De facto partner of an Irish national

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	De facto partner of an Irish national (Long Stay D / Preclearance)
Stay	1 year initially (Stamp 4)
Cost	€60 single entry/preclearance; €100 multiple entry
Eligibility timing	2+ years prior cohabitation required
Work rights	Permitted without separate work permit
Study	Permitted
Medicare / Health	Private medical insurance required
Travel facility	Short trips abroad permitted
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Minor unmarried children under 18 only
Visa record / Renewal	Renew online / at registration office

---

Purpose & Overview

This immigration pathway allows non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals in a committed de facto partnership with an Irish citizen to enter and reside in Ireland. Approved applicants receive permission under Stamp 4, initially granted for 1 year.

---

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss national.
• Must be of good character (able to provide police clearance for countries resided in over the last 5 years).
• Must have cohabited with the Irish partner for at least 2 years prior to application.
• Must intend to live together permanently in Ireland with the partner.
• Must hold qualifying private medical insurance for the entire stay.
• Must apply from outside Ireland (from home country or country of legal residence) and remain outside the State during processing.

Sponsor Requirements

• Must be an Irish national.
• Must intend to reside in Ireland and be self-sufficient without relying on public funds.
• Must meet financial requirements under the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy / Financial Thresholds.
• Must not be resident in homeless, emergency, IPAS, or social/local authority housing, or in receipt of social housing support (e.g., HAP).
• Must not have sponsored (or been sponsored by) another partner/spouse within the prior 5 years.
• Must not have been completely or mainly reliant on State benefits for a continuous period of 2 years or longer immediately prior to the application.

---

Permitted Rights & Conditions

What You Can Do

• Seek employment without needing a separate employment permit.
• Undertake voluntary work.
• Study.
• Travel abroad for short periods (e.g., holidays, conferences) and return.
• Include unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age.

Conditions & Restrictions

• Cannot bring other family members outside of dependent minor children.
• Cannot remain in Ireland if the Irish partner ceases to reside in Ireland.
• Cannot retain permission if the relationship ends.
• Cannot rely on public funds or State resources.

---

Fees & Exemptions

• Preclearance / Single Entry Visa: €60 (non-refundable).
• Multiple Entry Visa: €100 (non-refundable).
• Appeals: Free of charge.

Fee-Exempt Nationalities

Nationals of the following countries are exempt from visa/preclearance fees: Bosnia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.

---

Application Process

Applicants must apply before travelling to Ireland:

• Non-visa required nationals: Apply for a Preclearance Letter of Approval (valid for 6 months).
• Visa-required nationals: Apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ Visa (valid for 6 months).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Complete Online Application:
   • Apply online at AVATS.
   • Visa required: Select Long Stay (D), Single or Multiple entry (multiple recommended), Reason: Visa – Join Family (De Facto Irish).
   • Non-visa required: Select Long Stay (D), Single entry, Reason: Preclearance – Join Family (De Facto Irish).
   • Print, sign, and date the summary application form and declaration.
2. Organise Documents & Pay Fee:
   • Pay the required fee and compile supporting documentation.
   • Submit documents within 30 days of completing the online application form.
3. Submit Application:
   • Submit passport and documents to the office specified on your summary sheet.
4. Child Dependents (if applicable):
   • Submit the primary partner's application first.
   • Complete child application forms referencing the de facto partner’s application transaction number in the "Purpose of Travel" field.
   • If mixing visa-required and non-visa-required applicants in one family group, email preclearance@justice.ie before paying fees or submitting documents.

---

Required Supporting Evidence

General & Applicant Documents

• Signed Application Summary Form.
• 2 passport-sized photos meeting official photograph rules.
• Current Passport: Valid for at least 12 months from proposed entry date, plus full-colour copies of all pages (including blank pages) of any previous passports.
• Fee Payment Evidence: Bank transfer receipt or proof of payment.
• Letter of Application: Outlining personal details, address history for past 5 years, foreign passports held, relatives in Ireland/UK/EU/EEA, dependent children details, and a declaration to obey permission conditions and avoid State funds.
• Police Clearance Certificate: Issued within the last 6 months covering country of current residence and any country lived in for the past 5 years.
• Bank Statements: 6 months of certified/notarised statements on headed bank paper showing name, address, account details, and all transactions.
• Medical Insurance: Private medical insurance authorised by the Health Insurance Authority. Travel insurance is acceptable for year 1 only if covering hospitalisation and at least €25,000 for accident and €25,000 for illness/disease.
• Biometrics: Required for residents of China, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan (unless exempt).
• Immigration & Conviction Disclosures: Evidence of any previous visa refusals, deportations, overstays, or criminal convictions/charges.

Joint Evidence

• Cohabitation (2+ Years): Rental agreements, tenancy books, mortgage/deed records, utility bills in both names, proof of joint rent/mortgage payments. (Mere reciprocal visits do not satisfy this requirement).
• Relationship History: Written history supported by dated messages, emails, phone records, travel bookings, and photos.
• Financial Inter-dependence: Joint bank accounts, shared purchases, shared assets, joint loans, or fund transfers.
• Accommodation Plan: Evidence of where the couple will reside in Ireland.
• Previous Marriages (if applicable): Official divorce decrees, separation agreements, marriage certificates, or death certificates.

Sponsor Documents

• Full colour copy of all pages of current Irish passport and previous passports.
• Letter of Sponsorship: Detailing name, address, 5-year address history, PPSN, criminal history, prior sponsorship history, and confirmation of sponsorship.
• 6 months of certified bank statements.
• Financial Evidence:
  • Employed: Employment contract, 3 recent payslips, 3 years of tax returns, and employer letter stating salary and dates of employment.
  • Self-Employed: 3 years of tax assessments, 6 months of business bank statements, and evidence of income sufficiency.
  • Third-Level Qualifications: Colour copies of degrees/diplomas.

Dependent Children Documents

• Original Birth Certificate or Adoption Certificate.
• Evidence of child's location (e.g., school attendance record).
• If applicable: Deceased parent’s original death certificate, sole custody court orders, or joint custody court orders along with written consent and passport copy of the non-accompanying parent.

Document Attestation & Translation Rules

• Non-EEA/Swiss Official Documents: Birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates must be apostilled/attested by the issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accompanied by certified translations (translations outside the EEA/Switzerland must also be apostilled).
• EEA/Swiss Documents: No apostille required if submitted with a Multilingual Standard Form (MSF) or as an Extract of a European marriage certificate.

---

Arrivals, Registration, & In-Country Renewals

At Border Control & Post-Arrival

• Preclearance or a 'D' visa allows travel only; border immigration officers make the final decision on entry.
• After arriving, register at the local registration office before the landing stamp expires to obtain Stamp 4 registration.
• Children aged 16 and older must also register.

Renewals

• Apply to renew registration approximately 6 weeks before expiry via the online portal or through the local registration office.

Applicants Already in Ireland

• The preclearance/visa process does not apply to individuals already residing in Ireland on a valid permission (e.g., Stamp 1, 2, 3) holding a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

• To change or renew permission in-country, apply via the Customer Service Portal or by post to:

  De Facto Relationship Application, Join Family
  Immigration Service Delivery
  13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, D02 XK70

---

Refusals & Appeals

• Refusals are notified by letter detailing reasons and appeal eligibility.
• Appeals are free of charge and must be submitted by post within 8 weeks of the refusal date.
• Only one appeal is allowed per application. If refused on appeal, a new application must be submitted.

---

Important Warnings

• False Information: Submitting false or misleading information will result in refusal and may lead to a ban from making further visa/preclearance applications for up to 5 years.
• Original Documents: Submit all required original certificates. Failure to provide complete documentation or disclose past visa refusals/criminal charges will lead to refusal.