Is it possible at all for a US Citizen to move to and get a job in Ireland?

Question

Unless you're a citizen of the EU, I understand it's nearly impossible for someone like me, from the US, to move to Ireland, get a regular job and live there. But, is there any way at all, or am I better off winning the lottery and just living off that if I want to live there?

Answer 1

win the lottery. if your grand parents came from Ireland you can get citizenship there.

Answer 2

Please ignore the advice to work in Ireland illegally, this would be foolish and wrong. Nor is it remotely accurate that anyone with an MA or PhD is a shoo-in for EU citizenship. Unless you are of Irish descent you would have to live there as a permanent resident for a certain number of years before applying for citizenship, but do not need citizenship anyway just to live or work there. For what sort of job are you looking? If you found a job while there on a non-work visa your employer would then apply for a work visa for you, but it would be better to have something lined up before flying over. Do you have any contacts? See if there are any organisations in America which help people move to Ireland. There are organisations in Britain which help people wanting to move to North America.

Answer 3

If you Grandparent or Parent was born in Ireland it's a snap. My mother was born in Ireland in 1948, moved to Canada in 1957 and married a Canadian in 1969. I wasn't born until 1983 and applied for my Irish Passport/Citizenship just 4 months ago (2006). All you need to do is contact the Irish consulate in the United States and they will send you an application.

Now it becomes more difficult if you want to move there with no Irish heritage. Firstly, have you been there? You should go on an extended holiday to visit the various regions in Ireland. You may find that you like Galway over Dublin, Cork over Limerick, the North of the South.

If you are a College graduate, you have a legitamate shot of becoming an EU citizen. If you have a masters or Doctorate you are basically a shoe in. Regardless, you can most likely apply for and recieve a one-time one-year work visa to Ireland. Use that and if you supply permanent work relations, the company can help you to request furhtering your stay.

You can also find work illegally under the table working deadend jobs in restaurants and hotels.

You can also get citizenship by marrying a local girl.