r/IrishCitizenship • • Sep 07 '26

Megathread Megathread: Proposed Changes to Irish Naturalisation Requirements

106 Upvotes

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about proposed changes to the requirements for Irish naturalisation.

For a while, this was little more than a comment from an individual politician. It now appears that proposals are being brought forward for consideration, so this has moved beyond the level of "something someone said on the internet."


Rules for seeking Irish citizenship to be tightened under proposals due to go to Cabinet

‘People just want safety’: Migrants feel ‘targeted’ by Irish citizenship reforms

Petition to Keep the 3 year citizenship route for spouses of Irish citizens here

Change.org Petition

https://www.change.org/p/petition-against-increasing-irish-citizenship-from-5-to-8-years

Petition to keep the 5 year rule and publish an impact study before making changes

https://www.reddit.com/r/IrishCitizenship/comments/1w9xcrk/megathread_proposed_changes_to_irish/p9nvuj4/


Say no to the citizenship overhaul.

Three more years, for people already here. And nobody has shown why.
https://keepitfive.org/


Let them know what you think of this.

Contact info can be found here: local TDs / Taoiseach / Minister for Justice

/u/kelsa118 has a letter template you can use or customise as you see fit.

Two more templates here


Since this directly concerns Irish citizenship, I'm making this one dedicated thread for discussion.

Normally, the answer to political discussions here is "No Politics." That rule still stands. This is a narrowly defined exception for discussion of a proposed change to citizenship policy that is directly relevant to this subreddit.

This is a discussion about Irish citizenship policy. It is not a general immigration debate.

A few ground rules:

  • Keep the discussion focused on the proposed changes and their implications for Irish citizenship and naturalisation.
  • No anti-immigrant rhetoric, racism, xenophobia, or dog whistles. Those will be removed and may result in a permanent ban.
  • Claims that migrants or asylum-seekers are inherently dishonest, are "taking advantage" of the system, are lying about being in danger, etc. are not going to be entertained here.
  • No "Ireland is full," "go home," or variations thereof. You will be banned. This is your only warning.
  • Don't use this thread as an excuse to debate whether immigrants are good or bad for Ireland.
  • Keep speculation clearly identified as speculation. There is a difference between what has actually been proposed, what is being reported, and what someone thinks might happen.
  • If you're making factual claims about the proposal, please provide a source where possible.
  • Don't turn this into a referendum on Irish political parties or politicians.

Please report comments that violate these rules.

I can't read every comment in every thread, and I won't necessarily see something unless someone reports it. If you see something that crosses the line, report it. You don't need to get into an argument with the person or try to moderate the thread yourself. Report it and I'll see it and take action.

The purpose of having one thread is to give people who are actually affected by potential changes to naturalisation somewhere to discuss them without turning r/IrishCitizenship into another general-purpose immigration or politics subreddit.

Separate threads about this topic will be removed and redirected here.

If this thread turns into the usual collection of anti-immigrant rubbish, it will be closed. This subreddit will not be place for a bunch of eejits to spew hate.

Keep it civil, keep it relevant, and keep it about citizenship.


r/IrishCitizenship • • Jul 03 '26

Announcement A Quick Word on Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

212 Upvotes

Given recent events, this shouldn't need to be said, but apparently it does.

This subreddit is for helping people with Irish citizenship. It is not the place for anti-immigrant nonsense, racist talking points, xenophobic dog whistles, or any variation of "I'm only asking questions..."

If you're in the comments having a go at immigrants instead of helping someone with an Irish citizenship question, you've wandered into the wrong subreddit.

Going forward, moderation on this will be exceptionally straightforward.

If you post anti-immigrant comments, you're getting a permanent ban.

Not warned. Not given a "please be civil." Not invited to debate whether your dog whistle is technically a whistle.

Just banned.

Overt bigotry gets a permanent ban. Thinly veiled bigotry gets a permanent ban. "I'm just asking questions..." followed by the same recycled anti-immigrant talking points gets a permanent ban.

For everyone else: if you see this shite, report it. Don't waste your time arguing with people who aren't here to help anyone. Hit the Report button, carry on with your day, and I'll take care of the rest.

The overwhelming majority of people here are decent people who just want to help others navigate the Irish citizenship process. Let's keep it that way.

Update: Thanks to all of you making reports. Keep up the good work. It gives me great satisfaction to ban those gobshites.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 6h ago

Foreign Birth Registration FBR SUCCESS + DOCS

7 Upvotes

Just noticed my success email from 2 days ago just now! Over the moon!

TIMELINE
-DOCS RCVD: 30 Apr 25
-ADD’L DOCS: 25 Feb 26
-SENT DOCS: 26 Feb 26
-APPROVED: 13 Oct 26
Total Days: 531
Additional Docs added 6 months.

My daughter lives in Europe, and I’ll be able to live closer to her in the near future.

Thanks to all out here providing feedback and guidance along the way.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 4h ago

Passport Passport query

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3 Upvotes

Is this normal? Tracker says passport dispatched but also processing application at the same time.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 2h ago

Other/Discussion Citizenship through Grandparent

2 Upvotes

I am getting it through my paternal grandmother who was born in Dublin. Gathering paperwork now. My dad (never got his citizenship, though he could have) and I have the same last name. In that case, will I need to provide my mom and dad's marriage license? (I am providing my grandmother's marriage license, since her marriage to my grandfather is how I got my last name). My mom's last name kinda seems irrelevant here so I think no but wanted to double check. TIA!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 5h ago

Permits and Visas Irish Spouse Visa

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0 Upvotes

r/IrishCitizenship • • 9h ago

Other/Discussion IRP expires after 5 years

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m in a bit of a tricky situation and would appreciate some advice from anyone who’s been through something similar.

I’ll become eligible to apply for Irish citizenship on 28 November 2026, but my current IRP expires shortly after, on 15 December 2026.

I was made redundant last year, and finding a new job that offers visa sponsorship has been extremely challenging.

Following my redundancy, I applied for an IRP extension under the redundancy scheme and was granted an additional 12 months (which is very nice of them and I am very thankful) to find employment. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to secure a sponsored position and will have to leave the country next month.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?
Is there any options for me at all besides leaving the country?


r/IrishCitizenship • • 9h ago

Permits and Visas Number of days outside Ireland on a Stamp 2

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1 Upvotes

r/IrishCitizenship • • 13h ago

Naturalisation Applying from NI - PSNI check

2 Upvotes

Does everyone get asked for this? The solicitor who did our certifying says it’s quite randomised.

Acknowledge that it’s ACRO or access NI


r/IrishCitizenship • • 12h ago

Permits and Visas Stamp 4 - Spouse of Irish national - waiting time

1 Upvotes

Any non-EU visa required spouse who has applied for Spouse of Irish National Scheme from within Ireland this year 2026, how long did it take for approval to come?

Or if you are still waiting for approval, how long have you been waiting?


r/IrishCitizenship • • 4h ago

Permits and Visas Can Stamp 2 IRP holders apply for a medical card/GP visit card?

0 Upvotes

A chairde, I'm a non-EU international student (Stamp 2) who will be resident in Ireland for at least the next four years. I have my Irish Residence Permit and PPSN, and a DPS card, but I’m worried that a medical card/GP visit card could count as public services/benefits. Will they, or am I ok to go ahead and apply? I had the same concern about the DPS card but it seems like that’s fine. I just want to make sure I don't get flagged next time I renew my IRP, or if I apply for citizenship one day. Grma!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 15h ago

Other/Discussion Has anyone applied for a Stamp 2 IRP renewal on 15 July 2026 and still received no emails after 3 months?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I applied for my Stamp 2 IRP renewal on 15 July 2026, and it has now been 3 months. I still haven’t received any emails or updates about my application.
I haven’t received an approval email or any other confirmation, and I’m getting really worried because I need my IRP card for work.
Is anyone else in the same situation who applied around 15 July and hasn’t received any emails yet?
Have any of you who applied around the same date received your approval or IRP card?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Success Story 364 Days

6 Upvotes

09/26/2025 - Email received that they got my paperwork
09/25/2026 - My FBR was officially approved!
10/14/2026 - Letter arrived! Well now I have to call every beer a Pint of beer :)


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Success Story Our FBR Experience

7 Upvotes

Applied for our daughter's FBR soon after her birth and got the certificate finally! Our timeline:

08/25/2025 -- Applied & paid fee online
09/04/2025 -- Sent the envelope full of documents
09/15/2025 -- Docs delivered to DFA
09/30/2026 -- Got the "application successful email"
10/13/2026 -- Certificate delivered.

We did move while the application was pending but did not get any email asking for any address update prior to certificate issuance despite multiple chats through the WebChat with reps indicating we had moved and them responding with "added a note to your file".

Finally after the "successful" email, we sent an email to [fbr.urgentqueries@dfa.ie](mailto:fbr.urgentqueries@dfa.ie) indicating our address had changed with a mortgage statement as proof. There was no response but they sent it to the correct address ultimately. If you are reading this and are in the same situation probably don't wait and send this email right after you move. The Webchat agents do verify if your address was updated or not, they just don't/can't do it for you. Also a few days after the "application successful" email you can WebChat and ask for the An post tracking number for the package.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Foreign Birth Registration Your Guidance Requested! Name Spelling Variation on FBR Application

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm helping my father with his FBR. He is eligible through his grandfather, born in Ireland in 1884.

His grandfather's birth certificate lists the father's surname (and therefore his) as "McDonnell." However, after immigrating to the US, future docs like Marriage, Daughter's Birth cert, & Death cert use "McDonald."

I'm planning to write a concise cover letter that outlines this to include when I ship documents. Specifically in the FBR application, there is a field for "Surname as on civil birth certificate" which I will use the original spelling on.

My question - is the field marked "Current Surname (if different)" one I should use to write "McDonald" ( the alternate spelling used in future documents after immigrating to the US)? Or is that really intended for marriage-related surname changes?

Thanks so much in advance!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Foreign Birth Registration DFA passport application - First Time

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2 Upvotes

Evening folks - just a quick question.

My passport is due (estimated) to arrive on 16/10/26 , however the application still views as processing on the DFA website.

My question is, does the website update when the passport has been sent, or does it remain like this until received?

Thank you!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Permits and Visas Renewing Employment Permit - not accepting 36 months

3 Upvotes

Hello

I hope this is ok to ask here, as I'm not really sure which other sub would be appropriate. Please let me know if it's not. My current work permit is set to expire on 31/12/2026, and I've been trying to rewnew it for over a month now (I was on holidays when it first opened) and have kept running into technical issue after technical issue.

We finally got the company contact sorted after two weeks and all the documents uploaded and verified, and went to renew it, going into EPOS to click 'renew', inputted everything but it's only letting me apply for a renewal period of 24 months, not 36. It's basically treating my renewal as a brand new applications. I've emailed the help desk two weeks ago and again last week, but haven't gotten any response apart from the acknowledgement it was sent (I'm aware of the work to rule and strike that's on today).

I'm wanting to get this done ASAP as I'm aware there's a three month delay on renewals, and then a further delay on IRP processing and I'm set to apply for citizenship next year and would like to keep it at that without delaying it, in hopes there's some grandfather clause for those with less than a year left when the new law passes. Anyone else have this issue? Or any idea on how to go around it? I've messaged one of the TDs for the area I live in as well since I had other things to mention relating to my job (semi-public), whom I know personally, but no answer on that yet. Just starting to get a bit stressed, and all the informal advise I've gotten says do not submit for 24 months just to have it submitted.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Passport Passport Application: Include Country of Origin Passport or Just a Notarized Copy?

1 Upvotes

Hi, Everyone —
I received my FBR registration last week ✅. I am applying for a passport now.
The website says I can include a witnessed notarized copy of either my passport or driver’s license from my country of origin. The cover email with my online passport application says I need to include the passport itself. Which is it? (For safety reasons, I’d rather not send the original passport.)

Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks! Glad to be making progress after a year or so.


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Passport Processing time?

1 Upvotes

Hello, I made the application for naturalization in May and I haven't seen any movement on my immigration portal, usually how does it take for the process to give some signals that it is still alive? I do have the application number, and after asking a query it seems it was received by them however, I never received the payment bill confirmation


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Naturalisation The time span between e-vetting and the approval email?

2 Upvotes

Hello all,
So long story short, I (f) have already a permanent residency (10 year visa) and applied for the Naturalisation in Feb 2025. I completed the e-vetting in June 2026, but did not hear anything from the naturalisation office. Then through my solicitors we got an update that I am being background checked by other agencies. It is very disheartening, but also it is not clear then how long do I need to wait for this background checks. I was wondering if anyone here had similar experiences, and how long did it take from you completing your e-vetting till you received your approval email?
Cheers!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Naturalisation 6 months since application, heard nothing yet?

0 Upvotes

Hi,

I applied early April this year, got an application acknowledgement the same day and haven't heard anything since. Going through several timeline posts on here and facebook groups I gather this doesn't necessarily mean anything, although some people did hear about either additional documents or evetting within the 6 month mark.

Does anyone know who / via what email address they would contact you for either of those purposes? I get a million emails a day and am terrified of missing them!

thanks


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Naturalisation Naturalisation

0 Upvotes

I got offered a new job. Now I went to the ceremony on the 18th of September. I have a stamp 4 I’ve explained legally I’m a citizen cause I went to the ceremony etc. now I’m just waiting on the certificate which takes 6 weeks from ceremony which the minister of justice said. Now they want me to get the department of justice to get email me when will I get the certificate but we all know they are the worst for replying. If tho I said it’s 6 weeks, I even sent the invitation to the ceremony. Bear in mind I sent my current stamp 4 visa and docs cause they obviously need some sort of verification. I’m supposed to start nexted week, and worried they might pull out cause they’re scared or stupid I dunno What do I do?


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Permits and Visas Stamp 4 eu treaty de facto

0 Upvotes

Good morning, everyone! I applied for an EU Treaty visa as a de facto partner. On October 2, I received a notification on the portal saying I had a message, but when I logged in, there was nothing there. I submitted a query immediately but haven’t received any response.

I contacted SOLVIT, and they informed me that Immigration said an acknowledgment letter had been sent to my physical address, but I still haven’t received it. Has anyone experienced this before? Is this normal? I’d appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 2d ago

Foreign Birth Registration FBR Approval: Finally after 1.5 years!

15 Upvotes

Application created: 3/23/25

Application received: 5/9/25

Additional documents requested: 3/10/26

Approval: 9/30/26

I never actually got an email. I messaged support on live chat this morning and they told me I was approved 2 weeks ago but the email didn't go through. Waiting on docs now. So excited!


r/IrishCitizenship • • 1d ago

Success Story Advise on FBR for trans applicants

0 Upvotes

Hi,

My partner received her FBR certificate in late September after applying in end of June 2026 (additional documents requested). She had no GRC but legal name change and change of gender on uk passport.

It appears they don’t accept deed poll only, they also require an ID in old name by sounds of it which we luckily had and submitted and it was approved 3-4 weeks later.

Once you get your certificate you’ll be able to apply for a PPS number for a GRC. Ireland gov department has emailed us to confirm they can accept both PPS and GRC form at same time and leave PPS blank and they’ll process it still. Still awaiting PPS number and GRC.