5 things to watch out for if you want to immigrate to Ireland

‘Emerald Isle’ of 4.98 million people – home to rock group U2 and actors Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson – now attracts growing number of would-be residents

High standard of living, health and education in European Union member state seen as advantages over some neighbouring countries on continent

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The freshwater lake, Derryclare Lough, and Connemara mountains in western Ireland, the European nation of 4.98 million people known as ‘the Emerald Isle’, which is increasingly attracting immigrants. Photo: Shutterstock

Brian YeungandGuy Haydon

Published: 7:00am, 12 Nov 2020Updated: 9:58am, 7 Dec 2020

Almost one in six people in Hong Kong are already preparing to emigrate, according to a study carried out by Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The former British territory’s historical links with the United Kingdom and the special visa scheme for British National (Overseas) or BNO passport holders mean that Hongkongers often consider Britain as a top destination for immigration and investment. One survey shows 23.8 per cent of people chose to emigrate to Britain.

Yet its neighbour across the Irish Sea, Ireland, is gaining increasing attention from would-be immigrants. The nation – still a member of the European Union – is seen as having strategic advantages over the UK and many of its counterparts on the continent, following Britain’s decision to leave the political and economic union of member states, and other geopolitical uncertainties.

These people are considering joining Ireland’s 4.98 million population – 1.42 million of whom live in Dublin, the east-coast capital of the 70,273-square-km (27,133-square-mile) nation, which accounts for five-sixths of the island of Ireland; the rest is taken up by Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. In contrast, Hong Kong, which covers only 1,106 sq km, is home to 7.49 million residents.

Home to 644,400 non-Irish nations …

Elegant properties on Grafton Street, in the centre of Dublin, which is one of the Irish capital’s principal commercial areas. Photo: faithie / Shutterstock

Official statistics from April 2020 reveal an estimated 644,400 non-Irish nationals live in the country – 12.9 per cent of the total population. They also show 85,400 people immigrated to Ireland in the 12 months to April 2020 – up 2,000 on the year before – with 28,900 of them (33.8 per cent) Irish nationals and 30,400 (35.6 per cent) from nations outside the EU.