Immigration
The Gardaí and immigration
The Garda Síochána enforces immigration laws in places such as ports and airports. The Garda National Immigration. Bureau carries out deportations, border control and investigations relating to illegal immigration and human trafficking.
EU nationals are entitled to come to Ireland to take up employment or self-employment. They do not need an employment permit.
Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania who come to Ireland must have an employment permit for a continuous period of 12 months. After that, they do not need an employment permit to work in Ireland.
Nationals from the other countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), that is, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need employment permits to work in Ireland.
Citizens of many countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) need an entry visa to enter the Republic of Ireland. If you need an entry visa, when you are entering the country you must report to an immigration officer. Non-EEA nationals must register with the local immigration officer following arrival in Ireland.
An immigration officer will examine your documents when you arrive in Ireland. They may ask you to show you have enough funds(money) to support yourself for the time of your stay. You must satisfy the immigration officer that you have a genuine reason for your presence in Ireland. You must also report any changes to the length of your stay or status to immigration officers.
GNIB card Following registration with immigration officers, you will be given an ‘Immigration certificate of Registration’. It is also called a ‘GNIB’ card and shows your immigration status in the country. To renew your GNIB card, make an appointment with your local immigration officer at the Garda Station. The Refugee Applications Commissioner provides asylum seekers with temporary residence certificates.
Power to search
A Garda may, in certain clearly defined circumstances, search you on the street or at a Garda station. The Garda must explain on what legal basis they are searching you. Always carry an identity document with you.
Becoming a citizen
Irish citizenship is obtained in different ways. Most Irish citizens get their citizenship through birth or descent. Foreign nationals can apply to become Irish citizens through naturalisation. If you are a foreign national who is either married to an Irish citizen or a civil partner of an Irish citizen, you can apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation. The residence requirements are more favourable for the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen but there is no longer an absolute entitlement to Irish citizenship through marriage.
For more information on becoming an Irish citizen go to:
Visa Information
Citizens of certain countries require a visa to travel to Ireland. Applicants should note that all non-EU citizens, whether visa-required or not, will be subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry. An Irish visa is not an entry permission in itself but is rather a document giving permission to present at a port of entry to seek admission to the State. Bearing a visa may not be sufficient to gain entry to the State if the Immigration Officer at the port of entry, who takes the actual decision as to whether to permit entry, reasonably forms the view that entry should be refused. Visitors are therefore advised to have in their possession information as to accommodation bookings, return flights, contact persons in Ireland etc in case this information is requested by an Immigration Officer.
For more information on visa requirements for Ireland go to
The Gardaí and immigration
The Garda Síochána enforces immigration laws in places such as ports and airports. The Garda National Immigration. Bureau carries out deportations, border control and investigations relating to illegal immigration and human trafficking.
EU nationals are entitled to come to Ireland to take up employment or self-employment. They do not need an employment permit.
Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania who come to Ireland must have an employment permit for a continuous period of 12 months. After that, they do not need an employment permit to work in Ireland.
Nationals from the other countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), that is, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need employment permits to work in Ireland.
Citizens of many countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) need an entry visa to enter the Republic of Ireland. If you need an entry visa, when you are entering the country you must report to an immigration officer. Non-EEA nationals must register with the local immigration officer following arrival in Ireland.
An immigration officer will examine your documents when you arrive in Ireland. They may ask you to show you have enough funds(money) to support yourself for the time of your stay. You must satisfy the immigration officer that you have a genuine reason for your presence in Ireland. You must also report any changes to the length of your stay or status to immigration officers.
GNIB card Following registration with immigration officers, you will be given an ‘Immigration certificate of Registration’. It is also called a ‘GNIB’ card and shows your immigration status in the country. To renew your GNIB card, make an appointment with your local immigration officer at the Garda Station. The Refugee Applications Commissioner provides asylum seekers with temporary residence certificates.
Power to search
A Garda may, in certain clearly defined circumstances, search you on the street or at a Garda station. The Garda must explain on what legal basis they are searching you. Always carry an identity document with you.
Becoming a citizen
Irish citizenship is obtained in different ways. Most Irish citizens get their citizenship through birth or descent. Foreign nationals can apply to become Irish citizens through naturalisation. If you are a foreign national who is either married to an Irish citizen or a civil partner of an Irish citizen, you can apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation. The residence requirements are more favourable for the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen but there is no longer an absolute entitlement to Irish citizenship through marriage.
For more information on becoming an Irish citizen go to:
Visa Information
Citizens of certain countries require a visa to travel to Ireland. Applicants should note that all non-EU citizens, whether visa-required or not, will be subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry. An Irish visa is not an entry permission in itself but is rather a document giving permission to present at a port of entry to seek admission to the State. Bearing a visa may not be sufficient to gain entry to the State if the Immigration Officer at the port of entry, who takes the actual decision as to whether to permit entry, reasonably forms the view that entry should be refused. Visitors are therefore advised to have in their possession information as to accommodation bookings, return flights, contact persons in Ireland etc in case this information is requested by an Immigration Officer.
For more information on visa requirements for Ireland go to