Join Family Visa

To obtain a Long Stay ‘D’ Join Family Visa for Ireland, you must be sponsored by a qualifying family member who is legally residing in Ireland. Eligible sponsors include:

• Spouse
• Civil partner
• De facto partner
• Parent

The sponsor must meet specific financial thresholds before applying. These income requirements vary depending on:

• The sponsor’s immigration status in Ireland
• The nature of the relationship with the applicant

If the sponsor holds:

• An Employment Permit (excluding Critical Skills)
• A Stamp 4 permission

Then they must have resided in Ireland for at least 12 months before family reunification can be requested.

Meeting these criteria is essential for a successful application. Professional legal support can help ensure all conditions are met and documented accurately.

Documents Required for a Join Family Visa Application

Join Family visa applications must be submitted through the AVATS online application system by the individual seeking to join their family member in Ireland. The following supporting documents are required:

• Two recent (within the last six months) colour passport-sized photographs
• Current passport and complete copies of all previous passports
• A signed cover letter including your full contact details
• Evidence of your sponsor’s legal status in Ireland
• Documentary proof of your relationship with the sponsor
• Evidence of your personal financial situation
• Evidence of your sponsor’s financial circumstances, demonstrating they meet the minimum income threshold
• Proof of your dependency on the sponsor (if applicable)
• Valid medical/travel insurance
• Details of any previous visa refusals (if applicable)

There is no specific visa exclusively for spouses and civil partners. Anyone from a visa-required country who wants to join their spouse or civil partner who is legally residing in Ireland must apply for a Join Family visa — a type of Long Stay ‘D’ visa.

Irish nationals do not have an automatic right to bring spouses and civil partners to live with them in Ireland. If you are a non-EEA/non-Swiss citizen and your spouse or civil partner is an Irish citizen, you must obtain immigration permission to join them. If you’re from a visa-required country, you must apply for a Join Family visa before traveling. Once in Ireland, you must apply for residency permission under the Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish National Scheme.

To apply for a Join Family visa, you must provide: Two recent colour passport-sized photographs Your current passport and full copies of all previous passports A signed letter of application Details of your sponsor’s status and eligibility Marriage or civil partnership certificate Evidence of the sponsor’s earnings Evidence of dependency, if applicable Proof of medical/travel insurance

Whether you can join a family member in Ireland—and the type of immigration permission you need—depends on your nationality and your family member’s (sponsor’s) status in Ireland.

You do not need a visa to live, work, or study in Ireland. You are free to join your family member at any time.

You will need the appropriate immigration permission. If you are from a visa-required country, you must apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ Join Family Visa—or equivalent—based on your sponsor’s status:

• Irish citizen sponsor → Apply for a Long Stay Join Family Visa
• EEA/Swiss (non-Irish) sponsor → You may qualify under EU Treaty Rights
• Non-EEA/non-Swiss sponsor → Apply for a Long Stay Join Family Visa
• UK citizen sponsor → Apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ Join Family (UK National) Visa or obtain preclearance
• Sponsor with protected status → Apply for family reunification via the Department of Justice

Due to the complexity of these rules, professional guidance is strongly recommended to ensure you apply under the correct immigration category.

You will need a Join Family visa if you are not a citizen of the UK, Switzerland, or an EEA member state and your family member (sponsor) is:

• An Irish citizen – you must apply for a long stay Join Family visa.
• An EEA/Swiss national (not Irish) – you may qualify under EU Treaty Rights.
• A non-EEA/non-Swiss national – you will need a long stay Join Family visa.
• A UK citizen – you’ll need either preclearance or a Join Family (UK National) Visa, depending on your country of residence.
• A person with protected status – applications must go through the Department of Justice.

Join Family visas are among the most complex types of Irish immigration visas. Eligibility criteria vary depending on individual circumstances, and a significant amount of supporting documentation is required. Visa Officers closely examine evidence of your relationship, financial dependency, and income. Failure to provide sufficient proof may result in a refusal—an outcome that can be distressing when your goal is to reunite with your loved ones.

To give your application the best chance of success, contact our experienced immigration solicitors. We specialise in Irish immigration law and have successfully assisted numerous families with Join Family visa applications. We understand how important it is to be together, and we are committed to helping you every step of the way.

When you contact our team, we will:

• Explain the eligibility requirements relevant to your specific situation
• Help you determine whether you or your family member qualify to join each other in Ireland
• Clarify the financial thresholds that must be met by the sponsor
• Advise on the exact documentation you need to include

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we can manage the entire application process on your behalf. Although the process can seem overwhelming, we will make it as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Get in Touch

We work with clients worldwide and are available outside of Irish business hours. Communication is available via phone, email, or WhatsApp.

Call us on 01 901 1355, email info@rnlsolicitors.ie, or complete our Free Online Enquiry Form. You can also request a call back at a time that suits you.

A family member may be sponsored for a visa by an individual who is lawfully residing in Ireland under one of the following categories:

• An Irish citizen
• A non-Irish EU/EEA citizen
• A non-EU/EEA national lawfully resident in Ireland on the basis of an Employment Permit
• A foreign national holding Stamp 4 or Stamp 5 immigration permission
• A researcher residing in Ireland under a Hosting Agreement
• A PhD student enrolled in an accredited Irish programme
• A Minister of Religion holding Stamp 3 immigration permission

If you are lawfully residing in Ireland and meet the relevant eligibility requirements, the following family members may be eligible to join you:

• Your spouse
• Your de facto partner (with whom you have lived in a committed relationship for at least two years)
• Your civil partner
• Your children, including adopted children
• Your step-children, provided they are permanent members of your household
• Elderly parents of either you or your spouse/partner

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