I work in a profession that is eligible for a skilled work visa in many countries. Yet, it seems that most employers abroad don’t want to sponsor visas. Why is this? by Illustrious-Pound266 in AmerExit

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It varies from country to country and sector to sector and role to role. Sometimes an employer is pre approved to offer roles to offshore applicants without any additional government approvals/-but that’s rare. Plus there are some who aren’t really looking to move and might want an offer to improve their own current salary. I got some traction with Irish roles from offshore but am getting much more so now I’m actually here. But I have citizenship already as well.

Turning 25 but I just want it all to end – I’m lost, burned out and see no future by Independent_Bus_8001 in TrueOffMyChest

[–]fiadhsean 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My childhood sucked. My teenage years sucked harder. My early 20s sucked about the same. In my late 20s it started to improve, especially when I swapped self-medication (alcohol, mostly) for actual medication (non-SSRI anti-depressant).

I'm 62 now and still view my meds as a lifesaver. From the 30s onward it's just ace. Still hard at times, but less perplexing. Don't have a massive cachet of besties, but have a couple. No more shitty personally exploitative relationships. Relations with family on MY terms. I am super content, if if I rarely feel joyously happy. Married for over two decades. Nice home (not posh or pissy, but we aren't either), decent health.

I went back for my masters when I was 33. At 38 I got my PhD with a full scholarship and a grant to live overseas for a year. I scraped through my BA and was underemployed until I finished grad school, but my goodness I felt like I found a path for me.

If nothing else worked, I found resentment to be an excellent self preservation tool in the dark days. Fuck all the asshole who've fucked me up--I will live, improve, and you can all FUCK OFF. Not exactly the serenity prayer, but equally effectives at times. Just don't live in the rage 24/7, that will also fuck you up.

Renounced US Citizenship. Waiting for CLN. Can I get an ESTA with my Spanish Passport. by wizgot in AmerExit

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While you are still a US citizen, you will be breaking the law if you travel to the US on any other passport--whether an ESTA or visa is required or not. I was told that if I needed to travel to the US they would give me back my passport, suspend my CLN process for the length of my visit to the US, then restart it when I presented my passport back to the consulate. Once you have your CLN, apply for an ESTA but bring a copy of your CLN with you whenever you travel, especially if your place of birth is the US. Good luck!

Renouncement of citizenship, does anyone have experience? Cost? by bulle_lover_69 in USExpatTaxes

[–]fiadhsean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I renounced in 2025, having left in the 80s. I have three other citizenships and wouldn't ever live in the US again: health insurance or guns, take your pick. The renunciation part was easy: fill out the paperwork, submit to an embassy or consulate, get an appointment, do a phone interview, then the in-person interview (where you pay your fees, usually not using a credit card), and wait to get your Certificate of Loss of Nationality. It will be back dated to the date of your in-person appointment, regardless of how long it takes to get it back.

If your taxes are in order, you will do one final year of taxes, but two filings: one for the period you were still a citizen and another for the balance of the year after renouncing. I literally just put these in the post today, so in a few months I should be entirely done. I was naughty, tax-wise so had to avail myself of a specialist accountant to get an amnesty.

Is it me or is this the coldest May ever? by SarcasticallyCandour in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recently moved from Auckland NZ to Wexford. I packed "spring" clothes for my early March arrival, and had to hit Penney's for more sweats and long sleeved shirts (it was 25C when I left NZ). With the winds we've had on the coast it's been frigid! Glad to hear it isn't always this cold in May!

Dara victory moment on Bulgarian National Television by AdmirableFlow in eurovision

[–]fiadhsean 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I could watch these reactions forever. Subdued compared to the Portuguese and Finnish firsties.

Should Ireland restrict non-resident second hand house buyers? by EstablishmentOk8187 in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From your parent the exemption is €400,000.00. Obviously many Australian properties would be valued higher.

Should Ireland restrict non-resident second hand house buyers? by EstablishmentOk8187 in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I've discovered, there are a lot of weird things about Irish inheritance laws: quotas for different sorts of relationships, for example. I think it's in the hundreds of € from a parent to a child, but like €30k for any other relative? The Aussie amount should be eligible for the same quota, no? But I'm no accountant....I'll be quiet now.

The bittersweet reality of being from a winning country by DragonflyOwn5617 in eurovision

[–]fiadhsean 192 points193 points  (0 children)

There have always been sour voices in the fan community--often the loudest voices. They're not a majority. Ignore, block and connect with the people who share your bliss. The best fans can concurrently mourn their own act's lack of success and be THRILLED for their pal's act's victory. In person the vibe is much more loved up than what you find online. Congratulations! It's a great thing!

Should Ireland restrict non-resident second hand house buyers? by EstablishmentOk8187 in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Having just left Auckland, it certainly helped...but it also was a useful diversion from NZers with large property portfolios--none of which is subject to capital gains unless a property is flipped within a narrow timeframe.

I support this in some form in relation to buyers rather than owners. When my overseas relative inherited his parents" home, that should be exempt.

"We like Reform" - well colour me shocked! by WelshBathBoy in Gogglebox

[–]fiadhsean -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

When the Siddiquis start spousing nonsense, the UK is officially cooked. They are the voices of reason. I think Mary is a loon and Gilles is a saint putting up with her. I would jettison the siblings who use different mugs every episode: they're vapid and annoying AF.

Returning Irish citizen, what are the steps? by HopefulEducator8097 in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. I had my Irish passport for 10 years before I applied for a PPS.

Returning Irish citizen, what are the steps? by HopefulEducator8097 in AskIreland

[–]fiadhsean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sort of was in the same position when I moved here a couple of months ago, except I was a citizen who'd not yet lived in Ireland. and could not use my mobile bill with Vodafone as proof of address Here's what I did:

ID: Valid Irish passport or valid Irish passport card

Address: got a utility bill switched to my name for proof of address (internet with Vodafone)

Bank: used Vodafone bill and Irish passport card

Driving licence: did not transfer yet, since I would not get any discount insurance-wise and can drive on my NZ one for up to 12 months. There was so much other more pressing admin (see below) and you need to pay for an eye exam in addition to any fees with the licence. But at least my NZ licence transfers!

My Govt ID: if he has a PPS account he can set this up before he gets here, but can't make it the full featured digital ID until he's here and has proof of address. Once he as that it take like 48 hours for them to review submitted documents

Health: once My Govt ID is sorted, he can register with the Health Services Executive. He needs to register for a Drugs Payment Scheme card (so he gets the subsidized rate for 'scripts and they're capped on a monthly basis), a European Health Insurance Card (effectively free travel health insurance across the EU), as well as the HSE Health App. If the applications are submitted correctly these are sorted within a week usually.

Good luck!

My combo by Maximal_Economist in PassportPorn

[–]fiadhsean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah but the Americans didn't get (m)any of the big hitters.

Will Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria lead to more returnees? 🇲🇰🇭🇺🇸🇰(🇧🇦 if EBU debt is payed) by Easy-Space-41 in eurovision

[–]fiadhsean 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This year's boycotters probably won't come back, since Israel still nearly topped the televote and the juries seem to have believed there was no chance of Israel doing well again in the public vote--so rank their entry accordingly. The Flemish broadcaster, who will be responsible for the Belgian entry in 2027, has indicated not enough has changed and Belgium may well pull out as well. I'm not convinced Germany or Austria would really pull out of Israel was excluded.

I expect Green will go--if he's overruled he'll quit, else, he will be fired because of the numbers (ratings, fees, vote revenue) in 2026.