Joining family Visa in Ireland

Joining family Visa in Ireland

A guide to long stay (join family) visas

This article is for non-visa-required nationals who wish to join their Irish relative in Ireland for longer than 90 days. If your relative isn’t Irish, various rules and regulations apply (see Connect in the presentation).

Who can sponsor you?
An Irish resident living in Ireland.
An Irish resident living outside Ireland (under specific circumstances.

Who can be sponsored?
Your spouse or civil partner.
Children who are unmarried or under eighteen (18)
Other family members can also be sponsored in certain situations. See policy documentation for more details.

Before you apply

There are certain steps and things to do before you apply, to understand it better you need to read the policy document on Non-EEA family reunification carefully and properly. This document will explain who can be sponsored, what is the eligibility criteria and requirements, the waiting period of the application process, and other details mentioned there.
Gather required documents on time so you do not have to do things in a hurry when authorities will demand certain documents.

How to apply
Online application methods are available, use the Irish Online Application Facility (AVATS).
Fill out the form carefully and correctly.
Print and sign the application form first.
Submit the application form and other required documents to the accredited office, the details will be provided on the application form page.
Biometrics will need to be done after these steps, go to the office and provide your fingerprints.

Important
Make sure you are not providing false information just for the sake of completing a form, read it carefully, and get help if you do not understand certain fields in the application form. 
False information provisions will lead to rejection and other future visa restrictions.
Buy air tickets only when you receive your Visa, avoid purchasing tickets earlier.
This visa allows you to travel to Ireland but this will not guarantee entry. Only immigration authorities can grant entry. They have the final say.

Fees
The fee details vary from time to time. Make sure to check the official website for current visa fees and do not trust any other source. Some applications are exempted from the fee and their details will be mentioned on the official website as well. 

Processing time
Applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted and it can take several weeks.
Make sure not to check the status of the application frequently, give authorities time, and do not rush things.

Required documents

Original signed application form.
Two recent passport-sized photos with your name and visa reference number on the back.
Valid passport (valid for at least 12 months beyond your intended stay).
Copies of all previous passports.
Signed letter of application explaining your reason for coming to Ireland and details of your family member and other family in Ireland, UK, or EU.
Sponsor’s documents:
For Irish citizens living in Ireland: copy of their passport or other proof of citizenship.
For Irish citizens living outside of Ireland: copy of their passport that show a proof of residency in the other country.
Evidence of your relationship with the sponsor:
Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if required).
Birth certificate (if you are applying as a child).
Adoption order (if applicable).
Court order granting full custody and access rights (if applicable).
An affidavit from the other parent consenting and agreeing to the child’s move (if applicable).
Other documents depend on your relationship with the Irish citizen (see the official website for details).
Financial documents:
Your bank statements for the past 6 months.
Your sponsor’s bank statements for the past 6 months.
Proof that your sponsor meets the minimum income requirement (details in the policy document).
Evidence of dependency (if applicable):
Proof of financial support from your sponsor (bank statements showing transfers).
Evidence of your living costs (rent/mortgage, utilities).
Details of other family members in your home country.
Medical information (if relevant).

Verify that every document is an original and not a copy.
Documents must be translated by qualified translators, and they must be written in either Irish or English.
The appropriate authorities will need to legalise certain documents.
Authorities will ask you for some more papers or information that they will need.
Rejecting documents right away is possible if you submit too few or none at all.
Following processing, marriage, birth, and death certificates will be returned. Using the list you sent with your application for the return of papers, you can obtain them from the relevant authorities. 

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