Hi Sarah, This is a great topic, thank you for asking the question. Speaking from my own point of view I can tell you that each time I moved back home (twice), I couldn't say that I knew it WAs the right decision. We really just had a desire to do so, and said let's just do it. Worst case it doesn't work out, and we go back. Which also happened, twice! I get asked this a lot via email and over the phone too. People are so apprehensive. They've built up a great life abroad, have stability in their day to day life, but long for home. It's a very common theme ...

... works, in that you transfer the money to them, and they send it onto your Irish bank account. But all the signups and transfers happen through an app on my iphone. I am even able to login to my bank via the app so the transfer from my bank's point of view is that I am sending a payment online. The transfer rate is about 3-4% better than what the bank gives me, and the fee is $10 rather than $35 from my bank. I'm happy with it. Convenient, cheap, secure. If you WAnt to try it out, if you use this link, you will get a discount, and if enough of you use it, I ...

We met with Dave O'Brien of Quintas in Cork last week, and everything went fine. I paid him €250 and it WAs worth it for the peace of mind and the quality of his work. If he does this work while you are in Ireland, then there will be VAT. Since we aren't living in Ireland yet, he didn't charge it. dave.obrien@quintas.ie I encourage others to contact him for a similar service. I prepared a detailed pile of pdf'ed documents and sent them in an email a month ahead of time, with a detailed manifest for each attachment, so I made his work easy for him. When ...

Hi David, Not so sure about the need to rent for 6 months. I would definitely check all the banks before going down that route. Maybe one or 2 may be willing to lend to you if they look favourably on your financial history elsewhere in the EU. You might also WAnt to try a broker or 2 for that purpose. You may be surprised with your number or responses, but in my own personal experience it's the norm. Estate agents are notoriously difficult to deal with and get hold of in Ireland. Honestly, my own experience with 3 or 4 of them WAs terrible. It shouldn't be ...

@katemreagan - Here are some links: - Is an over view and links on how to apply for a residence card. Policy document for reference - Information from citizeninformation.ie - /p> Text of the Law about it -

... it and both of our names). The process WAs quick and easy, about 15 minutes, and thanks to being married to an Irish citizen, I did not have to pay the 300Euros fee. I got the G/4 stamp in my passport, good for one year and it allows me to work (though I am a semi-retired professor, I may do some consulting and other odd jobs). The Immigration Officer (who may have been the Garda Sergant, and WAs quite friendly) took my photo and prints from my index fingers and that WAs that. This WAs all quite different than the long, expensive and painful process of gett ...

Hi Frank First off I WAnt to thank you so much for the hugely insightful and personal first-hand information that you offered here. Your advice will be a benefit to so many people, thank you! I find it is such a shame that the US has such a cumbersome and costly process in place that is forces people like you to renounce citizenship. Americans, probably like most other nationalities, have immense pride in their country and it is unfortunate that people feel the need to part WAys with their birthright for the sake of some cash. I can totally see where y ...

If you think you might ever WAnt to return to live in the US on your own then you should definitely apply for US citizenship as that would be a sure guarantee you could. If you think you would only go back to the US with your spouse then the decision to become a USC is not so clearcut as you have a ticket back into the US by virtue of marriage to a US citizen . Before deciding, you should be aware that living as a US citizen outside of the US can be burdensome and costly in time and or fees, and heaven help you if you fail to file the correct form and the IR ...

Hi Ingrid, When I moved back to Ireland from the US, I did have to continue to file US taxes (fed & CA) as a US Green card holder. I don't know how that would have changed as years progressed, but I imagine at some point I would no longer be required to file (I have since moved back to the US). Your husband MUST continue to file regardless. All US citizens are obliged to. The issue of double taxation starts to apply at certain income levels. Most people will not be double-taxed, however a tax accountant can best advise you on the details. There are plenty of options out there, but the service I used 2 years running, and am happy to refer people to, are Taxes For Expats. (that is an affiliate link, but if you'd rather go directly to their website, feel free to do so. However if you do go through that link, be sure to use code IMC50 for a $50 discount). Tax pro's, including Taxes for Expats, often have blogposts on this topic. The issue of applying for citizenship is quite personal though. I'm not sure how to advise you there. If you are unsure how your future will turn out back in Ireland, then of course having dual nationality is a huge bonus. Welcome to the site 🙂 Liam

... What if you don't live anywhere close to a State capital? Will a notarized copy work? 3. My guess is that the second interviewer will require more evidence of co-habitation, intent to marry etc. Please let us know what they ask for, but I'm sure it's different from case to case. 2 interviews though! How do they expect people from outside Ireland to do that? 4. Does the MRF have an expiration date? e.g. it is good for up to x number of months in which you have to then get married. I totally understand why, but it's kind of funny that they now put so much ef ...