation to the other years upon which an applicant intends to rely for the purposes of satisfying this condition. The amount of time one can spend outside of Ireland in the years leading up to the final year therefore appears to remain somewhat discretionary.

While this adds a layer of complexity to all applications, it allows greater flexibility compared to the limits applied to the final year prior to application. Fragomen can assist in navigating this somewhat undefined aspect of the application.    

Young adult dependents

Clarity is also needed regarding young adult dependents, those aged 18-23, who are relying on their parents’ residence to qualify for naturalisation. As a residence permit is not yet required for those under 16 years of age, these young applicants can find themselves in difficulty when it comes to proving their five years’ physical residence in Ireland.

The recently issued guidance document provides greater clarity on the documents required for non-dependent adults, but it does not include a list of documentation accepted in the context of applications submitted by dependent 18-23-year-olds.

Some guesswork therefore still applies here. However, Fragomen practitioners have had substantial experience with such applications and can therefore guide applicants on essential documents for these dependents.

Benefits of Irish citizenship

As an Irish citizen, one will be fully entitled to hold an Irish passport and to live and work in Ireland. Being a citizen eliminates the need to continually renew an immigration status, giving individuals stability and comfort.

It makes travel to, from and within Ireland, the UK, the European Union and the wider European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland easier. It also gives workers the ability to move jobs with limited restrictions within these regions.  

Irish citizenship gives unique access to both the EEA and the UK – something that is open to no other nationality. Naturalised citizens may also pass their citizenship on to their children.

Need to know more?

For further information on citizenship by naturalisation requirements, please contact our Dublin Personal Immigration Services team at [email protected]. While lengthy and complex, the Irish citizenship by naturalisation process can be successfully navigated with the help of Fragomen’s experienced practitioners.

This blog was published on 28 September 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Country / Territory

  • IrelandIreland

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Stephen McCrea

Director

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4375

Samantha Arnold

Senior Manager

Dublin, Ireland

Email

[email protected]

T:+353 1 265 4370

Related offices

  • Dublin

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Learn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft

Partner Marius Tollenaere examines Germany’s immigration administration and strategies to support skilled labor.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of UK Residency and Citizenship: Longer Waits, Tougher Rules?

Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Featured in Financial Times Spotlight on 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal Services

Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.

Learn more

Video

Summer 2025 Highlights | #FragomenFC - Ep. 11

Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: US Visa Changes “Further Widening Global Equity Gap”

Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.

Learn more

Media mentions

Agência Eixos: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月22日 アメリカ移民法速報Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Nowe przepisy o zatrudnianiu cudzoziemców 2025. Spada liczba zezwoleń na pracę

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.

Learn more

Media mentions

Human Resources Manager: Flucht und Arbeitsmigration: (noch) ein Dickicht in der Behördenlandschaft

Partner Marius Tollenaere examines Germany’s immigration administration and strategies to support skilled labor.

Learn more

Blog post

The Future of UK Residency and Citizenship: Longer Waits, Tougher Rules?

Partner Natasha Catterson discusses how proposed changes to UK residency and citizenship rules could affect immigration planning and applicant eligibility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Featured in Financial Times Spotlight on 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised for her work shaping global immigration and workforce mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal Services

Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.

Learn more

Video

Summer 2025 Highlights | #FragomenFC - Ep. 11

Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: US Visa Changes “Further Widening Global Equity Gap”

Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.

Learn more

Media mentions

Agência Eixos: Inovação e contratação de talentos estrangeiros: o desafio do compliance em novos cenários

Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Impact on UK Aviation Roles

Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Crackdown on Illegal Working in Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore highlights the need for UK construction employers to maintain compliance and manage risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newsweek: Green Card Update: Applicants Receive Major Boost

Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.