Republic of Ireland · family
Join Family (Irish national or EEA national)
Family reunification permission for spouses, civil partners, and dependants of Irish or EEA nationals resident in Ireland.
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Overview
Non-EEA family members of Irish citizens and EEA nationals exercising Treaty rights in Ireland can seek permission to reside. The route differs materially depending on whether the sponsor is an Irish national (applying under domestic policy) or an EEA national (applying under the EU Free Movement Directive via EUTR 2015).
Processing time
Applications from abroad typically 6–12 months for non-EEA spouses of Irish nationals.
See source window: 6 months – 1.0 years →Government fees
Visa and registration fees as per ISD schedule.
Typical duration
Variable — usually 1–3 years at a time; leads to Stamp 4.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
Genuine and subsisting relationship with the qualifying sponsor.
For Irish national sponsor: financial evidence per INIS policy.
For EEA sponsor: sponsor must be exercising Treaty rights in Ireland.
Common blockers
Sponsor not resident in Ireland or not exercising Treaty rights.
Insufficient relationship evidence or sham-marriage indicators.
Typical evidence
Marriage or civil partnership certificate.
Evidence of cohabitation if de facto partner.
Sponsor's employment, accommodation, and status evidence.
Application pathway
Step 1
Identify the right route
Determine whether the sponsor is Irish (domestic policy) or EEA exercising Treaty rights (EUTR 2015).
Step 2
Submit Join Family application
Apply from abroad (usually) or from within Ireland in limited circumstances.
Step 3
Receive permission and register
On approval and arrival, register with ISD for Stamp 4 permission.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does an Irish spouse visa take?
Historically 6–12 months for non-EEA spouses of Irish nationals, although backlogs have lengthened this. EEA-national sponsor routes typically decide faster under Treaty obligations.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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