How to Get PR for Ireland?

A PR for Ireland is called the "Long Term Residency" in Ireland. This is granted via Stamp 1 and Stamp 4 on your passport. The Long Term Residency permission allows you to stay and work for an additional 5 years without the need for a further work visa in Ireland.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment issues the Long Term Residency Permit (PR) for Ireland to those who have stayed legally in the country for a minimum of 5 years or 60 months on an employment permit. Candidates whose application for the PR in Ireland gets approved can stay and work in Ireland for an additional 5 years (post the previous completion of 5 years on a work visa) without the need to further extend their work visa. Read this article to get complete information on getting a PR for Ireland via the student route for Indians. 

Benefits of Getting a PR in Ireland

There are numerous benefits to living as a permanent resident in Ireland, as given below. 

• Freedom to live and work in Ireland without visa restrictions: Getting a PR or Long Term Residency permit in Ireland replaces the need for work visa renewals. This period allows for career progression and job stability by allowing you to pursue any career path and work for any employer, opening doors to diverse opportunities.

• Provides access to public services in Ireland: The Long Term Residency permit holders get access to the excellent healthcare facilities, renowned educational system such as schools and universities and social welfare benefits; all of which provides a safety net and support system to the international residents.

• Pathway to becoming an Irish citizen: Usually after staying for a period of 5 years, the PR holders can apply for the Irish citizenship. The Irish citienship provides the many other benefits including the right to vote in the country.

• Visa-free Travel Across Europe: The Irish PR holders can travel visa-free within the EU-EEA region, which increases their chances of employment. 
• Sponsorship of the Dependents: The Long Term Resident permit holders in Ireland can sponsor their family  members for the dependent visa, which allows their family members to join them in Ireland. 

Pathway to Irish Long Term Residency for an Indian Student

This involves transitioning from the student visa, to post-graduate work visa and then finally switching to the Long Term Residency Visa. Let us now learn about the Irish student visa, the pathway visa (the Irish Post-Study Work Visa) and the Long Term Residency Permit (PR) for Ireland and how can one switch from a student visa to a PR in Ireland.

Here is the general pathway to getting an Irish PR via the student route: 

1. The Foundation - The Student Visa (Stamp 2)

This is where your journey begins. To study in Ireland, you will get a Stamp 2 visa, or commonly called as the student visa for Ireland.

• What it is: A visa that allows you to study a full-time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
• What it allows: Students on a student visa for Ireland can study full-time at a recognised Irish institution. International students on a Stamp 2 visa in Ireland can also work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during university holiday periods.
• What is required of you during this phase: Excel in your studies (a good academic record is important) and, if possible, gain relevant work experience through your part-time work allowance.

2. The Bridge - The Post-Study Work Visa (Stamp 1G)

Having a Stamp 1G visa in Ireland emphasizes that you have completed your studies and have the permission for searching a job under the Third Level Graduate Programme. This visa is granted for a period of 12 months but an extension of further 12 months can be provided for postgraduate degree holders. 

• What it is: A post-study work visa that allows you to stay in Ireland and seek employment.
• Duration: 12 months for graduates of bachelor's programs and 24 months for master's and PhD graduates. 

• What it allows: Work full-time (40 hours per week) without needing an initial employment permit. This is your opportunity to find a company that is willing to sponsor you for a full employment permit.
• What should be your goal during this phase: Actively search for a full-time job in your field. Your primary target should be a role that qualifies for the Critical Skills Employment Permit.

3. The Key to Long-Term Stay - The Employment Permit (Stamp 1)

This visa allows you to stay and work in Ireland for a definite period of time. To get an employment permit, you must find an sponsor who is eligible and able to sponsor you. However, you must note that this visa is non-renewable and if you do not switch to another visa before your current visa expires, then you may have to leave the country. 

There are two main types of employment permits: 

1. The Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) - often the best route
2. The General Employment Permit (GEP) - alternate route

4. Securing Stronger Residency - The Stamp 4

Stamp 4 is a significant upgrade in your residency status in Ireland. It is not a "PR" yet, but it offers many of the same freedoms and benefits.

• What it is: A permission to reside in Ireland that is not tied to a specific employer.
• How to get it: One can apply to get a Stamp 4 visa in Ireland after holding a Critical Skills Employment Permit for 2 years or after holding a General Employment Permit for 5 years.

• Major Advantages of Stamp 4:

• • You can work in any occupation without needing an employment permit.

• • You can change employers freely without needing to update your visa everytime.

• • You can establish a business.

• • You can avail of several government benefits and public funds.
  • You can apply to renew your existing visa, wich was not possible in the work permit.

5. Final Goal - Long Term Residency (Stamp 5)

This is the Irish equivalent of Permanent Residency. The Stamp 5 visa gives permission to remain in Ireland "Without Condition as to Time" (WCATT). 

Let  us now read the eligibility requirements and the process to get a PR in Ireland. 

Eligibility Requirements for PR in Ireland

Below is the list of mandatory requirements for getting a Pr in Ireland for Indians. Candidates must meet all of these to qualify for the Long Term Residency. 

1. You must have legally lived and worked in Ireland on either the Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 work visa for a period of 5 years. The proof of the same can be presented by showing either Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 on your passport or expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards.
• Note that the valid duration counted towards qualifying 5 years period towards the Irish PR is referred to through the stamps on your passport. Any period of your stay that does not have a corresponding stamp on your passport or for which you did not hold a valid IRP card will not be counted towards the qualifying 5 years. 
2. You have had the employment permits/critical skills permits, also known as the “green cards” that are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
3. At any point in time during your stay in Ireland, you have not been an undue burden on the state. 
4. You have never been under the serious consideration of An Garda Síochána (Irish Police), i.e. you possess a good character.
5. You have never offended the conditions pertaining to your previous permits. 
6. You are a legal resident of the state at the time of submitting the Irish PR application. 
7. You must be working legally during and after making the application. Note that the application from the “self-employed” individuals is not accepted for the Long Term Residency Permit in Ireland. 

How to Apply for a PR in Ireland?

Please note that the process of submitting the Ireland PR application is offline. Follow these steps to apply for an Irish PR:

1. Candidates have to download and take a printout of the application form on https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Long-Term-Residency-Application-Form.pdf. 
2. Fill out the application form; remember that all the sections of this application should be duly filled.  
3. Attach all the required documents in the desired format and send the applications ion the below-given address.

Remember, if any section of your application is found incomplete, then your application will not be processed and returned to you. 

What to do after My Ireland PR Application is Approved?

You will receive a letter from the Immigration Service Delivery, Ireland, approving your application for PR. In the next step, you will be required to pay the application fee for the same. 

The Ireland PR application fee is €500, and it must be paid within 28 days of making the application, after receiving the “approved” status on your application.

Note that the candidates receive permission of stay (Long Term Residency) as soon as their application fee is received by the Immigration Service Delivery or the other concerned authority.

Where to pay the fee? How to pay the fees? Accepted mode of online payments

Registration

It is necessary to register yourself online on the ‘Department of Justice: Irish Immigration Service Online’ portal after you receive your Irish Long Term Residency permit. This process is online; all you need to do is visit the website https://inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login and login into your ISD account. 

Note:- You will be required to pay an additional registration fee at this step.

What to do if My Ireland PR Application is Refused?

You will still receive a letter from the Immigration Service Delivery if your application for Irish PR is rejected, along with the reasons for rejection. However, unlike the case with the other countries, you cannot make an appeal if you receive a rejection. 

You may still be able to reapply at any time, this time with an improved application by focusing on the key reasons that led to the rejection.