Irish Family Visas

Eligibility for Family Visa Sponsors

The first requirement in the family visa application process is to obtain a sponsor. Visa applicants are not able to apply for the family visa without a sponsoring family member or another qualifying individual.

Persons eligible to become a sponsor include:

• Citizens of Ireland
• Citizens of EU/ EEA countries who are living in Ireland
• Citizens of non- EU/ EEA countries who are in Ireland on an employment permit
• Foreign citizens living in Ireland on Stamp 4 or Stamp 5
• Researchers who are in Ireland under a hosting agreement
• PhD students who are enrolled in an accredited PhD course of study in Ireland

The sponsor must meet several eligibility requirements, the main one being that they must be able to prove they are able to financially support the visa holder during their stay in Ireland, and that the visa holder will not need to rely on public funds.

Eligibility For Irish Family Visa Applicants

There are a number of eligibility requirements applicants must meet for the Irish Family Visa. These include:

• You must hold a current and valid passport
• You must have a relative who is an Irish citizen
• You must be able to provide proof that your relative has a valid Irish address
• Your relative in Ireland must agree to sponsor you and petition for your visa
• Your relative must meet all the eligibility requirements for sponsorship, including financial stability
• You must be able to prove your connection to your relative

Other eligibility requirements will depend on the circumstances you are applying under. For example, if you are an Irish citizen sponsoring your non-EEA country dependent children, you must prove that you have active and continuous involvement in their lives.

Required Documents For an Irish Family Visa

When you apply for an Irish family visa, you will be required to provide sufficient evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria as a part of your visa application package.

Required supporting documents can vary slightly depending on which category of family visa you are applying under. However, most required documents will be the same across all categories. These are:

• A current and valid passport
• Two standard passport size photographs
• Previous passports, visas, and details of any previous visa refusals
• Your application summary sheet that is printed, dated and signed
• Your signed application letter detailing your reason for travel and including your and your sponsoring family member’s contact details
• The receipt of the visa application fee
• Documents supporting your family relationship and relationship history with your sponsoring family member, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, etc.
• Documents proving that your sponsor has enough money to support you financially for the duration of your visa, such as bank statements
• Details of your accommodations in Ireland

All the documents which are not originally in the English language must have certified translated copies made and submitted as part of your documentation package. The particular documents for the category of family visa you are applying under will be detailed in your online application.

How To Apply For An Irish Family Visa

The first step in the Irish Family Visa application process is to identify your sponsoring family member. You must have an Irish family member who agrees to be your sponsor for the visa, or you will not be eligible to apply.

The second stage of the process is for the visa applicant. You will need to complete the online application form and submit your supporting documents as well as pay the visa application fee. The online application will ask you to provide personal details including the reason for your desire to travel to Ireland. It is important to complete the application thoroughly and truthfully to avoid your application being delayed or rejected.

At the end of the application, you will be given an application summary page. This page will give you the information needed to submit your supporting documentation package. It will also give you a number so that you can track your application while it is being processed.

You will need to submit your supporting documentation to Irish immigration authorities and wait for your application package to be processed. Once a visa decision is reached, your original documents will be mailed back to you or arrangements will be made for you to retrieve them from a local embassy or consulate.

Processing Times

The processing time for the family visa depends on your unique circumstances as well as the conditions at the visa office.

While there is no official time given for the processing of the family visa, typically you will receive a decision within 6 months when your sponsor has already obtained the immigration status of an Irish national.

If your sponsoring family member is originally from a non-EEA country but is lawfully living in Ireland, the visa processing time can be longer. In this situation, you should receive a decision within one year from your application date.

Costs and Fees

Once you fill out your visa application, you will need to pay the fee before your visa can be submitted and processed. If you are applying for a single-entry visa, the fee is €60. For a multiple-entry visa, the fee is €100.

You may incur other costs or fees during the visa application process, such as for services like the translation of required documents.