@nle86 Nicole, Americans do not need a marriage visa to enter Ireland.
@christy, there are ways. e.g. Bank of Ireland have a number on their site you can call if you are moving to Ireland.
Hi, I'm hoping to better understand this EU1 application that @katemreagan mentions previously. I'm an American and newly Irish citizen (just received citizenship through my grandparents, hooray!), and my wife and two kids are also Americans. We're considering our options in Ireland. Does the EU1 application or the EU Treaty rights application refer to our situations coming from the US? I'm reading other accounts who just went to the local immigration office with their marriage license and passports and that was sufficient, so I'm not sure if I need to prepare these other applications too. Appreciate any input, thanks.
@kpmccahill Kevin, your wife would need to apply for Stamp 4 permission. I recommend reading the following http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000024
Kelsey,
This is Steve, Mairead's husband replying, a US Citizen. Today we went up to the local Garda station with our passports, original marriage certification (we married in Ireland in 2005), and proof of residence (some mail with the family home's address on 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 getting Mairead her green card to be a "permanent resident alien" in the US when we got married! Lawyers, fees, paperwork, letters of recommendation, grilling by unfriendly US Immigration and Naturalization employees, and a terrible time with the FBI because Mairead's skin is so smooth her fingerprints were "rejected"....Twice! 10 years later we can now finally laugh at this. But it was hell.
-Steve
Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for all this useful information!
Can you tell us about your Stamp 4 renewal process, which took place a year later?
Cheers!
This is Steve here, Mairead's husband. I have now been in Ireland about a year and a half. The renewal of the Residency status was about as easy as it was getting the Stamp 4 in the first place, except this time it was at the Dundalk Garda station, which is very big and busy, rather than the small and relatively quiet one in Wicklow Town. So it was difficult getting an appointment with the immigration officer at the station. There was a snafu, where the appointment time was not recorded and conveyed to the right person. But after 3 visits and some waiting in the entry hall, it was finally sorted and I got my 15 minute visit with a very nice officer. He took my full fingerprints this time, all the while telling me stories about our beautiful village of Blackrock (Co. Louth) where he also lives. There were no tricky questions. I guess after enough small talk, these guys can tell if you are up to no good. He stamped my passport and advised me to come back in a couple weeks to pick up the new Resident's card, which I did no problem. No fees were taken. Now, the business of getting a full Irish driving license is another story.... Not quite so easy, but happy ending, we both have them now!
-Steve
This is Steve here, Mairead's husband. I have now been in Ireland about a year and a half. The renewal of the Residency status was about as easy as it was getting the Stamp 4 in the first place, except this time it was at the Dundalk Garda station, which is very big and busy, rather than the small and relatively quiet one in Wicklow Town. So it was difficult getting an appointment with the immigration officer at the station. There was a snafu, where the appointment time was not recorded and conveyed to the right person. But after 3 visits and some waiting in the entry hall, it was finally sorted and I got my 15 minute visit with a very nice officer. He took my full fingerprints this time, all the while telling me stories about our beautiful village of Blackrock (Co. Louth) where he also lives. There were no tricky questions. I guess after enough small talk, these guys can tell if you are up to no good. He stamped my passport and advised me to come back in a couple weeks to pick up the new Resident's card, which I did no problem. No fees were taken. Now, the business of getting a full Irish driving license is another story.... Not quite so easy, but happy ending, we both have them now!
-Steve
Hi Steve, you're a sweetheart! Thanks so much for the quick reply!
Upon renewal, what documentation did you have to present to the officer to prove your Irish residency or marriage status?
Were you instructed to bring rent receipts/rental agreement/pay stubs/tax forms/proof of house ownership?
And how long is your new permit valid for?
Thanks a lot again! I'm happy for you, Ireland is a great country.
Hi Joey,
I probably brought some of that stuff, but they just wanted to see last year's card, my passport and that was that, since I presented those things at the 1st meeting a year earlier.
Steve
And the new permit (passport stamp and card) is for another year.
And the new permit (passport stamp and card) is for another year.
So there is no application by mail process with forms and a checklist of documents you have to send, like here in the States for green card renewal applicants?
Sorry if this is obvious from you reply, it just seems too good to believe...