Join Family Visa

All documents must be submitted in hardcopy format only—not on USB sticks, memory cards, CDs, or file-sharing platforms. Original documents are required.

Identity and Passport Documents

• Current passport valid for at least 12 months
• Full copies of all previous passports
• Two colour passport-sized photographs not more than 6 months old, with your name and visa application reference number printed on the back

Application and Correspondence

• Signed and dated application form (generated after completing the online AVATS application)
• Letter of application including your full contact details, reason for coming to Ireland, details of your sponsoring family member, and details of any other family members in Ireland, the UK, or EU Member States

Sponsor's Status and Eligibility

• If sponsor is an Irish citizen in Ireland: Clear and legible copy of their passport or other documentary evidence of Irish citizenship
• If sponsor is an Irish citizen abroad: Clear and legible copy of their passport showing evidence of residency in the country where they are residing

Evidence of Family Relationship

Spouse or Civil Partner:

• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (must be capable of recognition under Irish law)
• If not residing together since marriage, full account of relationship history with evidence such as visas, entry/exit stamps, photographs, and correspondence

De Facto Partner:

• Evidence of at least 2 years cohabitation: joint leases, shared bills, photographs, correspondence, and other documentation demonstrating a genuine and durable relationship

Child:

• Birth certificate or adoption order
• If from a previous relationship, evidence of full custody and access rights, or a sworn affidavit from the other parent consenting to the child's removal

Financial Documentation

• Detailed bank statements for both you and your sponsor covering 6 months immediately before applying
• Employment Detail Summary from Revenue for your sponsor covering the 3 years immediately before applying
• Three recent consecutive payslips from your sponsor
• If self-employed: Notices of Assessment for the three most recent years and evidence of earnings since the most recent tax return

Evidence of Dependency (if applicable)

• Amount, frequency, and duration of financial support provided (bank statements showing transfers)
• Any other sources of income you may have
• Evidence of living costs (mortgage/rent, utilities, food, medical, education payments)
• Details of other family members in your country of residence
• Medical condition documentation where relevant

Previous Visa Refusals

• If you have been refused a visa by any country, the original refusal letter from those authorities must be provided

Translation and Apostille Requirements

Translations: Any document not in English or Irish must be accompanied by a full translation. The translator must confirm the translation is accurate, provide the date of translation, their full name and signature, and contact details.

Apostille (for documents issued outside the EEA or Switzerland): Any state-issued official documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce certificates) issued outside the EEA or Switzerland must be apostilled as genuine by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing state. Translations done outside the EEA or Switzerland must also be apostilled. Translations done within the EEA or Switzerland do not require apostille.

Documents issued within the EEA or Switzerland do not require apostille, though translations may be required unless a multilingual standard form is provided.

Official Letters and Documentation

All letters from businesses, companies, or organisations must be on official headed paper showing:

• Organisation's full name and full postal address
• Telephone number (fixed line, not mobile)
• Website address and email address (not Yahoo or Hotmail)
• Contact person's name and title
• Written signature of an authorised representative (electronic signature not accepted)