Citizenship timeline tracker.

[immigrant123]

Just want to share my timelines of my citizenship application.

- Applied in March 2006 on basis of living & working for 5 years
- Was aked for P21, Payslip and Bank statements in begining of Sep 08 and submitted immediately.

Called INIS yesterday and few times before and was told that they are waiting for the report from Gaurds. According to the lady the report was requested on 4th of Sep. Its almost 5 months now and should get it any time soon.

[IrelandHopeful]

Reading the posts on this forum I get the distinct impression that there is a prevailing "entitlement attitude".

Do you listen to your self or think twice before writing in this forum at all? Where did you get that impression from? This forum primarily brings people together to share their experiences, learn from and help each other. So what is your angle?

Please remember that naturalisation is a privilege and not a right.

So should applicants be degraded and dehumanized because of this?

There are guidelines and criteria for the requirements for an application to be considered, however, fulfilling the criteria does not automatically confer any rights on the applicant.

So why are these guidelines and criteria published if they are not sufficient or exhaustive for the purpose they are meant for?

The State, rightly, investigates each individual application and takes the time necessary to verify the content of the application, if that process takes 3 years, to be it.

Perharps you can add 2 extra digits to that number, say 300 years...

The State has limited resources and in the present climate there is no economic justification for increasing the staffing levels at the DOJ.

This present climate was not there before. Besides there is no relationship between the economic climate and workers doing there job at the right time, and properly too...

If you rembember that citizenship is a privilege that has to be earned you will have more respect for it when (if) it is granted.

So perharps those whose applications were processed on time will have less respect for the citizenship granted to them...

Finally, I will close with the below response to your previous posts on another forum (remember to always think before you write or even talk)

How much clearer does it have to be made to you. You knew the rules when you were given the stamp, the situation will not change.

Vikingdub: Relax the kaks man. There's no need to be so belligerent or rude in your messages to Exchange. Give her info back but there's no need for that attitude.

[IrelandHopeful]

I prayed before calling them (believe me, it has come to that... ).

I asked the usual question 'for the status of my application'.

I was told the same old story 'still waiting for Garda clearance'.

Then I informed her that I applied in Jan 2005, all additional documents requested of me (i.e. bank stats, P21, payslips, birth & marriage affidavits) were promptly submitted.

I then went a step further and said that I had been informed since over a year ago, that my application was awaiting Garda clearance before going to the minister. I then went further again, 'this surely can't take 12 months'.

So she said, that's true, it doesn't take that long...'your application is being handled in the Dublin office'... 'hold on the phone while I check your files'

Now, my people, hold your breathe a moment...

The lady said 'IT APPEARS THAT THE GARDA CLEARANCE ACTUALLY CAME IN BUT A NEW ONE WAS REQUESTED BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME OUTDATED'

Now, now, I found that very confusing. I asked her what she meant by 'outdated'? And she said it was dated over 12 months ago.

I felt like crying. I told her this is the same document that held up my application and it was with them for over 12 months ...

And she apologised and said someone will call me...

she said someone will call you from DOJ. did anyone actually call you back? did they solve the issue for you?

No one called me back.

They are probably too busy drinking gallons of tea / coffee, going for smoke breaks and waiting patiently for another 12 months for an 'indated' garda clearance to become 'outdated' again.

All these activities fall under the legit remark "citizenship by naturalization is granted as a priviledge and not a right"

[EireIreland]

I am not sure why complaining about INIS work.

First you can not compare Ireland with Australia, New Zealand - they are immigration countries with points system including IELTS tests. You have to pay before you enter the country and have to prove that you have enough funds for first year. You did not need that in Ireland.

Why focusing on INIS work? Look what is the case in the hospitals, waiting time for beds. Or remember last year's fiasco with driving tests? It is the way everything is done in Ireland.

I personally do not complain on these items from several reasons. I choose Ireland as I got work here. I accept the country and people as they are, not to be changed by my standards or expectations. Rules are changed by INIS as they go, and that is fact. But then, everyone here on this forum had 5 years to realize do they like staying in Ireland or not with all its strengths and weaknesses. It was our decision to apply for naturalization - INIS did not force us to do it. If we did not like it we would move out.

The good thing from positive side is that INIS are moving applications much faster now then ever. Just remind yourself how long you would wait at Immigration for green card in 2001 in Harcourt street and these days for renewal or registration? Same for visa - much smoother now.

So keep positive attitude and wait for the magic INIS approval any day now.

Cheers,
EireIreland

[mktsoi]

look, i think most of the people will agree with you about the privilege part and it is not entitlement for all the applicants when they apply for naturalization in ireland. you see, here is something different between ireland and the rest of the english speaking countries has large amount of immigrants. canada, us, australia and nz, they all give out permanent residency first to immigrant before citizenship. at least while the immigrant waiting for the citizenship application decision, they wont be worry about being kick out from the country if they ever loss their job or something.

This is not true, at least in relation of the US - my friend lives there for 12 years (6 studing, 6 working) - he is still waiting for Green Card . If he loses his job now (which is very much probable in the next few months) he has to leave the country immediately. There is no transparency in the Green Card processing at all (unlike Ireland where you can at least call support number and get some notification of your status). Through lawyers he was promised GC to be issued in March of last year, then in November. Now lawyers even don't give any timeframe indications.
Have another friend who had to leave the US last year after 6 years of working there.

i dont know, i could be wrong here. in states is little bit different than ireland, but correct me please if i am wrong about this. as far as i know, in us the A, the green card application is up the the employer and not the employee him/herslf. so if the employer doesnt want to put in the green card application for you, there is nothing you can do about it unless you won the green card lotto or married to american.

it is different situation in ireland. like i said, it is how they treat people. if it is 5 years, than after 5 years they should tell people yes or no within a reasonable time frame. why dont they just tell people to wait for 8 years instead. at least it will give INIS more time to process application already in their hand, isnt it? look, i think most of the people would agree with me here in this forum, if INIS charge more money to process the citizenship or LTR application, and reduce the waiting time to reasonable. you think people would object to it?

i must agreed to some of the people in this forum mentioned that it is a privilege plus checks has to be carry out. no doubt about it. but it is not like right if the immigrants have to suffer even when they contributed to the society already and obey the law along. just think about it. you think the immigrants are the only has to gain from granting irish citizenship? irish society would be benefit from it as well, isnt it?

[Heybabyy]

I am not sure why complaining about INIS work.

First you can not compare Ireland with Australia, New Zealand - they are immigration countries with points system including IELTS tests. You have to pay before you enter the country and have to prove that you have enough funds for first year. You did not need that in Ireland.

Why focusing on INIS work? Look what is the case in the hospitals, waiting time for beds. Or remember last year's fiasco with driving tests? It is the way everything is done in Ireland.

I personally do not complain on these items from several reasons. I choose Ireland as I got work here. I accept the country and people as they are, not to be changed by my standards or expectations. Rules are changed by INIS as they go, and that is fact. But then, everyone here on this forum had 5 years to realize do they like staying in Ireland or not with all its strengths and weaknesses. It was our decision to apply for naturalization - INIS did not force us to do it. If we did not like it we would move out.

The good thing from positive side is that INIS are moving applications much faster now then ever. Just remind yourself how long you would wait at Immigration for green card in 2001 in Harcourt street and these days for renewal or registration? Same for visa - much smoother now.

So keep positive attitude and wait for the magic INIS approval any day now.

Cheers,
EireIreland

It is not correct to say that all public sectors are slow and therefore we must not blame INIS. Why go only 8 yrs back to Harcourt days? Just go 30 yrs back when there was a drought, everyone ate potatoes and left to US in crude ships. The country's economy is pear shaped just because irish lived in false complacent world during celtic era.

About migrating to Ireland - Me alongwith other asians are high skilled people - Doctors, Nurses and IT. We were invited to Ireland because this country has lack of people with specialised skills. Just visit any hospital and you will realise this. The department of education visits south asia to encourage students to pursue study here. Majority of asians have done masters level education (taught in English medium) so IELTS would have been a cake walk but Irish govt never asked for it. Majority of us have paid taxes, have not claimed a single euro in SW benefits and committed no public offence. What we are asking is proper communication and appropriate response time from INIS. People would even pay 5K if INIS promise to process the applications in 6 months (like UK). This would generate more revenue to govt as well.

Lastly Ireland wasn't my first choice but somehow the circumstance happened and unfortunately I landed/stuck here. Yes, I will move out only after getting the red book (in return for all my tax money and hard work)

[Dublin1]

Any news after calling INIS today ?

My update they asked me for name clarifcations !!!

[tiggs]

automated message is saying currently processing July 2006 applications, where as i know people for 2007 had their certs sent already.
Regards
tiggs

[tiggs]

Finally got a very responsive and nice lady on phone, she explained end of this month they should have garda report. And mentioned Garda reports from countryside ( i live far away from Dublin) take longer(4-6 months). Which is strange... anyhow..told me to wait for few more weeks. Request for Garda report was sent in Aug 08 and should be back soon...

Lets see
Regards
Tiggs

[Vikingdub]

Thank you all for your reponses to my posting - I plan to read each carefully and to post a reply to all of the issues raised in the coming days.

[nanette]

Hi,

I phoned today too and got a nice lady on the phone.

I applied in 2007 based on residency (work permits/Working Visa in IT).

The Lady told me that my application was being looked at, at this moment and that I should be getting a mail in about a month or so requesting addionnal infos.

Glad to know, something is being done and that change I can believe in. This is in Tipperary.

Nanette

[Dublin1]

Thank you all for your reponses to my posting - I plan to read each carefully and to post a reply to all of the issues raised in the coming days.

I have 1 question for you ?

Do u work for INIS ? or r u an applicant for citzenship ?

[Heybabyy]

I was about to ask same question from VikingDub. The old posts suggest that he is just advising people rather than discussing own application. I don't think he has even applied. He does look INIS employee who is trying to misguide us and preach DoJ principles. Just ignore him guys.

[Fionn]

Haha..He's probably the guy who many of you mentioned already..the one who is always very rude when he picks up the phone at INIS..

Or he's just someone who needs to get a life..Why would you bother logging into a forum if you're not even concerned by the subject...It's like any of us logging on a forum for @French naturalisation@ and starting making smart comments...

Some people just have nothing to do in life...

[Fionn]

EireIreland: you're totally right..

And..People who are just getting the passport in order to leave the country should be ashamed of theirselves. I hope they will be persued by the DOJ for doing that..But that probably won't happen..Unfortunately not..

It's somehow frustrting to have to wait for natur, but it's even more frustrating when you know that the people whose applications will be processed before yours, are actually not going to stay in the country.

[robin_hood]

I phoned INIS today to check on my application.

Applied - January 2006
Ref Number - 68/4xx/06
Additional info requested - July 2008
Submitted and received by INIS - 22/08/2008
Current Status - waiting on Garda clearance, which was requested at the end of August 2008.

I asked if there was any other information they were waiting for - the lady said "no".

[IrelandHopeful]

Haha..He's probably the guy who many of you mentioned already..the one who is always very rude when he picks up the phone at INIS..

Or he's just someone who needs to get a life..Why would you bother logging into a forum if you're not even concerned by the subject...It's like any of us logging on a forum for @French naturalisation@ and starting making smart comments...

Some people just have nothing to do in life...

@ Fionn:
I agree with you.

He's just a sadistic so and so. Most probably getting a kick from reading posts in this forum about the frustrations of applicants.

Thank you all for your reponses to my posting - I plan to read each carefully and to post a reply to all of the issues raised in the coming days.

@ Vikingdub:

Don't forget to include 'think carefully' in your plan before posting any reply. I will like to engage you in a debate and we'll all see if you are anywhere as good as any of us, except for the fact that you are Irish and we are wannabes.

What people like you fail to realise and accept is that your economic future lies in our hands. Just look at the demographic features of the Irish and look at the active procreativity of the 'wannabes'.

Look all around the developed world and find out what the ratio of economically active native citizens is to naturalised citizens (even through several generations).

Our children will pay for your pensions in future. Our children will determine the economic power and development of Ireland in the future.

Meanwhile, since us wannabes have already been contributing our share to the economy of this country, we have sit tight and wait decades while you throw at us 'it's a priviledge and not a right ... blah blah'

[sat]

Interesting:
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/lette ... 11806.html

whose gona help the legal immigrants in Ireland. Paying taxes and waiting patiently n hearing lame excuses.. And the person in article is MEP.. interesting. ..

[Dublin1]

I phoned INIS today to check on my application.

Applied - January 2006
Ref Number - 68/4xx/06
Additional info requested - July 2008
Submitted and received by INIS - 22/08/2008
Current Status - waiting on Garda clearance, which was requested at the end of August 2008.

I asked if there was any other information they were waiting for - the lady said "no".

They always say the garda clearance process takes 6 month, so the question here if the report didn't come up by the 6th month ? What will the INIS guys will do ? Like any proper follow up ?

[mktsoi]

I phoned INIS today to check on my application.

Applied - January 2006
Ref Number - 68/4xx/06
Additional info requested - July 2008
Submitted and received by INIS - 22/08/2008
Current Status - waiting on Garda clearance, which was requested at the end of August 2008.

I asked if there was any other information they were waiting for - the lady said "no".

They always say the garda clearance process takes 6 month, so the question here if the report didn't come up by the 6th month ? What will the INIS guys will do ? Like any proper follow up ?

didnt you read it in this forum here, someone been told the garda report was requested for his application. after the inis got it, the inis waited for too long (usually by international standard.). the garda report was out of date after one year from the date of issue! so he/she has been told that inis will request the garda report again lolololol. may be vikingdub can make a comment on this one hehehehe

[Dublin1]

well the 6 month is the reply u get when u call INIS, so if ur request exceeds the 6 month, then it is fair to ask them to do a follow up.

[Heybabyy]

VikingDub worked hard from 10-12.30 on thursday to reply to all your phone calls asking INIS about application status. Even after drinking ample cups of tea/coffee with his colleagues for rest of the afternoon, the tiredness remains. The govt announcement of placing levy on pension for civil servants is cited as another cause for the tiredness and headache. Due to this, he may not be able to fulfil the promise made earlier "I plan to read each carefully and to post a reply to all of the issues raised in the coming days." You may have to wait for 6 months before you hear back.

[Southern_Sky]

I been told in Belguim u can apply after 3 years.

Indeed 'Dublin1'...you are correct it is just 3 years. Impressively your application goes through the Commission on Naturalisation, then approval is sort in the Lower House of Parliament, and finally the King ratifies the approved request and the naturalisation will be published in the Belgian State Gazette. Very Official & Publicised ! http://www.expatica.com/be/essentials_m ... 32157.html

[IrelandHopeful]

Interesting:
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/lette ... 11806.html

whose gona help the legal immigrants in Ireland. Paying taxes and waiting patiently n hearing lame excuses.. And the person in article is MEP.. interesting. ..

At least we are legal and documented immigrants. Ireland should remove the log of wood in their own eyes before telling Obama to remove the dot from America's eyes.

I have done a copy and paste from the weblink so that everyone can see it. It is from the Independent newspaper.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/lette ... 11806.html

Illegal Irish need Obama’s help

Friday January 23 2009

PRESIDENT Obama must bring forward initiatives to help to legalise the undocumented and illegal Irish in America. We know that there may be as many as 50,000 undocumented and illegal Irish people living in America at present.
Many of these people have lived in America for a long number of years.

The illegal and undocumented Irish cannot leave America to visit sick parents or family members in Ireland, they cannot come home to Ireland for weddings, funerals or family occasions.

Many Irish grandparents have never met their grandchildren. The illegal Irish in America cannot even obtain a driving licence because they cannot produce a social security number.

I know of a personal case of an Irishman who has been living on the east coast of America for the past 15 years. He is working as a painter, he is married and he has three young children. He lives in fear that he will be deported. This is an unacceptable situation.

We are now all living in changed circumstances. With the very difficult economic times in Ireland, we are going to have to address this political issue of the undocumented Irish in America with a renewed spirit of determination and purpose. Irish people have been helped before in America via the Donnelly and Morrison laws.

But we need the political assistance of President Obama now, more than ever.

Sean O Neachtain MEP
AN Spideal, County Galway

[IrelandHopeful]

VikingDub worked hard from 10-12.30 on thursday to reply to all your phone calls asking INIS about application status. Even after drinking ample cups of tea/coffee with his colleagues for rest of the afternoon, the tiredness remains. The govt announcement of placing levy on pension for civil servants is cited as another cause for the tiredness and headache. Due to this, he may not be able to fulfil the promise made earlier "I plan to read each carefully and to post a reply to all of the issues raised in the coming days." You may have to wait for 6 months before you hear back.

Perharps he's backed off and run away after the 'boo...get lost' responses he got to his stupid posts?? scared cat. We don't need people like him here anyway. Good riddance to bad rubbish