Naturalisation is the process whereby a non-Irish national can apply to become an Irish citizen.
Through the naturalisation process, a non-Irish national can be issued a certificate of naturalisation and make an application for an Irish passport. The statutory criteria include the requirement that the applicant has acquired five years reckonable residency in the State and be of good character. The Minister exercises absolute discretion in determining applications for a certificate of naturalisation.
An application for Naturalization can be made by any person who has acquired 5 years of reckonable residency in the State, or in the case of a Spouse of Irish Nationals and Refugees, they need only have acquired 3 years. All applicants must have a period of one year of continuous reckonable residence in the State immediately prior to the date of the application for naturalisation. |
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The calculation of reckonable residency is calculated at the time of submitting the application, and not at the determination of it. Reckonable residency is lawful permission to remain on stamp 1, 3, or 4 conditions. Time as a student or asylum seeker is excluded from reckonable residency calculations. In certain specific cases, stamp 2 or 2 A may be regarded as reckonable. As well as satisfying the requirements of reckonable residency, applicants must be of good character. |