Non-Irish Spouse

Depending on your spouse’s nationality, your spouse may require a visa to travel to Ireland. You can check if your spouse needs a visa here.

• If your spouse is a citizen of a visa-required country, they will need to apply for a Join Family Member (D) visa online and have their Irish visa approved before they can come to Ireland. This visa process can take several months, so plan and apply well in advance of your return. The process for submitting supporting documentation varies by where the applicant applies from: we strongly recommend checking the local embassy or consulate website for specific instructions and requirements prior to making an application
• If your spouse is a citizen of a non-visa required country, they can travel directly to Ireland without applying for a visa beforehand. However, it is important to ensure that you meet the key criteria for bringing a spouse prior to moving to Ireland

Upon arrival in Ireland, your spouse should tell the immigration officer that they plan to apply for residency in Ireland based on their marriage to an Irish citizen. They should provide the officer with their:

• Valid passport
• Marriage certificate
• 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 travelling to Ireland together and accompanying your spouse through border control in the non-EU queue. If you are not travelling with your spouse, make sure that they have your contact details. Having 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 spouse’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 spouse will need to register for permission to live and work here based on your marriage. They must register within 90 days or before the date on their entry stamp—whichever comes first. This is the case even if your spouse did not require a visa to enter Ireland.

To register for immigration permission for the first time, your spouse 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 spouse, and have your Irish passport with you. When attending their appointment at the Registration Office, your spouse 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 Irish spouse’s finances: €75,000 gross income [pre-tax] over past three years [€25,000 per year], Original marriage certificate [not a photocopy], 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 spouse 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 spouse 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.

If you move within Ireland, make sure that your spouse informs ISD of any change of address within two days of moving. If family circumstances change (for example, if your relationship breaks down), they also must inform ISD.

Renewal of immigration residence permission

When it is time for your spouse 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.