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UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE
The U.K. and Ireland have committed that post-Brexit
these rights will continue to be enjoyed with the greatest of
protections and fewest of bureaucratic barriers. Importantly,
this position is regardless of the terms of any Withdrawal
Agreement that is, or quite possibly is not, concluded before
the Brexit deadline.
Following Britain’s exit from the EU, Irish citizens will find
themselves in a particularly special and advantageous
position. They will be the only citizens in the world who will
enjoy freedom of movement throughout all 30 member
states of the EU/ EEA and free movement within the U.K.
Membership of this unique club is rather exclusive and, if you
can’t establish a qualifying ancestral link, Irish citizenship
is generally earned through connection to the country and
actual residence - most commonly for a minimum of five
years. For anyone who desires Irish citizenship, the first
step is to secure a right to reside in Ireland. Once you have
completed your five years residence (which can be spread
over nine years), and have generally stayed out of trouble, in
most cases you can apply to secure an Irish passport and
gain quality access to Ireland, the EU/EEA and the UK.
SECURING A RIGHT TO RESIDE IN IRELAND
The Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) was introduced in
2012 to attract Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland. The
IIP is a residency-by-investment program where high net
worth non-EEA nationals and their family members may
apply to reside in Ireland on very favorable and flexible terms
subject to making a significant commercial or charitable
investment in the state. There are presently four investment
streams available to non-EEA national applicants:
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