Question:
How can I stay in Ireland for six months as a U.S. citizen?
2013-04-23 09:41:51 UTC
My boyfriend is eligible for a one year visa in Ireland, and I'm not. I'm considering going to Ireland for six months while he's there, though, and am looking for ways to do it. I'm a U.S. citizen with sufficient funds to support myself during my stay.

I've looked into visas, and I understand I don't need a visa to enter the country, but I can only stay for 90 days. As far as I've seen, there are no extended visas offered for U.S. citizens in Ireland. I'm currently looking into "permission to remain" which you can apply for once you enter Ireland, and applying for that under the "self-sufficient" category. Technically, it looks like I meet all the requirements to be granted this, but I'm not sure how likely it is that they'll give it to me. I e-mailed the Irish government, and they were very brief in saying I could only stay for 90 days, and did not elaborate or address permission to remain. Does anyone know more about this, or a way for me to legally stay in Ireland for six months?

Also, while I have sufficient funds to support myself, I'm also a freelancer. I would be able to work online in Ireland for a U.S. company, but if that's not permitted by the Irish government I could refuse further contracts. Does anyone know about this type of employment while living abroad, and whether it's legal?

Any help or advice anyone has would be appreciated. I'm just trying to legally stay in Ireland for six months, and it would be an added bonus if I could continue working my remote jobs. Thanks!
Three answers:
Gerd P
2013-04-23 10:02:49 UTC
The only way to stay in Ireland beyond the 90 days is to apply for a Working Holiday Visa should you meet the requirements.



On 24 September 2008, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., signed a major new agreement with the US Government that will enable Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's countries for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the vibrancy of the modern economic and commercial relationship between our countries.



In order to qualify for the programme participants should be either in post-secondary education or have recently graduated (ie within the last 12 months).



This new programme will not affect the operation of the highly successful Student Work and Travel programme which permits students from the US and Ireland to work and travel for several months every summer. This J1 programme will continue to exist as a separate, more limited programme.



HOW TO APPLY?



US citizens



US citizens wishing to travel to Ireland under the terms of the agreement should make an application for a US Working Holiday Authorisation at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington or the Consulates General of Ireland in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.



A completed and signed application form (PDF 35kb) should be presented at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, or at the Irish Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, New York or San Francisco together with:



• Valid United States passport;

• 2 recent identical passport photographs with your name on the reverse;

• Current curriculum vitae (with references);

• Original bank statement showing that you have access to €1,500 (or equivalent) plus a return ticket; or €3,000 (or equivalent);

• Originals of any qualifications obtained or letter from school/college/university (where applicable)

• The relevant fee of €250 or dollar equivalent as advised by the relevant Mission;

Once the Embassy or Consulate General is satisfied with the documentation above, the application will be approved in principle and the applicant notified. The Working Holiday Authorisation will be issued on submission by the applicant of:

• Return airline tickets;

• Certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip (based on dates on tickets)

• Valid United States passport that is valid for the entirety of the trip to Ireland ie for a full year after their ticketed date of entry.



Source(s):

http://www.embassyofireland.org/uploads/documents/Embassy/Washington%20EM/consular%20districts%20in%20the%20us.pdf ..

http://www.dfa.ie/uploads/documents/Consular/09_01%20us%20working%20holiday%20authorisation%20application%20form.pdf ..
Michael
2014-01-31 12:00:31 UTC
I'm curious if you found a way to make the trip work, I'm currently in a very similar situation now as you were 9 months ago.
2016-03-11 05:04:07 UTC
ehh not really because i live here but im not irish and it gets boring because nothing to do much here but lots of HOT girls who will just kiss you for no reason they'll just come up to you and ask you to meet them by meet they mean kiss.......... not much facilities but its ok people are friendly but stay away from knackers there like gangsters but gangsters are well worse by far knackers dont have guns they just mock you thats it and if your gonna go here good luck and you need a visa this country is probably reall safe no mean and criminals mostly drunk people but they dont mind you GOOD LUCK!!


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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