Join family visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Long stay (join family) visa
Stay duration	Longer than 3 months
Cost	Varies; exemptions and local fees apply
Eligibility timing	Sponsor conditions and waiting periods apply
Work rights	Stamp 4: allowed; Non-nuclear: not permitted
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Medical or travel insurance required
Travel facility	Must present insurance at border
Citizenship path	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Available to eligible Irish citizens
Visa record / Biometrics	Biometrics may be required

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Purpose and Overview

The long stay (join family) visa allows visa-required foreign nationals to travel to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with an Irish family member.

• Non-visa-required nationals do not need an entry visa or preclearance to travel to Ireland with their Irish spouse.
• All applicants must inform an immigration officer at the Irish port of entry that they are arriving for family reunification and ensure their passport is inscribed accordingly.
• National policy and ministerial discretion guidelines are detailed in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification.

Policy Exclusions

The policies outlined in the Non-EEA Family Reunification document do not apply to:

• Applications under Directive 2004/38/EC (EU Treaty Rights / EEA and Swiss family members).
• Family reunification for recognised refugees or subsidiary protection beneficiaries (unless the family relationship formed after entering the State).
• Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
• Family members of UK nationals.
• Non-EEA national students in Ireland (except PhD students and certain approved scholarship holders).
• Graduates under the Third Level Graduate Programme.

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Eligibility and Sponsor Requirements

Before applying, applicants must review the family reunification policy to verify:

• Sponsor Eligibility: Whether the sponsor qualifies and whether waiting periods apply.
• Eligible Family Members: Who may be sponsored.
• Financial Thresholds: Whether the sponsor achieves the required minimum income rules.
• Dependency: How financial and social dependency is measured when claimed.

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Permitted Activities and Immigration Permissions

The activities permitted in Ireland depend on the immigration stamp issued upon registration after entry:

• Nuclear Family Members of Irish Citizens: Receive Stamp 4 permission, which allows work without an employment permit and permits establishing or managing a business.
• Non-Nuclear Family Members of Irish Citizens: Receive dependent status only and do not have access to the labour market.

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Application Fees and Processing

• Fees: Visa fees vary by application type; some applicants are exempt. Additional service or submission charges may apply and can often be paid in local currency at the local visa office, embassy, or consulate.
• Processing Order: Applications are generally processed in date order. Visa processing times are published on the visa decisions page or local embassy websites.
• Backlog and Processing Streams: Join Family applications are managed by the Join Family Case Processing Function. A dedicated stream temporarily processes applications linked to Critical Skills Employment Permit holders concurrently with the standard chronological stream.
• Travel Booking: Applicants are advised not to purchase travel tickets until a visa decision has been made.

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Required Documentation

Original documents in hardcopy format are mandatory. Submissions on digital media (USB, CD-ROM, memory cards) or cloud-sharing platforms (Dropbox, Sharefile) are not accepted.

1. General Application Documents

• Application Form: Printed, signed, and dated after completing the online form.
• Photographs: Two colour passport-sized photos (under 6 months old) with the applicant's name and application reference number printed on the back.
• Passport: Current passport valid for at least 12 months, plus full copies of all previous passports.
• Application Letter: Signed letter stating contact details, reasons for moving to Ireland, sponsor details, and details of any family members living in Ireland, the UK, or any EU Member State.
• Previous Visa Refusals: Original refusal letters from any country.
• Insurance: Evidence of medical or travel insurance (must be presented to the immigration border officer upon arrival if approved).

2. Sponsor Evidence

• Resident in Ireland: Copy of Irish passport (or proof of citizenship), Revenue Employment Detail Summary for the past 3 years, 3 recent payslips, or 3 years of Notices of Assessment if self-employed.
• Resident Abroad: Copy of Irish passport and proof of legal residency in that country.
• Bank Statements: 6 months of bank statements for both the applicant and the sponsor immediately prior to the application date.

3. Relationship and Dependency Evidence

• Spouse / Civil Partner: Marriage or civil partnership certificate. If the couple has not lived together since the marriage, submit relationship history (photos, communication records, stamps, travel history). Relationships must include face-to-face meetings (internet or phone only is not sufficient).
• Children (under 18 and unmarried): Birth certificate or adoption order. If sole custody applies, provide the relevant court order. If shared custody applies, provide a sworn consent affidavit from the non-accompanying parent along with a copy of their ID showing their signature.
• Dependent Family Members: Proof of financial and social dependence (evidence of money transfers, living costs, lack of alternative income/benefits, and active involvement of the sponsor).

4. Document Authentication and Translations

• Documents from Outside the EEA/Switzerland: Official certificates (birth, marriage, death, divorce) and translations done outside the EEA/Switzerland must be apostilled/attested by the issuing country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Documents from Inside the EEA/Switzerland: Excluded from apostille requirements. Multilingual Standard Forms (MSFs) or Convention-standard European extract certificates can be submitted without translation.
• Translations: Unofficial languages must have certified translations into English or Irish showing the translator's name, signature, contact details, date, and accuracy confirmation.
• Official Letters: Letters from organisations or companies must be on official letterhead with fixed-line phone numbers, verified company emails (not Hotmail/Yahoo), and manual signatures (electronic signatures are not accepted).

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How to Apply

1. Complete the online visa application at AVATS.
2. Print, sign, and date the summary application form generated by AVATS.
3. Submit the signed form, original supporting documents, fee payment, and any required biometrics to the designated office listed on the application summary.
4. If you require original documents returned (such as marriage or birth certificates), provide a return request list with your package.

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Important Warnings

• False Information: Submitting false or misleading information or documents may lead to visa refusal, loss of appeal rights, and a 5-year ban from obtaining an Irish visa.
• Border Compliance: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry. Presenting at the border without complying with immigration policy terms may lead to refusal of leave to land.
• Unreported Refusals: Failure to disclose prior visa refusals from any country will result in an immediate refusal.