Have Green Card Permit - Can I bring 19 year old child?

[sbfay]

Hello. I'm brand new here, and hoping someone can help me out.

I am a U.S. citizen, and have just received word today that my Green Card Permit has been approved, so we're ready to move to Ireland (Co. Westmeath). We're planning on staying very long-term, and I'd foresee us applying for Irish Citizenship after our first two years.

BUT

I have two daughters - one is 16, one is 19. The 19 year old isn't currently going to school/college/university, but she'd like to.

I know my 16 year old can come along, since she's a minor, but there's no WAY we'll just leave our 19 year old here in the States. Does anyone have suggestions on what options we may have to bring her with us?

My original thought was we could have her come over for 3 months, then come back the States for a couple of weeks to visit Grandma, then back to Ireland to stay with us for another 3 months. But I just read somewhere that she has to be out of Ireland for 3 months before she can come back for 3 more months. Is that true? That won't work for us!

We could enroll her in college, but she'd definitely want to stay close to us and live with us. I suppose she could overstay her 3 months (visitors visa)? She'll probably have marriage proposals as soon as we land in Ireland! hehe.

I'm pretty desperate, as I LOVE the job I've been offered and really don't want to pass it up, and we LOVE Ireland - and have been there several times. I'd sure appreciate any feedback. If you have some suggestions you'd prefer to keep quiet, please feel free to send me a private message.

Thanks so much!

[agniukas]

First of all, you can only apply for citizenship after 5 years in ireland. unless your husband is irish and then you can apply after 3 years of marriage, 2 of which are in ireland.
i believe that both of your daughters can stay with you in ireland as your dependants. they would get permission on stamp 3 (dependants) or stamp 2 (student), depending on situation.
once you all arrive in ireland say to the immigration officer at the airport, that all the family is relocating to ireland, provide your green card permit, and you will be issued with permission to remain for initial 3 months. during this time you have to register with GNIB and your permission can be extended then for a period of up to 2 years. same applies to your children.

[sbfay]

Wow, thanks for all of the great information! I thought for sure we were sunk! If after we move there, my 19 year old wants to go to college in Ireland, do you or anyone know if she can just sign up or what kind of process she would have to go through? Would she apply for a Student Visa or since would be there under stamp 3, could she just go to college without the Student Visa? I'm assuming she can't work legally, with a stamp 3?

Thanks again!!! WOOHOO!
Steve

[agniukas]

She cannot work with stamp 3. However, depending on the college / university, she may get stamp 2 and be allowed to work 20h per week.
Just to rememeber, that stamp 2 does not count towards Long term residency or citizenship (if you were considering those options).
some college accept students with stamp3. so it just depends on the situation.

[sbfay]

Thanks again so much! Fantastic information!

I can call the college she's interested in, to find out more. I suppose it's even possible that she'd get married over there to an Irishman. Maybe she can get her residency/citizenship that way, if that were to happen?

I'd like to think that this will be a permanent move for my myself, my wife, and the 19 and 16 year old. We've been to Ireland MANY times and tried to make this move happen when our kids were younger. I also have a 22 and 24 year old, but the 24 year old son will be staying in the States, as he has a good job and the 22 year old girl will likely be staying, as she wants to finish school here in the States.

Sure is a lot to consider... whew!

[agniukas]

You are welcome. and best of luck