I would never ever write a post this long. But the first two weeks in Ireland had been the most stressful days for our family. There is enough information on the internet but not in order and not definitely from the start to the end. So I thought of including all the necessary information in one post so someone like me would find this post helpful.
One fine day, we decided to move to the Republic of Ireland for my spouse's work purpose. He visited the country a couple of times before and I checked out via face time. We wanted to take the plunge and explore this part of the world.
Before The Big Move:
If moving to Ireland for work, make sure to apply for a work permit and visa well in advance. The type of work visa (Critical skills/ general work permit) depends on the type of work you do and your nationality.
Processing takes around 4-6 weeks for work permit approval and another 4-6 weeks for visa approvals irrespective of the location of your embassy. Few embassies have visa decisions updated on their website but there is no centralized process to track your visa application.
Visa officers were considerate and pleasant. They took the time to verify application and crosscheck documents and called us regarding additional documents and updated us every step of the way. We were told that the children below 16 do not need a visa even if the stay is > 90 days. Just carry their original birth certificates while entering Ireland.
Upon Arrival:
Upon arrival, you will go through immigration and customs just like any other county. I found the immigration procedure to be different from USA/ Canada. The immigration officer will place a landing stamp in the passport and date is indicated. landing stamp gives you permission to stay in the country up to 90 days. Before the expiry date on landing stamp, register at a local garda station. Once registered, the IRP card will be issued in a month. If not, you might have to leave the country.
After Entering Ireland:
If you are entering the country for work, there are several formalities/ cards you need to apply for
- Phone number: It is easier to get a prepaid mobile number initially to start things off. A local phone number is essential for house hunting, PPS application, bank account opening, etc. for two-factor authentication. I got a basic prepaid plan from Tesco Mobile SIM only plan.
- Bank Account: BOI (Bank of Ireland) provides an option to open a bank account from overseas. We filled application before entering Ireland and provided the bank with all the necessary documentation. Bank never processed our application because our application had Ohio and our driver's license had OH and they never cared to inform us. After reaching Ireland, we opened a bank account with Permanent TSB. Walked into a bank with all original documents like passport, work authorization, a letter from employer stating hotel address as out temporary accommodation and such. We were able to open a bank account immediately and account took 48hrs to be activated and the debit card was mailed to our hotel address. However, we were able to carry online transactions within 48 hrs.
- House Hunting: House hunting is the craziest experience in Ireland. I loathed the house hunt in Ireland. Later I got to know that all my other European friends have a similar experience with house hunting for rent. For the GNIB / IRP application, a lease agreement is mandatory as a proof of address. They do not accept temporary hotel address and for that very reason, we had to find a house fast. First of all, there are no houses in the market for rent. Few houses that were priced for €1500 reeked of a musty smell, had major cracks and water stains in the ceiling. Rental agencies and landlords insisted on references from the previous landlord. So have a solid reference from your employer. Homeowners will ask for PPS numbers, bank account details, one month rent as advance and one-month rent deposit. We wrote a heartfelt mail to the owner along with our application stating why we would be the perfect tenant. To our surprise, we got selected and thus thankfully ended our house hunt.
- Register for alerts with sites like daft.ie, sherryfitz.ie
- Book first available viewing and verify the house thoroughly during viewing
- There will be multiple appointments for the same time slot. don't be surprised if 20 people show up at the same time slot
- Fill the application and follow up with an agent and let them know why you are interested in this house
- Pay a deposit on time and get the lease signed by both parties. don't forget the receipt for your rent and deposit
- If there are any additional requests, make sure to add them in the agreement
- Read the agreement thoroughly before signing
- PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) and PSC (Public Services Card): PSC card is used as an ID and is required for all most everything including driving license, rental agreement, bank accounts, etc. Personal Public Service number is required for social security benefits, child benefits, rent application, filing taxes, etc. This is similar to SSN (USA), Adhar Card (India). Registration is free of cost. Make an appointment at your local welfare office for all family members. During an appointment at the welfare office, you would fill out an application for each person including kids and state the reason for a PPS number (employment, child benefits, tax purposes if the spouse is unemployed at the time of application, etc). Officer would verify all documents, take a picture for ID and verify the online account. PPS number will be mailed within 5 days and the PSC card will take another week. Carry below original documents for your PPS appointment
- All Passports old and new
- Marriage certificate
- Kids birth certificates
- Letter from children's school
- Letter from employer
- Address proof
- The temporary address is accepted for PPS applications.
- PPS Number (Personal Public Service Number) for kids: There are no PSC cards for kids. But PPS number is issued. Once applied for children PPS number, call the welfare office to receive children PPS number.
- Child Benefits for kids below 16: Each eligible kid would receive child benefit of €140 /month. Child benefit is paid to the mother. There are different options for payment method. You can opt for an online deposit or head to the post office every month and pick up the payment. If you chose to go the bank deposit route, make sure the mother is a joint account holder or the mother should have an individual bank account. Else, the application will be rejected. Mail original documents to child benefit office in Co. Donegal along with filled application form.
- Mother PPS and PSC card
- Child PPS number
- Verified MyGovID account of applying parent
- IRP/ GNIB of applying parent
- Original passports
- Children birth certificates
- Bank account details
- Address Proof
- Letter from School for school-aged children
- Letter from a doctor for children not of school age
- Under 6Y GP Visit Card: Child care for children under 6 years of age is free. Basic care is covered but medication and hospital care are not covered. You need child PPS number for registration.
- IRP (Irish Residency Permit): IRP is also known as GNIB. IRP is not an ID card but it is a proof of registration with the Irish immigration department ( similar to USA I-94 ). I-94 has issued automatically upon entry to the USA and is valid until your visa expires (6 months for visitors). IRP is issued by local garda station after document verification. Registering for IRP is a separate process and mandatory before the expiry date on landing stamp. Immigration officer generally suggests the registration garda station based on your county of residence. All original documents along with proof of address are required. Temporary proof of address will not be accepted. Registration fee is €300 per person. Once documents are verified, a physical IRP card is issued in a month and needs to be picked up in person (depends on where one resides. IRP card is mailed to applicant's house in Dublin). IRP is valid for a maximum of 1 year and must be renewed every year by paying €300 every year. Fun right!!!. Check with the garda station for appointments and walk-in availability. Children below 16 years of age do not need to be registered. A relief !!! IRP states the type of stamp and validity of your stay. IRP card is mandatory for a re-entry visa. Documents needed
- Original passports
- Marriage certificates
- The lease agreement signed by the tenant and landlord or any utility bill as address proof
- €300 payable by credit card (visa/master) or bank giro
- Re-entry Visa: Edit: No Re-entry visa required for adults after 13 May 2019. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/abolition-of-adult-re-entry-visas. Children below 16, who are not eligible for IRP still require re-entry visa. Re-Entry visa is dependent on your NATIONALITY. Without a re-entry visa, you cannot travel in and out of Ireland. The application can be posted to Dublin.
- Filled application based on stamp type
- Filled application for kids above 4
- Filled application for kids below 4 (if applicable)
- Original Passports
- 2 passport size photos of the applicant
- Valid original IRP cards
- Bank draft / Postal order of application fee
House hunting / PPS / IRP / Multiple entry visas is a chicken-egg situation. You need a permanent address to apply for IRP, You will not find a home unless you have PPS and for signing a lease you need PPS. I still do not comprehend the importance of IRP and re-entry visa when they can be easily integrated into one. It is an additional expense and immense stress for the applicant.
Plan ahead and get as many documents as you can from the company HR to successfully navigate this situation. Good luck!!! you need it.
Edit: RECENT CHANGES
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/abolition-of-adult-re-entry-visas
Edit: RECENT CHANGES
- INIS made a welcoming change by abolishing re-entry visa for adults that hold valid IRP card.
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/abolition-of-adult-re-entry-visas
- Spouse of Critical skills applicant do not need a separate work permit
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