Eligibility quiz
Is your spouse or partner an Irish citizen?
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 and registration.
See required documentsFill in your application online
Fill in the application in the AVATS system. Apply for a long-stay D Join Family visa if you need a visa, or for de facto partner preclearance if you do not.
Fill in your applicationPrint and sign your summary
Print, sign and date the application summary produced by AVATS.
Find summary instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I print and sign my Ireland Join Family visa or de facto partner preclearance application summary on AVATS?”
Book a submission appointment
Book an appointment with the office named on your application summary if it requires one.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment to submit an Ireland Join Family visa or de facto partner preclearance application?”
Submit your application package
Send or bring your signed summary, passport and supporting documents to the office named on the summary, and give your fingerprints and photo if asked. Pay any required fee and ask the office how it accepts payment.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit my Ireland Join Family visa or de facto partner preclearance application and pay the fee?”
Wait for the decision
Stay outside Ireland while your application is processed. Respond if the office asks for more documents or information.
Check your applicationTravel to Ireland
Once approved, travel to Ireland for the purpose approved in your application.
Find travel informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Ireland after approval of a Join Family visa or de facto partner preclearance?”
Once in IrelandOnce in Ireland
Request permission at the border
Show the immigration officer your D visa or preclearance approval letter and ask for permission to enter. The officer can still refuse entry; if admitted, your passport will be stamped with instructions to register.
Find border informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I request permission to enter Ireland with a Join Family visa or de facto partner preclearance?”
Book your registration appointment
After arriving in Ireland, create an account on the Immigration Service Delivery Customer Service Portal and book your first registration appointment. Register within 90 days.
Book your appointmentAttend your registration appointment
Go to the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin with your Irish spouse or partner and the required original documents. Registration can give you Stamp 4 permission to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend my first immigration registration appointment in Ireland as the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's Irish passport
Provide your Irish spouse or partner’s current passport. For a de facto partner application, provide a full-colour copy of every page, including blank pages, and previous passports if your partner has them; for spouse or civil partner registration, bring the current passport, and for an exceptional in-country spouse application, provide a copy of its personal details page.
Marriage or partnership certificate *
Provide your marriage or civil partnership certificate. Bring the original for registration in Ireland or an application from outside Ireland.
* Only if you are married or in a civil partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationRelationship history *
Provide a detailed history of your relationship, including when the relationship and living together began. Support it with evidence that can be checked, such as letters, messages, emails, call records or bookings.
* Only if you apply as a de facto partner.
May need translationShared financial records *
Provide evidence that you and your Irish partner share financial responsibilities. This can include records of transfers, joint accounts, purchases, assets or loans.
* Only if you apply as a de facto partner.
May need translationConsiderations
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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