Should you hire Irish Immigration Lawyers for your next move to Ireland? Well, here’s everything you need to know! 

Ireland has become an increasingly popular travel destination for people seeking a fresh start, and it’s not hard to see why. From the picture perfect landscape to friendly locals and the famous cup of warm beer, Ireland is a city with so many perks that it feels like home.  

Excellent healthcare system,  robust economy, major industry sectors and a high standard of living is certainly an irresistible package for anyone thinking of moving. However, you would still need to go through an immigration process no matter how badly you wish to pack your bags and book a flight to Ireland. There’s also the issue of housing, high cost of living  and settling into the environment. In this article, we’ll go through the immigration process requirements and the basics of arriving in Ireland. 

Navigating the Ireland Visa Options: When Do You Really Need A Visa? 

If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you surprisingly do not need a visa to work or live in Ireland! However, for non-EEA/EU citizens, here are the visa options to explore for your next move; 

1. Critical Skills Employment Permit 

This is the ideal option for anyone working in a high-demand field like IT, engineering, or healthcare and seeking to move to Ireland. It’s faster with better chances at permanent residency. An added advantage is that your spouse or partner can work without needing their own permit  after 2 years! 

2. General Employment Permit 

If your job doesn’t fall into any of the categories for the Critical Skills permit, this option is perfect for you! But you must understand that the process is a bit longer, and more rigorous compared to the Critical skills permit because your employer would need to prove that they couldn’t find an Irish or EU citizen for the role, hence the need to hire you. 

3. Irish Student Visa 

If your reason for moving to Ireland is study-related, you’ll need a student visa if the course lasts more than three months. The great thing about this visa category is that Ireland permits students to work part-time during their studies and even stay for a while after graduating to look for a job in their field of study. 

4. Family Visa 

Joining a family that already lives in Ireland? The Ireland family visa allows you to join them as long as they are an Irish citizen / EU citizen, or someone with a work permit. The country also offers a visa route for both married and long-term unmarried partners in many cases. 

Important Document Checklist If You Are Moving To Ireland 

• A valid passport with up to 6 months validity 

• Evidence of your relationship with the family member (if applying for a family visa) 

• Genuine documents stating educational qualifications 

• Employment history with previous employer in home country 

• Police clearance certificate stating that you have a clean criminal record 

• Evidence of adequate finances 

A Friendly Guide To Settling In As A New Ireland Immigrant in 2025 

1. HOUSING 

One of the biggest challenges many immigrants have to deal with when they move into Ireland is the issue of housing. Finding a place to live in cities like Dublin can be quite exhausting. From the super expensive rental fees to actually being able to find a vacant rental property can be quite a task. If you are aiming for a decent one bedroom apartment, be sure to budget a range of €2,000-2,500 monthly and if that sounds like a reach for you, you might want to consider other cities like Cork, Galway, or Limerick since they offer more reasonable rates, up to 30-40% lower than Dublin. You can also explore house-sharing to save money and make friends. 

2. HEALTHCARE 

There are two major options of healthcare in Ireland: public and private systems. As long as you’re legally resident, you have the right to a public healthcare system that caters to your healthcare needs during your stay in the country.Either that or you opt for private healthcare insurance ranging from €100-150 per month. Make sure to register with a local GP as soon as you arrive. 

3. TRANSPORTATION 

Finding your way  around Ireland is generally straightforward. The cities have decent public transport you can use to commute to and fro your destination plus the country’s small size is an added advantage too. However, if you would be driving your own car, know that Ireland drives on the left, and you would need to adapt to that and exchange your license or take a driving test. 

4. SOCIAL ETIQUETTES 

The Irish typical approach to time and appointments is more relaxed and laid back to what you are probably used to. Except it’s strictly an official appointment, make sure you are not disturbed by your host’s lateness to a meet up. For example, If someone says “I’ll meet you in five minutes,” mentally prepare yourself that they might get there in 15 minutes or more. Pubs are also their biggest social hubs but you don’t have to feel pressured to drink alcohol if you don’t drink at all. 

OTHER NECESSARY TIPS THAT WILL COME IN HANDY; 

• Register for your PPS number as soon as you settle in 

• Open an Irish bank account for easy withdrawal of your work funds 

• Make sure you get a Leap Card for public transport 

• Register with your embassy 

• Join local Ireland Facebook groups for expats and newcomers. 

• Join local sports clubs and take part in community events 

• Attend local festivals and cultural events or consider joining a local volunteer group 

The Irish have a big sense of  humor so don’t be startled if someone isn’t disturbed by a major inconvenience or tries to throw in a joke in tense situations. Ireland is generally a great country and if several other immigrants ahead of you survived and had a beautiful experience settling in, you are certain to do well too!  

Céad míle fáilte (means a hundred thousand welcomes)!