Ireland Opens Residency Applications for Citizenship Pathway

Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has announced a new residency route that may lead to Irish citizenship. Applications are open until 30 March 2027.

This scheme, first published on 26 May 2026 and updated on 9 October 2026, grants successful applicants a Stamp 4 immigration permission for an initial period of up to two years, which can be renewed in two-year intervals. Time spent under this permission counts towards the naturalisation process.

To be eligible, applicants must have lived in Ireland as beneficiaries of temporary protection for at least one year on or before 30 September 2026 and must not rely on state-supported accommodation at the time of application. The permission covers the entire family unit, but each member must submit an individual application.

The Irish government stated that those already approved under the scheme will remain unaffected if the EU's Temporary Protection Directive ends. For applicants awaiting a decision when temporary protection expires, rights may be extended under Article 21 of the Directive.