Ireland Spouse Visa Requirements:
The requirement for this visa type depends on the circumstances of you and your partner. Nevertheless, there are still basic and general requirements that all applicants must meet; they include:
- You must be up to 18 years.
- The relationship between you and your partner must not be solely over the internet or telephone. You must have met your partner face-to-face a couple of times.
- You must provide a recognizable marriage or civil partnership certificate
- You and your civil partner or spouse must provide evidence that your relationship is genuine
- You both must commit to living together as civil partners or husband and wife permanently
Supporting documentation:
1 . Signed and dated Application Form and the appropriate fee (where applicable) must be accompanied by the supporting documentation set out below.
2. Two colour passport sized photographs not more than 6 months old. Your name and visa application reference number must be printed clearly on the back. More information on photograph requirements.
3. Your current passport and a full copy of all previous passports. Your current passport must be valid for at least 12 months.
4. A signed letter of application:
- Including your full contact details
- Outlining your reason for coming to Ireland
- Providing details of the family member in Ireland who is sponsoring your application
- Giving details of any other members of your family who are currently in Ireland, the United Kingdom, or any EU Member State.
5. Sponsor’s status or eligibility to sponsor
- For a sponsor who is an Irish citizen and residing in Ireland, please provide a clear and legible copy of their passport or other documentary evidence attesting to their Irish citizenship
- For a sponsor who is an Irish citizen and residing in a country other than Ireland, please provide a clear and legible copy of their passport showing evidence of their residency in the country in which they are residing.
- Evidence of claimed relationship:
You must provide evidence of the claimed relationship.
The responsibility to show proof as to the genuineness of the relationship rests on you and your sponsor. The nature of the evidence required will depend on the relationship claimed, for example see below – spouse, civil partner, child.
Child (under 18 years and unmarried)
- Birth certificate, adoption order
- In the case of a child from a previous marriage or relationship, evidence that you have been given full custody and access rights to the child, for example, a court order
- In the case of a child from a previous marriage or relationship, where the other parent has some custody or access rights, a sworn affidavit by that parent consenting to the child being removed from their home country.
7.Finances:You must provide evidence of your finances and those of your sponsor including evidence to show that your sponsor meets the minimum level of earnings required (please refer to Chapters 17 and 18 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification):
- A detailed statement of your bank accounts covering a six month period immediately prior to your application
- A detailed statement of your sponsor’s bank accounts covering a six month period immediately prior to your application.
Sponsor who is resident in Ireland:
Evidence that they meet the minimum level of earnings required:
- Employment Detail Summary from Revenue for the 3 years immediately prior to the date of your application and 3 recent consecutive payslips
- If self-employed you must submit Notices of Assessment of income from self-employment for the three most recent years, and evidence of earnings in the period since the most recent tax return was filed.
Person who is eligible to sponsor applications for immediate family reunification:
(Please refer to list of such sponsors at para. 16.4 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification):
- Evidence of projected earnings, for example a copy of contract of employment.
Person who is eligible to sponsor applications for family reunification after 12 months
(Please refer to list of such sponsors at para. 16.4 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification):
- Evidence that they meet the minimum level of earning required – P60s for the previous 2 years (or previous 1 year in the case of an employment permit holder who has been in Ireland for 1 year only), or if self-employed you must submit Notices of Assessment of income from self-employment, as appropriate
- 3 recent consecutive payslips.
An employment permit holder:
A copy of their contract of employment of at least 1 year from your proposed date of entry giving their annual salary is also required.
8. Evidence of dependency
If you are making your application on the basis of financial and social dependency on your sponsor you must provide documentary evidence to establish that you are actually
Dependent on your sponsor.
Documentary evidence may vary from case to case, however evidence of the following will normally be relevant:
- Amount, frequency and duration of the financial support provided by your sponsor (for example, copies of your sponsor’s bank statements showing transfers to your account, copies of your bank statements showing receipt of those amounts)
- Any other sources of income that you may have
- If you have no other source of income, evidence of why you are unable to work, why you are not eligible for state benefits
- Your living costs (evidence of mortgage or rent, utility, food, medical, education payments)
- Details of any other family members in your country of residence
- Your medical condition (where relevant), relationship with the sponsor including evidence of active and continuous involvement in your life, for example evidence of visits or correspondence.
9. Medical or travel insurance
Evidence of medical or travel insurance does not need to be provided with your application. However, the Visa Officer may request it before they make a decision on your application.
If your visa is approved, you must have evidence of medical or travel insurance when you arrive at the port of entry (airport or seaport) and must present it to the Immigration Officer on request.
10. Previous Visa Refusals
If you have been refused a visa in the past for any country, you must provide the details. The original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country must be provided with your application.
(however, depending on the peculiar circumstances of every client, further documentation may be suggested by our Immigration Lawyer)
What activity is and is not permitted:
Type of immigration permission:
The activities that will be permitted (for example the right to work without an employment permit, establish or manage/operate a business) will depend on the immigration permission granted to you by the Irish immigration authorities following your entry to the State.
If you are an immediate family member of an Irish citizen you will receive a Stamp 4 immigration permission which will allow you to work without an employment permit or to establish or manage/operate a business.
If you are an immediate family member of a non-EEA sponsor or are a non-immediate family member of an Irish citizen you will have dependent status only, and will continue to be subject to the employment permits requirements as operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). However, you will be entitled to apply for immigration status in your own right under the various channels available (for example student, work permit or business permission).
After Arrival:
Once in Ireland, the spouse must:
- Register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to receive a residence card.
- Ensure they comply with any conditions attached to their visa.
Conditions:
- The spouse visa usually grants the right to live in Ireland, but not necessarily to work.
- A separate work permit might be required, depending on the sponsor’s status.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to schedule of appointment for free consultation session.
