Moving to another country is a brave undertaking, to say the least. After all, you will be uprooting your entire life, which isn’t exactly a simple task. If you want to do it right, that is. While you probably are excited about the idea of moving to Ireland from the US, know that there is an array of tasks and paperwork you need to attend to beforehand. Informing yourself about the laws and regulations of the Emerald Isle is imperative to ensure a smooth transition without too many headaches along the way. Not so excited anymore? Although the most tedious parts of the process are ahead of you, there is no reason to fret. This article is here to help you plan and execute this life-transforming event.
Are you moving temporarily or permanently?
The approach you will take will mainly depend on your answer to this question. Ireland isn’t the most forgiving country when it comes to immigration, and you surely don’t want to make a mistake that could prevent you from fulfilling your dreams. With that in mind, before you begin acquiring any documents or planning the relocation, make sure you are confident about your decision.
Learn about the visa requirements
American citizens planning to stay in Ireland for up to 90 days have nothing to worry about when it comes to paperwork. However, since you are moving to Ireland from the US, this probably doesn’t apply to you. Depending on your intentions behind the decision to relocate, you will need to acquire a suitable long-term D visa. Here are the options you have:
Studying in Ireland
If you want to pursue an education in Ireland as a US citizen, you need to obtain a student visa, for which you must apply up to three months before your arrival. But before you can do that, you first need to apply to an Irish university. This step is essential as you must have the acceptance letter to qualify for the visa. Fortunately, the application process is relatively straightforward and can be done online on the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service website. However, remember that the years you spent in school won’t count if you intend to apply for Irish citizenship in the future.
Working in Ireland
If your uni days are behind you, you will likely want to get a job once you move to Ireland. For this to be possible, you will need to apply for an employment permit. But there is a catch – you have to find a job beforehand, which isn’t exactly easy unless your skills make you a more attractive employee than other EU candidates. Additionally, the higher your salary, the greater your chances are of getting the permit.
Retiring in Ireland
Your third option is to retire in Ireland. It’s essential to note that, to be able to spend your golden years on the Emerald Isle, your financial situation needs to be outstanding, or you won’t be able to meet the requirements. Namely, your annual income cannot be lower than €50,000, and you need to have enough savings to cover any major unexpected expenses.
Becoming an Irish citizen
Those who are lucky enough to have some Irish blood in their veins have it much easier when it comes to acquiring Irish citizenship. If your parent(s) or grandparent(s) were born in Ireland, you automatically qualify for citizenship. If you were born abroad, all you need to do is register in the Foreign Birth Register.
If you have no Irish roots, you may become a citizen through naturalization, for which you can apply if you are 18 or over, married to an Irish citizen (for at least three years), and have been living in Ireland for at least five years.
Caption: Becoming an Irish citizen is not easy but it sure is worth it.
Alt-tag: A four leaf clover
Research the housing market
Deciding where you want to rent or buy a home can be challenging if you are not familiar with the local housing market. After all, there is much more to Ireland than Dublin. Depending on your job and a couple of other factors, you might find that moving to a smaller town or even village is a better option for you and your family.
A quick visit before your relocation and even temporary accommodation could help you get better acquainted with the new surroundings.
Caption: The housing market in Dublin is not exactly affordable, which is understandable.
Alt-tag: The Temple Bar in Dublin
Plan your move
Moving within one city is stressful. However, the stress levels increase tenfold when there is an entire ocean between your current and future home. Fortunately, ensuring a trouble-free process when moving from the USA to Europe is possible if you enlist the help of professionals. Thus, make sure to trust your belongings to an experienced moving company so that you can devote your full attention to more important parts of the transition.
Prepare for culture shock
Speaking of more important parts, you must prepare yourself for culture shock. Although the US and Ireland share a lot of similarities, you will likely need to implement some major changes in your lifestyle.
The country has a rich history that reflects in the architecture, literature, music, food, and even sports. Learning about the customs and habits of the Irish people beforehand will help you assimilate more efficiently. Practicing some common expressions won’t hurt either, especially if you are not used to the language. Yes, it is still English (unless it’s Gaelic), but you might struggle to understand people unless you are used to the accent. Furthermore, make sure to prepare for a lot of exploring. Ireland is a stunningly unique country, and you certainly don’t want to miss out on what it has to offer.
Caption: After moving to Ireland from the US, you will be able to enjoy these sights whenever you want.
Alt-tag: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
In conclusion
Moving to Ireland from the US is anything but easy. This article covers the essentials of what you need to know before you dive deeper into the process. However, make sure to contact the nearest Irish embassy for more accurate information. Once you finally commence your life in this beautiful country, you will realize the endless amounts of paperwork and documents were indeed worth the hassle.
Meta description: Thinking about moving to Ireland from the US? First, you must inform yourself about the details that will make this possible. Here is everything you need to know