Non-Irish De Facto Partner

Your de facto partner must apply for and be granted a visa or preclearance before they can come to Ireland. This applies to citizens of both visa-required countries and non-visa required countries, though the process differs slightly depending on this.

The application is made through the Irish AVATS online visa system. When your partner selects their country of nationality when filling in the application, the system will prompt them to select from a series of options under ‘what is the reason for travel?’:

• If your de facto partner is a citizen of a visa-required country, they should select ‘Join Family (Irish nat.) (de facto partner)’
• If your de facto partner is citizen of a non-visa required country, they should select ‘Preclearance – Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner)’

Visa and preclearance processes can take months, so be sure to plan your return accordingly. Current processing times in the Dublin visa office are published here. Your partner can save their progress and exit the visa/preclearance form for up to 30 days after starting.

Once your partner completes an online application, they must submit a printed and signed application along with supporting documentation within 30 days. The process for submitting supporting documentation depends on where the applicant applies from. Instructions will be listed on the printed confirmation, but we recommend contacting local Irish embassy or consulate to find out any specific instructions and requirements prior to submitting. When shipping documentation, we always advise using registered post or a service that offers tracking.

Decisions, Refusals, and Appeals: Regardless of the outcome, your partner will be informed via letter of the decision on their visa application. If your partner’s application is refused, they can appeal this decision within eight weeks of the refusal letter. Contact our office if you need support on appeals.

Once your partner’s application is approved, they can travel to Ireland. The visa or preclearance letter is typically valid for six months. If your partner does not travel to Ireland within this period, they must submit a new application – be sure to factor this into your plans.

Upon arrival at passport control in Ireland, your partner should tell the immigration officer that they plan to apply for residency in Ireland based on their de facto partnership with an Irish citizen. They should provide the officer with their:

• Valid passport
• Preclearance letter
• Visa (if required)

It can also be useful to have other supporting documents ready, including bank statements, job offers, proof of address, and more. However, you do not need to give these to the immigration officer unless requested.

If possible, we recommend that you travel to Ireland with your partner, accompanying them through border control in the non-EU queue. If you cannot arrive with your partner, make sure that they have your contact details – a copy of your Irish passport can also ease this process.

Once the immigration officer is satisfied with the information provided, they will place a landing stamp in your partner’s passport giving them entry permission to stay in Ireland up until the date indicated (usually a maximum of 90 days).

Once in Ireland, your partner will need to register for permission to live and work here based on your relationship. They must register within 90 days or before the date on their entry stamp—whichever comes first.

To register for immigration permission for the first time, your partner must first create their own personal Digital Contact Centre account. This account can be set up from any country, but make sure the phone number used for two-factor authentication will be active in Ireland. Once this is set up, they can make an appointment online to register in-person at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Since 13 January 2025, this process is the same for applicants living in all counties.

You as the Irish citizen must attend the registration appointment with your partner, and have your Irish passport with you. When attending their appointment at the Registration Office, your partner must bring:

• Their original passport,
• A printed and completed copy of the address form attached to their appointment confirmation email,
• Printed copies of the required relevant supporting documentation (e.g. Proof of joint address in Ireland, Proof of the Irish de facto partner’s finances: €75,000 gross income [pre-tax] over past three years [€25,000 per year], Evidence of your partner’s pre-clearance permission or entry visa, Private Medical or Travel Insurance valid for 12 months – or for the duration of their stay if less than 12 months),
• A credit or debit card which will be used to pay the relevant registration fee (cash or contactless payments are not accepted).

More information on registering for immigration permission for the first time is available on the Irish Immigration site.

Generally, registration is a straightforward process, but make sure you are prepared. In some cases, if you and your partner do not provide adequate documentation, your spouse may be asked to make a written application for residency which can take twelve months to process. If this happens, contact our office if you need support.

If residency permission is granted, your partner will be given a Stamp 4 which grants them permission to live and work in Ireland for the length of time stated on the stamp in their passport. They will also be issued an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card via post. Make a note of the date at which this permission must be renewed.

Be sure that your partner informs ISD of any change of address within two days of moving. If circumstances change (for example, if your relationship status changes), they also must inform ISD.

Renewal of immigration residence permission

When it is time for your partner to renew their immigration permission, they should do so online using the ISD online renewal portal (as of November 4, 2024). This can be done up to 12 weeks before the expiry date on their Immigration Residence Permit (IRP) card. Read more about the process here.

Citizenship

If you have been married for at least three years and your spouse resided for at least three of the last five years, they may be eligible for Irish citizenship by naturalisation. Learn more about eligibility and applying for citizenship on the Citizens Information website.