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Ireland Independent Means Visa
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Program Type:
Independent Means Visa
Processing Time:
4 months
Citizenship Timeline:
N/A
Permanent Residency Timeline:
N/A
Physical Presence Required:
None
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
187 countries
Minimum Contribution:
None
On This Page
Program Overview
Ireland Independent Means Visa
Ireland welcomes those who can demonstrate an annual, independent income of no less than €50,000, as well as the possession of a lump-sum roughly equivalent to the cost of buying a home, to retire or otherwise settle in the country.
The independent means visa is renewable on an annual basis. This visa type offers no path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Ireland Independent Means Visa
How to Qualify
To be eligible for a so-called retirement permission (participants need not necessarily be retired) in Ireland, an applicant must have the financial means to support himself.
This also means that he will not be able to access State benefits while living in Ireland.
Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least €50,000 as well as access to a lump sum of money that can cover any sudden major expenses; as a rule of thumb, this lump sum should be equal to what it would cost for a residential dwelling.
Prospective residents must submit their documentation and application, approval of which will result in a Conditional Letter of Offer and and Agreement Form.
Once in possession of the Conditional Letter of Offer, the applicant must apply at for a D-Reside Visa at an Irish consulate or embassy.
Once granted a visa, the applicant may travel to Ireland for the final registration and receive a passport stamp confirming his status.
Ireland Independent Means Visa
Salient Benefits
- Increased visa-free travel
- Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen
- No investment or donation requirement
- Path to citizenship
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship
- Safety and security
- Enhanced business access to large economies
- Short processing time
- English as official language
Ireland Independent Means Visa
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
The Retirement Visa is valid for one year at a time and is renewable indefinitely as long as the applicant continues to meet the conditions.
After five consecutive years of residency, the applicant is eligible for permanent resident status.
One year after obtaining the permanent residency, the applicant is eligible for Irish citizenship if he can meet certain physical presence requirements and pass an examination conducted in English.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Ireland Independent Means Visa
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to Unit 2 Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, Immigration Service Delivery, Department of Justice.
Ireland Independent Means Visa
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
Ireland Independent Means Visa
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Ireland Independent Means Visa
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.