Eligibility quiz
Do you have a partner who lives in Ireland?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Ireland
You can live in Ireland until your permission expires, under its conditions.
Permission based on your Irish citizen child can last up to three years and may be renewed.
Your Irish Residence Permit proves your permission and must be valid for your return after travel abroad; a digital copy is not accepted.
Work in Ireland
With Stamp 4, you can work without an employment permit and start and run a business.
Some professions have their own rules you must meet.
Count residence toward citizenship
Time on Stamp 4 counts toward residence for Irish citizenship, but citizenship is not automatic.
It generally requires one continuous year immediately before applying plus five years’ residence in the previous nine, as well as other conditions.
Vote in elections
People ordinarily living in Ireland can vote in local elections if registered and otherwise eligible.
Depending on your citizenship, you may also be able to vote in national or European elections or referendums.
Use public healthcare
With Stamp 4, you can use public healthcare if you meet the eligibility rules, including those on where you normally live.
Medical card holders receive listed services free; others may have limited care or have to pay.
Receive state support
With Stamp 4, you can receive state payments if you meet each payment’s rules.
Depending on the payment, these may include where you normally live, your income and savings, and your contributions.
How to apply
From outside IrelandFrom outside Ireland
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Complete the application in AVATS. If you need a visa, select long-stay D and “Visa – Join Family (De Facto Irish)”; if you do not need a visa, select long-stay D, single journey and “Preclearance – Join Family (De Facto Irish)”.
Fill in your applicationPrint and sign
Print the summary form and declaration generated by AVATS. Sign and date the declaration yourself.
Find printing instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign the AVATS declaration for Ireland de facto partner permission?”
Pay the application fee
Pay the fee using the method shown on your summary form. Send or hand in the fee and documents within 30 days of completing AVATS.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Ireland de facto partner visa or preclearance application fee?”
Hand in your application
Send or hand in your signed form, passport and supporting documents to the office named on your summary form, following its instructions. That office may require an appointment or fingerprints and a photograph.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit my Ireland de facto partner visa or preclearance application to the office named on my AVATS summary?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for a decision on your visa or preclearance application. You can use the customer service portal to ask about its status.
Ask about your applicationTravel to Ireland
If your application is approved, travel to Ireland with your visa or preclearance letter. It allows you to travel for this purpose but does not guarantee entry.
Find travel instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Ireland with an approved de facto partner visa or preclearance?”
Once in IrelandOnce in Ireland
Request permission to enter
On arrival, present yourself to an immigration officer and ask for permission to enter Ireland.
Find arrival instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I request permission to enter Ireland with a de facto partner visa or preclearance?”
Register your permission
Go with your partner to the registration office for your area and bring the required original documents. Registering your permission records your stay in Ireland.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register Ireland de facto partner permission after arriving in Ireland?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's residence record
Include your partner's Irish Residence Permit showing Stamp 1, Stamp 4 or Stamp 5. Also include evidence that your partner lives in Ireland.
Partner's passport or ID
Include your partner's passport or identity document. Provide a clear image of the original.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Family permission conditions
If your permission is based on your Irish citizen child, stay involved in their upbringing; they must normally live in Ireland.
With permission as an unmarried partner, your relationship must remain genuine and ongoing, and you are expected to live together permanently in Ireland.
Other family permissions depend on the relevant family, dependency and sponsor conditions continuing to be met.
Registration and renewal
Keep your permission registered and renewed.
Apply before it expires, while in Ireland; you can apply online up to 12 weeks beforehand.
Follow the conditions in your permission letter and tell immigration officials about relevant changes when required.
Stamp 0 restrictions
With Stamp 0, you must support yourself or be fully supported by your sponsor, keep private medical insurance, and avoid state benefits and publicly funded services.
Do not work, run a business, trade or practise a profession unless your permission expressly allows it.
Some renewal conditions require continuous residence in Ireland and bar bringing family on this basis.
Permission can be lost
Your permission ends when it expires unless it is renewed.
It can be cancelled or not renewed if you break its conditions, engage in criminal activity or attract adverse attention from the police.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Immigration ireland-spouse/dependent visa-work permit-visa refusal-appeal
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Join on FacebookEU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Ireland interested in Irish visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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