If you are a non-EU/EEA national, TRAVELING and you want to move to Ireland and join a family member TRAVELING who is already residing there, you will have to apply for TRAVELING Family Reunification for Ireland, also known as an Ireland Join Family Visa.
Under a family visa, non-EU/EEA residents can stay with their relatives in Ireland for longer than three months. They can stay with relatives who are residents or have a legal residence permit. Family visa is a long-stay visa.
Ireland join family visa
The visa you can use to join your family member in Ireland has different names. It gets called Ireland family visa, Ireland family reunification visa, Ireland join parent visa, Ireland family visit visa, join spouse visa Ireland, and Ireland joins family visa.
All of them are the same and have the same eligibility principles, requirements, and application process. As the non-EU family member moves to Ireland to join his/her relative, the join family visa is a common name that might be used often.
Are You Eligible for family reunification Ireland visa?
The eligibility criteria for Ireland family visa differs based on your nationality:
EU, EEA, and Switzerland
Providing that you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland working in Ireland, you can bring your family to the country. It is true even if your family member is not EU, EEA, or Switzerland citizen.
Non-EU citizens
Not everyone can apply for an Ireland Family visa. Only the following family members of Irish citizens or non-EU/EEA can apply for Ireland family visa:
Spouse
Law partner (De facto)
Law partners must have lived for at least two years together to be eligible.
Minor children (under 18)
You can also bring adopted children to Ireland. It is true when the Irish government confirms the adoption by its law. There is the same rule for stepchildren. If you prove that the stepchild is a permanent member of your family, you can bring him/her to the country.
Elderly parents
The Irish government has severe rules regarding bringing elderly parents to Ireland. That is because they are unable to support themselves financially. The number of refused parents’ applications is higher. So it is the financial requirement for parents.
Ireland parent visa is the name given to the program when you bring your parents to Ireland. The parents must fulfill eligibility principles so the person living in Ireland can apply for their visa. The names are given on this page for the same visa.
Ireland Family reunification 2022
There might be changes in Ireland Family reunification visa for 2022 but the government has not announced anything yet.
The website of the Immigration Council of Ireland has not published any changes on its website. If there were changes in the program and any news has been announced, it will be published on Visa Library ASAP.
Who can you sponsor for Ireland family reunification?
The sponsor living in Ireland must be in one of the following groups to bring his/her relative into the country:
- The citizens of Ireland.
- Citizens of the EU/EEA.
- People who hold an Ireland work visa.
- Non- EU/EEA nationals who are holding an Ireland Work permit.
- People who hold Ireland Stamp 4 or stamp 5.
- Researchers who are in Ireland under a Hosting Agreement.
- Clergies who are holding an immigration Stamp 3.
- A Ph.D. student studying in Ireland under an authorized program.
Required Time to Host Family Members
You should remember that there might be required living time in Ireland. It means the sponsor must live some time in Ireland to host his/her relatives. It depends on the conditions of the sponsor and the permit he/she holds. If the host holds any employment permit, he/she must live in Ireland for one year to be eligible for sponsoring.
Ireland family visa requirements
The Join family visa Ireland requirements are a set of general list that you need to prepare.
You have to submit a few supporting documents to apply for the Ireland family visa:
Ireland family reunification application form
You should complete the application form on the INIS website. In the end, there is a summary page to print. Date and sign it. Keep it as you submit it to the authorities.
Photo
Two passports sized photo. Take them in the latest three months to the date of application. The background must be clear, and nothing hides your face.
Passport
The original currently used passport. It must not be older than ten years ago. It must be valid for at least one year over the date you will enter Ireland. Providing you have had other passports, provide a copy of them.
Personal declaration letter
Write a personal letter to the Irish government and state:
- State all your personal information.
- The purpose of your trip to Ireland.
- The details of the relative living in Ireland.
- Put information on any other relative living in any foreign country.
Eligibility proof of relative in Ireland
As we explained above, your relative living in Ireland must be eligible. If he/she is an Irish citizen, provide a copy of their passport.
In case your relative is a non-EU/EEA resident, provide:
- A copy of all pages of your relatives’ passport.
- Registration documents copies.
If the relative is working, a copy of the work permit.
Family relationship proof
Spouse:
Marriage certificate
Law partner
Proof that you have lived together for some time. It could be pictures, travel history, visas, etc.
Minor children
- adoption certificate
- Certificate of birth
- Guardianship certificate (if applicable)
Proof to have enough funds
Bank statement for the latest six months. Do not forget to provide your spouse’s statements, as well.
Financial capability of the sponsor
Your sponsor in Ireland must prove his financial ability to support you:
- P60 form (the tax you’ve paid on your salary in the tax year) for the past two years.
- The most recent payment statement.
- Employment agreement for one year ahead of the date of application. It must show how much the sponsor will receive.
- Providing the sponsor is self-employed, provide Notices of Assessment of income.
Health insurance
Holding health insurance at the time of application is not mandatory. Remember that you must have one when going through Border Control.
Translation
If your documents are in other languages, have them translated by a certified one. Do not forget to provide the original one, along with the application.
Envelope
Along with the requirements, provide an empty envelope. Write your exact address and postcode on it. The Irish officials use the envelope to return your passport along with the original form of documents.
Residence permit
Providing that you are not a national of the country you are making an application form, provide a legal residence permit.
Note: The Irish officials might not return some of your documents. So make sure to have a copy for all of them. You might need to provide some of them to Border Control.
Ireland non-EU spouse visa
Ireland family reunification visa or spouse visa allows you to bring your non-EU family member to the country. The eligibility principles for each family member are different, and there are set rules and regulations.
The visa permits you to bring your spouse to Ireland as well. The formal marriage certificate must be provided, and the couple must provide proof of living together for a certain period of time.
Ireland EU family permit
If you are a citizen or national of the Eu, you do not need a residence permit to live in Ireland. Your family member also does not need to apply for a residence permit.
As explained above, you can bring your non-EU family member to the country, and the EU members are exempt from the permit.
The Financial Requirements for Ireland family visa
Aside from the mentioned requirements, there is also financial eligibility. Sponsors must prove they can support the costs of living for their host. The required amount is different for each family member and the nationality of the sponsor.
Citizens of Ireland
Providing that the sponsor is a citizen of Ireland, he/she must have earned a total of 40.000 EUR in the latest three years to the application. Also, your sponsor must not have received any form of benefit from the government.
Non-EU/EEA nationals
There are two possibilities for non-EU/EEA nationals. If they can bring you to Ireland without any time limit, there are no financial requirements either. However, they must prove they are eligible to stay in Ireland.
The following groups can immediately bring their family members to Ireland:
- Holders of Critical Skills Employment Permit
- People who have invested in Ireland.
- People holding a business permit.
- Entrepreneur
- Students of Ph.D
- Researcher working under a Hosting Agreement.
- EEA/Irish citizen.
- Moved employees to the Irish branch of their company (Intra transfer).
- Scholarship students under a program approved by Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service.
- Full-time non-locum doctors.
If the sponsor is not in the above group and has another type of Ireland work permit, the Irish Department of Social Protection will determine the least required payment. Please remember that the sponsor must pass the least required time to sponsor relative.
If you are sponsoring your child, the required payment has this formula:
| Number of children | Least required weekly income |
| 1 | €521 |
| 2 | €622 |
| 3 | €723 |
| 4 | €834 |
| 5 | €960 |
| 6 | €1,076 |
| 7 | €1,212 |
| 8 (+) | €1,308 |
Elderly parents
If you will be sponsoring your parents:
- One parent; the least payment in 60.000 EUR in the latest three years.
- Two parents; 75.000 EUR in the latest three years.
Spouse
Providing that you are sponsoring your spouse, you must have a 30.000 salary per year.
Application Process for Ireland family visa
The application process for the Ireland family visa has two parts:
- The procedure the sponsor has to complete
- The steps applicant has to follow.
- The first stage that the sponsor has to complete
The sponsor living in Ireland should complete the first stage of the application.
Check sponsor’s eligibility
Before the sponsor or the host do anything, the sponsor must check his/her eligibility. As we explained above, there are different rules for sponsoring various family members. Read them completely and make sure the sponsor is eligible.
Authorization to sponsor a family member
When the sponsor made sure of eligibility, he/she must apply for sponsoring permission. The sponsor must apply to the Family Reunification Section of Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS). He/she must mail a letter to the authorities. The sponsor must put this information in the letter:
- Complete name
- Full address
- ID number
Complete information about the relative he/she wants to bring into Ireland:
- Full name.
- Date of birth.
- Nationality
- Address.
- The type of relationship.
Gather requirements
When the INIS received the letter, they will send the sponsor a list of supporting documents and a questionnaire. The sponsor must complete the questionnaire and gather all the required documents. Then, send them to the INIS.
Receiving results
When authorities approve the sponsoring application, the host can begin his/her application process.
The second part that the applicant has to complete
When the sponsor makes sure of eligibility and receives approval for sponsoring from INIS officials, the host can begin the application process.
The applicant who wants to move to Ireland should carry on the second stage.
Application form
Complete the Ireland family visa online form on AVATS. Pay attention to completing the right form. Also, the information you put must be correct and true. In the end, there is a supply page to print. Then date and sign it. Keep it until you submit it to the officials.
Gather requirements
Now you have to gather the supporting documents for the Ireland family visa. The summary page will tell you about the requirements. You could also see the section above to know about the requirements.
Submit requirements
The form will also tell you where to submit the requirements. It much depends on the country you are from. Put your passport and all the requirements in an envelope. Then mail it to the address. It could be an Irish embassy or consulate in your home country or a visa center.
Along with the requirements, put an empty envelope. The officials will use it to return the original form of documents.
Wait for processing
Now, wait until your application gets processed. The processing time depends on different factors. When authorities approve your application, they will send the visa stamp on your passport. If they deny it, they will inform you why.
Entrance visa
Based on nationality, applicants may need an entrance visa. A few countries are free of Ireland short-stay visa; many more need it. If your country needs an Ireland short-stay visa, then you need an entrance visa for a family visa too. If not, you can travel to Ireland with the stamp on your passport. However, you have to go through Border Control.
Border Control
When you arrive in Ireland, you have to go through Border Control. You need an entry visa or not does matter. The officials at the Border Control evaluate you and decide whether to let in or not. You must carry all the requirements to provide them. They will determine the lengths of your stay in Ireland.
Residence permit
When you entered the Irish soils, you must apply for the Residence Permit. You should visit the Garda National Immigration Bureau to receive one.
You completed all these parts? Congratulations. You can stay in Ireland as long as your Residence Permit is valid.
Ireland join family visa processing time
The processing time for the Ireland family visa varies. It depends on different factors. The country you apply from, your documents, the Irish embassy, etc. However, the standard time is 6-12 months. If you can bring your family immediately after moving to Ireland, the processing time is six months. If you have to live in Ireland for the required time (one or two years), it could take one year.
Can Applicants Work Under Ireland Family Visa?
Whether you can work in Ireland under the family visa depends on the conditions of your sponsor:
- In case the sponsor holds Stamp 4, you have permission to work in Ireland legally. There is no need to apply for a work permit.
- When the sponsor holds a Critical Skills Employment Permit, you can apply for Dependent/Partner/Spouse Employment Permit.
- When the sponsor holds any other Ireland work permit, you have to apply for your own work permit.
Ireland visit family visa
If you want to visit your family in Ireland for a short period of time and you are not going to stay for the long term, you can apply for an Ireland tourist visa or visitor visa.
The application process is less complicated, and you have less difficulty applying for it. Anyone who has a valid passport from the country he/she resides in can apply for a tourist visa and stay in Ireland.
If you are from a short stay visa-free country, you can visit the country with your passport, and you do not have to apply for a visa.
- Published by
- Max-B.
- 2 Comments
I am a stamp 4 holder( category B sponsor) with a general work permit. live in ireland for 4 years(since March 2019), I have been waiting a visa decision from ISD. After reading the requirements, i will pass all of it .the fact will be on the financial requirements.My emplyoment contract and employement letter( hourly wage) wich are among the requirements documents sent to ISD show the wages my employer has been paying for the previous 2 years(2021 and 2022) My P 60 is 25,000 euro gross income and my gross weekly payment is between 600 to 650 euro.
i have a spouse ( 28 years) married since 2019 and two minor childreen( 3 years and 1 years boy and girl) we are from Democratic Republic of Congo.they had a tourist visit for two months to visit last year visiting me and they left the country before the expiration of their visas.
Is there any chance for my familly applications to go through or if any discretionnary decision from the justice minister may apply regarding that issue or if the paragraph 1.12 of the policy document of 2013 and revised in 2016 regarding family reunication of non EEA citizens? Thank you.
Even if you earn enough money and have a stable family life, the Irish government may nevertheless deny your family visa application for a variety of reasons. Your case may be strengthened if you have a spouse and little children. It’s good news that your relatives followed the rules when they visited before and got the proper visas. The Minister of Justice has the authority to provide exceptions in certain circumstances, however this is not always the case. The provisions of Section 1.12 of the Policy may be relevant to your situation. Consultation with an immigration attorney who can give you individualized advice and help you put together a solid application is highly recommended if you want to successfully navigate this process.