How to Arrive and
Thrive in Ireland
By
Vaughan Vandenberg
http://www.arriveandthrive.com/ire
February 2017 - 16th Edition
Copyright © 2005 – 2017 Vaughan Vandenberg
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Table of Contents
Introduction Page 6
Chapter 1 Irish citizenship and your visa options Page 7
Irish citizenship
1) Irish citizenship through birth or descent
Citizenship through birth in Ireland up to 31 December 2004
Non-nationals who are parents of children entitled to Irish citizenship through birth in Ireland, can apply for permission to remain in Ireland
Citizenship through birth in Ireland from 1 January 2005 Citizenship through descent from Irish parent(s)
Irish grandparents
Notes about Irish great-grandparents and other Irish ancestors
Irish citizenship through adoption
Summary table
How to apply and the cost involved
2) Becoming an Irish citizen through marriage
How your post-nuptial declaration of citizenship is processed
Making a post-nuptial declaration if you have been divorced
How and where to apply
Getting married in Ireland
3) Becoming an Irish citizen through naturalisation
How your application for naturalisation is dealt with
Note: Citizenship can be revoked – and quite easily too. (Be sure to read this)
The cost of naturalisation
How to apply
Where you can apply for naturalisation
The residence rights of EU nationals in Ireland
The 9 Irish employment permits
1.) The General Employment permit
Occupations that are currently ineligible for work permits since April 2004
The Renewing of Work Permits
When a work permit is not necessary
Details about when a work permit IS necessary but easier to get
Refusal and revoking of work permits
Other categories for employers to note
Changing employment or losing your job
Registration and further permission to remain
The cost of work permits and time involved
How and where to apply for a work permit
2.) Critical Skills Employment Permit (a.k.a. “Irish Green Card”)
3.) Dependant Spouse/Partner Employment Permit
4.) Reactivation Employment Permit
5.) Contract for Services Employment Permit
6.) Intra-Company Employment Permit
7.) Internship Employment Permit
8.) Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
9.) Exchange agreement
Student visas for studying in Ireland
Working in Ireland on a student visa
Renewing student visas
Extending a student visa
People who do not require visas to enter Ireland (entry visas)
The cost of a Student visa
How and where to apply
Working Holiday Visa for Ireland
U.S. Work and Travel Programme
Travelling to Ireland on a Tourist visa if you require an entry visa
The secret way to live legally in Ireland – a.k.a. Self Sufficiency/Retirement
If you’re struggling to qualify for a visa
Chapter 2 The Final Countdown – Packing up Page 31
With more 3 months to go
With 2 months to go
With one month to go
With a few weeks to go
With a week to go
The big day
During the flight and before landing
Chapter 3 Arrival in Ireland – The first few hours Page 43
Clearing Immigration Control
Leaving the airport and getting on your way
Finding temporary accommodation
Sharing
Hostels
Hotels and B&Bs
Communications
The Internet
Chapter 4 Opening a bank account in Ireland Page 49
The reality is…
When you find a Bank
When you have an account
Chapter 5 Finding a permanent home in Ireland Page 52
The nature of the property market in Ireland
The types of accommodation in Ireland
How to Decide Where to Live
The Rental Market
How to Find a Place to Live
The rental procedures in Ireland
Buying Property in Ireland
Chapter 6 Healthcare in Ireland – free and not Page 63
The types of hospitals
Using hospital services
Medical Cards in Ireland
The all-important Personal Public Service Number
The Drugs Payment Scheme in Ireland
The European Health Insurance Card
Family planning and contraceptives
Chapter 7 Schooling for children and further education Page 68
Primary schools
Home education
The ownership and management of primary schools
Secondary Schooling in Ireland
Exemption from the Irish language
‘Third-Level’ or Tertiary Education
Chapter 8 Employment in Ireland – finding a job Page 73
The state of play as an immigrant
The ways to find work in Ireland
How and Why Recruitment Agencies Exist
How to Approach Agencies
How the Agencies may deal with You
The Big Secret
Some agency tricks
How to deal with agencies
The Importance of the Job Interview
Useful websites
Giving notice when changing your job
Chapter 9 Tax and finance matters in Ireland Page 80
Tax and Starting Work in Ireland (PAYE)
Rates of income tax
Social Insurance Fund (PRSI)
Social insurance benefits
Universal Social Charge (USC)
Credited and voluntary contributions
Homemaker's Scheme and Pensions
Your social insurance record if you’ve worked outside Ireland
checking your contributions and benefits
Unemployment Benefit in Ireland
Other types of benefits in brief
Starting a business in Ireland
Other taxes in brief
Some useful Irish tax facts
Financial institutions and your identification
The Irish Credit Bureau
Chapter 10 The Irish weather Page 90
The Facts
Useful Tips
Chapter 11 The facts and figures about Ireland Page 91
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
International Issues
Appendix A Checklist for emigration to Ireland Page 96
Appendix B The list of professional bodies for employment purposes Page 97
Appendix C Irish embassies and consulates for selected countries Page 99
FREE BONUS Irish CV template Page 104
FREE BONUS Irish Employment Interview Guide Page 107
FREE BONUS Access to The Irish Riviera Leisure Guide Page 173
FREE BONUS Culture Shock guide Page 174
Introduction
People tend to under-estimate what is involved in moving to another country, even if the move is temporary. There are many reasons for this. The strongest reason is psychological, in that people tend to only see the things that they want to. The consequence of this is that people arrive aware of only the positive aspects of where they are moving. They are almost oblivious of the downsides or obstacles awaiting them. To compound matters there is the natural ignorance of the practical matters involved in settling in another country. Being able to deal with the unexpected challenges is what makes the difference between success and failure, amongst other things.
This guide is dedicated to detailing the intricacies of relocating to Ireland and providing solutions to common problems encountered by new arrivals. The subjects covered are a broad collection of issues that will touch anyone arriving in Ireland. Each subject is covered in depth so as to provide the reader with more than enough knowledge to make an informed decision about how to deal with an issue or to decide on a course of action.
Where possible, hypertext links to relevant websites have been included. This is so to allow for the reader being able to quickly and easily locate the most up to date information on the subject being discussed. It is assumed that the typical reader of this guide has access to the Internet. If this is problematic for some, it is suggested that the addresses of the links are written down and a visit is made to someone who does have Internet access. To facilitate this the full addresses of all websites are spelt out in the link.
This guide in no way is intended to persuade, attract, lure, entice or interest anyone in moving to Ireland. It would be irresponsible to do so. It is also far too big a decision for anyone to make on someone else's behalf. It is a very personal and private decision. An individual has to be very clear about their motivations for making such a move. It is this motivation that will see them through any tough times encountered.
This guide will greatly improve a person's initial experiences after arriving in Ireland. It is not a panacea and does not in any way guarantee success. No guide, book, formula or such like can guarantee anyone success because each of us is different. We are all equipped with our own unique strengths and weaknesses. It is up to each person to make the best of their circumstances using what resources - physical and psychological - that they have at their disposal. This holds true whether you're emigrating or not, but if you're unaware of this, then emigration will never let you forget this. It will be one of many valuable life-lessons that emigration teaches people.
"How to arrive and thrive in Ireland" will save you needless heartache, speed matters up, save you money and ultimately make for a better experience when settling in Ireland. I repeat, it does not guarantee success in your move. It can only take you so far and do so much for you. That is where your personality and motivations need to carry you further. Nobody will visit countless estate and recruitment agents for you. This guide will show you what is involved, how things work in Ireland, what to watch out for and how to go about doing certain tasks. However, it is up to the individual to use this knowledge whilst persevering and adapting to their unique circumstances.
Seen globally, many people migrate in this age. The vast majority succeed in attaining their goals. A small minority return to where they came from. It is not an impossible mission, but having this guide can only but help you in relocating. I hope that you enjoy reading this guide and that it helps you.
Good luck!
Vaughan Vandenberg
February 2017
PS. Once you’ve been in Ireland for a while, why not let me know how things are turning out for you and how this guide has helped you.
- Chapter 1 -
Irish Citizenship and Your Visa Options
Ireland is a sovereign country, with it’s own laws and democratic structures and is formally known as the Republic of Ireland. It is a member country of the European Union (EU) and is one of 28 such member countries. It shares an island with a province of the United Kingdom (UK). This British province is called ‘Northern Ireland’ and is located in the north-east of the island. The island itself is located to the north-west of Britain. Do not confuse the two ‘Irelands’, because, in effect, there is only one that people think of and refer to and that is the Republic. The British province is the one that has had ‘The Troubles’ over the recent decades and is referred to as ‘Northern Ireland’. The Republic of Ireland is plainly referred to in this guide as ‘Ireland’.
Irish citizenship
Being an Irish citizen means that you are legally recognised as being a national of Ireland and a citizen of the European Union (EU). This last point of EU status is what makes Irish citizenship desirable for some people because having an EU passport allows them to live and work unrestricted in other EU countries. Having an Irish (EU) passport also allows people to work in the EEA (European Economic Area) countries of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
Irish citizenship means that you have certain rights and privileges that are guaranteed under the Irish constitution. These rights and privileges are pretty much what every other modern Western democracy upholds. One notable exception is that an Irish citizen living abroad is not entitled to vote in an Irish election.
As an Irish citizen, you are entitled to hold dual citizenship, i.e. retain citizenship of another country. The Irish have no problem with this, but your current country might have an objection. Not all countries allow dual citizenship, but many do. If you intend to apply for dual citizenship by attaining Irish citizenship, you must check with the authorities of your home country beforehand to ensure that this is permissible. Otherwise you could find yourself in a diplomatic nightmare. Be aware that, by having Irish citizenship, you are not absolved from any of your obligations to the other country whose passport you hold. This is usually especially enforced when it comes to the issue of compulsory military service if applicable.