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Non-EEA National

Join your non-EEA or non-Swiss family member in Ireland and start your new life together. Get expert legal support to prepare a complete and compliant visa application.

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Joining a Non-EEA or Non-Swiss Family Member Living and Working in Ireland

If your family member is a non-EEA or non-Swiss national who is living and working in Ireland, you may be eligible to apply to join them.
The type of permission they hold determines whether you can apply immediately or after one year of their legal residence in Ireland. Different conditions apply depending on their employment category, your relationship, and your dependency status.

When can I join my family member in Ireland?

Category A – Immediate family reunification

You may apply for a visa to join your non-EEA family member immediately if they are legally living and working in Ireland under one of the following permissions:

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit holder
  • Approved Investor or Entrepreneur
  • Business Permission holder
  • Researcher on a Hosting Agreement or Approved Scholarship programme
  • Intra-Corporate Transferee
    • PhD student (subject to conditions, including no access to social welfare)
  • Full-time, non-locum medical doctor

Minister of Religion (as an exception to the general family reunification policy)
These categories are recognised as high-value contributors to the Irish economy or society, and their family members are allowed to apply for residence without delay.

Category B – After 12 months of residence

If your family member holds another type of employment or residence permission, you may apply to join them after they have lived and worked in Ireland for at least 12 months.

This category includes:

  • Non-Critical Skills Employment Permit holders
  • Stamp 4 holders not covered under other arrangements

Category C – Not eligible for sponsorship

All other non-EEA nationals not listed under Category A or B are generally not eligible to sponsor a family reunification application.

If your family member falls into this category, our immigration team can advise you on possible alternative visa options or long-term pathways to join them in Ireland.

Who can apply to join an Irish citizen

Spouse or Civil Partner

If you are legally married to or in a civil partnership with a non-EEA national residing in Ireland, you may be eligible to apply to join or accompany them, depending on their immigration status.

De Facto Partner

If you are in a long-term, committed relationship (not married or in a civil partnership) with a non-EEA national, you may apply as their de facto partner. You will need to show substantial proof of your relationship, such as shared accommodation, finances, or joint travel history.

Dependent Child

A dependent child of a non-EEA national residing in Ireland can apply to live with their parent. Dependents are usually considered minors under 18 or, in some cases, adult children in full-time education who remain financially dependent.

Dependent Parent

If you are a dependent parent of a non-EEA adult child who legally resides in Ireland, you may be able to apply to join them. These cases are assessed carefully, and financial dependency must be clearly demonstrated.

Other Family Members

Extended or non-nuclear family members (such as siblings or adult dependents) may, in exceptional cases, be eligible to join a non-EEA national living in Ireland. Such applications must provide strong evidence of dependency and compelling humanitarian or compassionate grounds.

Family of a Minister of Religion

If your family member is a Minister of Religion working in Ireland, they may be permitted to bring their spouse or dependent children under specific conditions set out by the Department of Justice.

Conditions and supporting documents

Applicants must demonstrate:

Proof of relationship (marriage, birth, or partnership documents)

Evidence of dependency, where applicable

Proof of your sponsor’s legal residence and employment in Ireland

Financial capacity of the sponsor to support family members without recourse to public funds

Medical insurance coverage for all applicants

Police clearance certificate(s) issued within the last six months

Each category of application may have additional requirements depending on your relationship to the sponsor and their residence permission.:

Application Process

Initial Consultation:

A detailed discussion of your situation and eligibility based on your relationship type.

Advice on Process and Documentation:

Guidance on which category applies to you, what documents to prepare, and how to meet financial or dependency criteria.

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Document Review and Application Preparation:

Our team completes and submits your online application and supporting legal submissions.

Liaison and Representation:

We liaise with the relevant immigration authorities and provide you with regular updates until a final decision is made

Why work with Gibson & Associates LLP

Our immigration team provides a complete legal service to make your application process clear, stress-free, and compliant with Irish law.

Why choose Us?

Our expertise (decades of in-depth knowledge and familiarity with application process).

We can provide expert guidance throughout the application process, helping you navigate requirements and address common challenges to present the strongest possible case.

Our legal teams will identify and utilise relevant legislation and case law that may impact your individual application.

Our Dedicated Immigration Team

Daireann Gibson
Managing Partner

Amanda Walsh
Partner

Helen Moakley
Senior Solicitor

Kellie McLaughlin
Solicitor

Maura Kavanagh
Solicitor

Sharon Shaw
Legal Manager

Leanne Mclean
Immigration Consultant

Megan McKeon
Immigration Consultant 

Aisling Harden
Senior Legal Support

Lorna Pyper
Senior Legal Support 

Irene Ayaru
Senior Legal Support 

Jade Mullhern
Immigration Consultant

Stacey McGrath
Legal Support

Laura Phelan
Legal Support

Kevina McFadden
Legal Support

Karley Keane
Legal Support

Join Family Visa FAQ's

1. What is the Join Family Visa in Ireland?

The Join Family Visa in Ireland allows certain non-EEA nationals to join a close family member who is legally living in Ireland. It is part of Ireland’s family reunification system and applies to spouses, partners, children, and other dependent relatives subject to the Department of Justice’s Revised Family Reunification Policy.

2. Who can apply for a Join Family Visa?

People who can apply for a Join Family Visa typically include spouses, civil partners, de facto partners, dependent children, and in some cases elderly dependent parents or other family members. Eligibility depends on the relationship with the sponsor, the sponsor’s immigration status in Ireland, and the sponsor’s capacity to comply with financial criteria.

3. When can I join my family member in Ireland?

When you can join your family member in Ireland depends on the immigration permission held by your sponsor. Some categories allow family reunification immediately, while others may require the sponsor to live and work in Ireland for a certain period before family members can apply.

4. What documents do I need for a Join Family Visa?

The documents required for a Join Family Visa usually include a valid passport, proof of relationship (such as marriage or birth certificates), evidence of the sponsor’s legal residence in Ireland, financial documentation, and accommodation details.

5. What proof of relationship must I provide?

The proof of relationship required depends on the family category. For example, spouses must provide a marriage certificate, civil partners must provide partnership documentation, and de facto partners must show evidence of a durable relationship such as records of living together. Other evidence such as call records, text messages, evidence of visits and regular communication is also recommended.

6. Do de facto partners qualify for a Join Family Visa?

Yes, de facto partners can qualify for a Join Family Visa if they can show that they have been in a genuine and durable relationship, usually supported by evidence of at least two years of living together.

7. Can I join my Irish citizen spouse in Ireland?

Yes, you can apply to join your Irish citizen spouse in Ireland through the family reunification process. You will need to show proof of the relationship, meet financial requirements, and demonstrate that the relationship is genuine.

8. Can I join a non-EEA partner living and working in Ireland?

Yes, you may be able to join a non-EEA partner living in Ireland, depending on their immigration permission and whether they meet the financial requirements. Certain work permits and residence permissions allow family reunification under Irish immigration rules.

9. Can UK nationals sponsor family members to join them in Ireland?

Yes, UK nationals living in Ireland may sponsor certain family members to join them under Ireland’s post-Brexit immigration arrangements, provided the family relationship, , financial eligibility and other qualifying criteria are met. A separate Policy applies to family reunification with UK Citizen family members.

10. Can I join my family member if they are an EU citizen living in Ireland?

Yes, you can join a family member who is an EU citizen living in Ireland under EU Treaty Rights rules. Eligible family members typically include spouses, partners, dependent children, and sometimes other dependent relatives and members of an EU Citizen’s Household

Case Studies

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