Tag Archive for: citizenship application

RECENT UPDATES

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES DECEMBER 2024

 

More than 6,000 people were granted Irish citizenship in Killarney, Co. Kerry on the 2nd and 3rd of December this year. Seven citizenship ceremonies were held at the INEC in Killarney over the two days, with applicants from over 140 different countries living across Ireland.

In 2024, over 30,000 people received decisions on naturalisation applications. This is the highest number reached in a single year since records began. Ceremonies to mark the occasion of citizenship being granted first began in 2011. In the 13 years since, 197 ceremonies have been held to celebrate the granting of citizenship to people from 180 different countries.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the new Irish citizens, particularly those who are clients of Berkeley Solicitors.

TRAVEL CONFIRMATION NOTICE

Due to backlogs in processing registrations, the ISD has confirmed that Non EEA Nationals in the State who plan to travel abroad over the Christmas period will be permitted to travel on recently expired IRP cards. To avail of this extension, the person must have applied to renew their permission in advance of the expiry date of their IRP card.

Travelling applicants should print this notice and carry it with them, along with their recently expired IRP card, and the email confirming that they have applied to renew their permission. These documents must be presented if requested by airlines and immigration authorities. Please note that this extension is valid from the 2nd of December 2024 to the 31st of January 2025 only.

Further details on this Travel Confirmation Notice can be found here.

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY UPDATE

UPCOMING CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES

The Department of Justice has announced that the next citizenship ceremonies will take place on Monday the 5th of December and Tuesday the 6th of December 2022. The ceremonies are being hosted at the Killarney Convention Centre in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Invitations will issue in due course to eligible candidates. Candidates are required to produce identity documents, for example a valid passport, on the day of the ceremony for verification purposes. At the ceremony candidates take an oath of fidelity to the nation, receive their certificate of naturalisation and become Irish citizens.

Berkeley Solicitors wishes to congratulate our clients who have recently received their Irish Citizenship, and all who will be attending these ceremonies.

EMPLOYMENT PERMITS ACT 2024 SIGNED INTO LAW

NEW SCORECARD APPROACH INTRODUCED FOR CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS FROM JANUARY 2022

On the 31st December 2021, the Department of Justice announced that it would be introducing a scorecard approach for supporting documents that are required for citizenship applications, to prove required residency and establish identity.

The scorecard approach, which is applicable from the 1st of January 2022, is intended to clarify the information that applicants are intended to provide to establish their identity and required residency when applying for Irish citizenship.

Previously, applicants were required to provide a certain number of proofs of residency for each year of the period of residence claimed on their application form. Under the new approach, applicants will now need to reach a score of 150 points in each of the years proof of residency is required. A certain proof of residency will have a definite point value that has been predetermined by the Department.

Furthermore, an applicant will be need to provide sufficient documentation to accumulate 150 points to establish their identity. In the circumstances where an applicant is not able to meet the 150 points standard, the Department has indicated that the applicant will need to engage with the Citizenship Division to provide reasons as to why this is the case.

In the announcement, the Department highlighted the importance that proofs of identity and residence hold for a citizenship application, and confirmed that insufficient documentation can lead to an application being deemed ineligible.

An applicant is no longer required to submit their original passport with their citizenship application; however, the Minister reserves the right to request original passports from an applicant at any stage in the process.

The full announcement can be read here.

If you or a family member have queries about your naturalization application, please do not hesitate to contact our office.