In 2022, Ireland received 67 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 74% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 38% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 53% labour migrants, 6% family members (including accompanying family) and 3% humanitarian migrants. Around 18 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 800 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 45 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 630% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑3.1%, to reach around 13 000. The majority of applicants came from Nigeria (2 100), Algeria (1 500) and Afghanistan (1 100). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Nigeria (1 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Georgia (‑1 700). Of the 3 850 decisions taken in 2023, 83% were positive.
Emigration of Irish citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑6% in 2022, to 19 000. Approximately 19% of this group migrated to Spain, 13% to Australia and 12% to the Netherlands.
The Employment Permits Bill 2022 was passed in June 2024 and contains several significant labour migration policy changes. Spouses and partners of General Employment and Intra-Corporate Transferee permit holders are now allowed to work without having to obtain a separate work permit, if they are already in Ireland. Current and future permit holders whose spouses or partners are not in Ireland will still need to apply for family reunification after 12 months. Family reunification waiting times are the subject of an ongoing review of the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy.
Work permit holders will be allowed to change jobs once they have accomplished an initial period of 9 months with their employer, instead of 12 months previously, and without having to reapply.
The Bill will also provide for a Seasonal Employment Permit to allow short-term employment permits to cover short-stay and recurrent employment situations in sectors where this type of employment occurs. The labour market test for General Employment Permits (GEPs) was revised. In order to facilitate movements of employees, a more streamlined process for the transfer of employment permits between employers was introduced.
Separately, the list of occupations eligible for employment permits was expanded (11 added to the Critical Skills Occupations List and 32 eligible for a GEP). The Employment Permit application salary requirement for most GEP holders rose to EUR 34 000 (+4 000) in January 2024, that for Critical Skills to EUR 38 000 (+6 000) and that for ICT and Contract for Services to EUR 46 000 (+6 000). A roadmap for future increases was also published. Several occupations eligible for GEP have seen their quotas extended.
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), which was a pathway to residency for non-EEA nationals on the basis of long-term investment, was closed to new applicants in February 2023.
Several requirements for naturalisation were amended in 2023. Applicants will now be allowed more days out of Ireland in the year preceding the application (70 instead of 42; an additional exceptional 30‑day absence may also be allowed). Rules for children born in Ireland to non-Irish parents were also relaxed. Naturalisation applications also moved online.
Further developments in 2024 included changes to entitlements for beneficiaries of temporary protection; Ireland’s opt-in to the non-Schengen measures of the EU Migration Pact; work towards developing a Single Permit Application procedure; and changes to allow spouses of GEPs permission to work.
In March 2024, the government announced a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection applicants. The aim is to address the accommodation shortages, reduce the reliance on private providers and reinforce the power of the State.
Following a rise in hate crimes and far-right-led riots in December 2023, new legislation to strengthen the law on hate speech and to provide for new hate crime offences featured in public debate in the first part of 2024. The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 is currently before the Senate and will update the existing law on incitement to hatred that has been in place since 1989.
For further information: www.irishimmigration.ie | www.ria.gov.ie | www.enterprise.gov.ie
