If you have moved to Ireland or are planning on making the move, then you might be interested in obtaining a long term residence permit if you intend on making Ireland your permanent residence. If you are not yet a legal resident of Ireland, then you will not be able to apply for a long term residence permit. Current Irish laws allow for the granting of a long term residence permit only to someone that has been legally residing in Ireland for the specified period of time. So, if you are just planning your move, then you will want to make yourself aware of the information in regard to obtaining the long term residence permit so that you will be ready to submit your application as soon as you become eligible to do so.
The way that the law reads now, anyone that has been a legal resident of Ireland for a period of more than five years is eligible for a residence stamp. A residence stamp entitles you to remain in Ireland for an additional five years. If you have been a legal resident of Ireland for a period greater than ten years, then you get a residence stamp that enables you to reside in the country indefinitely. The residence stamp does not exempt you from the requirement of maintaining a valid work permit, business permission and visas, and from keep your Green Book current.
If you are a holder of a work authorization, then your spouse and children can join you as soon as you begin working. And if you have a working visa, then your spouse and children can join you after you have been in Ireland for one year. You should know that you will be required to be able to support them all without them working, unless they have a work permit or work authorization.
It is worth noting that there are no rules that allow fiancés to come over with you as a dependent.
Parents or dependent of Irish citizens or non Irish citizens that have been legal residents of Ireland for a period greater than 5 years and are financially independent can apply for permission to reside in Ireland as visitors for a 5 year period. However, if they have already been a legal resident for a period greater than 5 years, then they can apply for a residence stamp to allow them to remain in Ireland indefinitely.
Spouses of Irish citizens are able to apply for permission to reside in Ireland legally for up to 5 years. After that period, they can of course apply for the stamp to remain indefinitely.
