Permission to Reside for a UK-resident Parent of an Irish Child Citizen

There are two routes through which you can apply for permission to remain as the parent of an Irish child.

• The first route applies to persons with existing permission to remain or enter Ireland through a D reside parent of an Irish citizen child visa.
• The second route applies to persons without valid immigration permission or in Ireland on a short stay “C” visa.

The application process for people with existing permission to remain

If you already have permission to remain in Ireland with stamp 1. 2. or 3, or you entered Ireland under the D Reside Parent of an Irish citizen child visa, you can upgrade your immigration status to stamp 4.

You will need to go to your local immigration office to request permission. You must take along your Irish citizen child and original copies of the following documents (photocopied documents will not be allowed);

• Your valid passport
• Your Irish child’s valid Irish passport
• Your current Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or GNIB card
• Your child’s birth certificate
• Documentary evidence of your address in Ireland: this can be shown through utility bills or letters directed to said address.
• Documentary evidence of your child’s address in the State: this can be shown through a school letter directed to your child at that address.
• Evidence that you support your child emotionally and financially: this can be shown through evidence of attending doctor’s appointments together or attending school meetings with your child.

The application process for people without existing permission to remain

If you do not have valid immigration permission or you reside in Ireland on a short stay “C” visa, you must complete the Form RES3, Application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish Citizen Child for a Non-EEA Parent and send it to the Irish Department of justice office.

You will submit your completed application form with original copies of the following documents;

• A copy of your passport
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Your child’s birth certificate
• Copy of your child’s immunization passport
• Two lettered evidence that you support your child emotionally and financially: this can be shown through letters proving that you attend doctor’s appointments or school meetings with your child.

You must complete the application form and submit all the necessary documents unless the Irish immigration service will not process your application. If you require assistance with obtaining your documents or you do not know which documents are essential, please talk to one of our immigration lawyers.

A successful application to reside as the non-EEA parent of an Irish citizen child grants you Stamp 4 permission to reside in Ireland. Stamp 4 permission allows you to live and work in Ireland without an employment permit. However, you will not be able to enjoy state benefits.

Once granted this permission, you are expected to abide by the rules and regulations of Ireland. It is also expected that you will continually play an emotional or financial role in your child’s life.

You are also expected to keep to the following conditions

• You will make all efforts to gain employment in Ireland so that you can support your child financially
• You will reside continuously in the State
• You will not engage in any criminal activities during your stay in Ireland

You can only obtain permission to remain if you meet the qualifying criteria. Therefore, if you are granted permission, and then it is discovered that you do not meet these criteria, then the minister of justice may revoke your permission.

The Department of Justice may revoke your permission if;

• The information shows that you have broken the conditions of your permission,
• Information surfaces about your character or conduct (whether before or after you were granted permission), including criminal convictions,
• The information shows that you have failed to register your permission with your local immigration office as required by law,
• The information shows that you have provided false or misleading information to the Minister for Justice or other State authorities.

If your permission is revoked and you have no existing residence permits, the Minister for Justice may seek to deport you.

Total Law’s excellent immigration lawyers are vastly experienced and have helped many clients successfully apply for Irish immigration permission.

If you’re applying for permission to remain as the non-EEA parent of an Irish citizen child, we can help ensure that your application is submitted correctly.

Our immigration lawyers will help you determine that you meet the eligibility criteria, guide you through each step of the process, and help you gather all the documents that prove your eligibility for permission.