Over the festive period we have received a large number of requests from users about their partners and their rights for naturalisation when the users return home to Ireland in 2017 to take up employment .

This is an important issue for many potential returnees and will impact on the key decision to return home for good.

The current position is that a spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen may apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation after 3 years of marriage/civil partnership plus 3 years residence on the island of Ireland .

However if you are of Irish association the Minister for Justice & Equality has absolute discretion to wave the conditions of naturalisation ,Irish Association means being related by blood, affinity or adoption to an Irish citizen.

If you want to apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation you need to download the relevant application form which includes application guidance .

For more information on the application process please visit www.inis.gov.ie