Ireland’s Department of Justice has implemented a number of key changes to immigration processes in Ireland.1 Among the changes are residency rules for citizenship applications and clarity on periods spent outside of Ireland in the lead up to a citizenship application. The changes took effect 31 July 2023.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The changes expanding the number of days applicants can be absent in the year before applying for citizenship will allow more flexibility. The use of digital services will provide faster and more efficient delivery of immigration decisions.
Details
Effective 31 July 2023 the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 implements a wide range of legislative amendments to include:
- A possible total 100 days of absence in the year preceding a citizenship application may be permitted, replacing the controversial “six-week rule.” Now up to 70 days of absence from Ireland may be permitted, with an additional 30 days when necessary, under exceptional circumstances (a detailed list of exceptions includes for health, employment, family, humanitarian and study purposes).
- The immigration authorities can serve documents electronically, allowing for immigration decisions to be issued by email or through a customer portal. This will not replace current services but introduces more flexibility and modernisation.
- A reduction in residency requirements for citizenship applications for children born in Ireland, without an automatic entitlement to Irish citizenship, from 5 years to 3 years
KPMG INSIGHTS
Many applicants will welcome these changes, particularly those regarding the clarity on periods spent outside of Ireland in the year preceding the making of a citizenship application.
If employers or individuals have questions regarding citizenship and naturalisation in Ireland they should consult with their qualified immigration counsel or they can contact a member of the Immigration and Employment Law team with KPMG Law in Ireland (see the below Contact Us section).
FOOTNOTE
1 Department of Justice press release, Minister McEntee commences majority of wide-ranging Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (1 August 2023).
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ireland.
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