If you are a retired non-EEA national, interested in relocating to Ireland for the later years of your life, the Stamp 0 immigration permission might be a suitable option for you.
Stamp 0 is an immigration permission which allows you to reside in the State, subject to meeting certain conditions. It does not permit you to work or engage in any kind of economic activity in the State.
In order to be eligible to apply for Stamp 0, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources and can meet the designated financial thresholds which must be evidenced by submitting a financial report from a registered Irish accountant. Alternatively, if you have a son or daughter who are legally resident in the State and are willing to sponsor you, they must be able to demonstrate that they earn a certain level of income to enable them to support you financially. In both cases, the Department of Justice must be satisfied that you will not become a financial burden on State resources.
Once your application is submitted, the Department of Justice are currently taking up to four months to process applications. If your application is approved, and you are from a visa-required country, you will then have 30 days in which to apply for your long-stay visa to enable you to enter Ireland. However, if is necessary, the Department may extend this 30 day window depending on your particular circumstances.
Your Stamp 0 permission will be granted for a period of 12 months and can be renewed each year for an additional 12 months, provided you meet the conditions of your permission.
Residence in Ireland while on Stamp 0 can also be counted as reckonable residence for citizenship, provided you meet all of the other various conditions, which among others, include residing in Ireland for at least 5 out of the last 9 years.
If you would like to know more about the Stamp 0 application process, please get in touch at info@mcgrathmullan.ie or call us at 01 873 5012 and we can arrange a consultation to discuss your options.