Are you planning to join your spouse or civil partner in Ireland for more than three months? We’re here to help make that possible.
If you’re from a visa-required country, you’ll need to apply for a Long Stay ‘D’ Join Family Visa before you travel. The process includes detailed requirements, sponsor criteria, and income thresholds that must be met.
At R&A Immigration Consultants, we specialize in family reunification under Irish immigration law. Whether your partner is an Irish citizen, an EEA national, or holds legal residence through work or study, we’ll guide you every step of the way — making sure your application is accurate and stress-free.
Our Join Spouse or Civil Partner Visa service covers:
Eligibility Confirmation
Sponsor Requirement Review
Income Threshold Assessment
Full Application Submission
Registration Support After Arrival
We’re available outside regular Irish office hours and can connect with you by phone, email, or WhatsApp — wherever you are.
Call us on +353 89 970 9212, email info@ra.ie, or fill in the Free Online Enquiry Form. You can also request a call back, and we’ll get in touch at a time that suits you.
Yes, if your child is an Irish citizen and lives in Ireland, you can apply for permission to remain in the country as their parent. You must meet certain conditions, including proving you’re actively involved in your child’s life.
If you’re from a visa-required country, yes — you’ll need a visa before travelling. Our team can help you apply for the correct visa and ensure everything is submitted properly.
Typical documents include your child’s birth certificate, proof of address, your passport, and evidence that you’re involved in their upbringing (financially or emotionally). If your name is not on the birth certificate, DNA evidence may be required.
Yes. If granted, you’ll likely receive Stamp 4 permission, which allows you to work, start a business, and count time toward Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Unfortunately, there is no appeals process, but you can reapply. The ISD will inform you of the reason for refusal. We can help you correct any issues and resubmit your application.
If you’re already in Ireland on a Stamp 1, 2, or 3, or entered on a “D Reside Parent of an Irish Citizen Child” visa, the process is more straightforward. You’ll need to visit your local immigration office with:
Your passport and your child’s passport
Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or GNIB card
Your child’s birth certificate
Proof of your residence in Ireland (e.g. utility bills)
Proof of your child’s residence (e.g. GP letter)
If you’re currently outside Ireland or do not have legal residence, you must apply to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) using the Form RES3.
You may be granted permission to live in Ireland if:
You are the biological parent of an Irish citizen child
Your child is under 18 years old (or over 18 with a serious disability)
Your child lives full time in Ireland
You are actively involved in the child’s upbringing – emotionally, financially, or both
You are named on your child’s birth certificate
The timing of your Join Family visa application depends on your sponsor’s immigration status. Sponsors are classified into two categories:
Category A Sponsors
Individuals in this category may sponsor their spouse or partner immediately. This includes:
- Irish and EEA citizens
- Critical Skills Employment Permit holders
- Investors and Business Permit holders
- Approved Entrepreneurs
- Researchers under a Hosting Agreement
- Intra-Company Transferees
- Students on approved scholarship programmes
- PhD students
- Full-time, non-locum doctors
Category B Sponsors
Applicants with sponsors in this category must wait 12 months before applying for a Join Family visa. This includes:
- General (non-Critical Skills) Employment Permit holders
- Stamp 4 holders not covered by more favourable arrangements
- Ministers of Religion
Our immigration solicitors can advise you on your sponsor’s classification and when you are eligible to apply.
<p>If you are an immediate family member of an Irish citizen or a holder of a Critical Skills Employment Permit, you will typically be granted Stamp 4 immigration permission. This permits you to work in Ireland without the need for an employment permit.</p>
<p>For all other categories of Join Family visa holders, dependent status applies. In such cases, you must obtain an employment permit before engaging in any employment in Ireland.</p>
Student visa applications must be submitted through the AVATS online application system. You may complete the application yourself or instruct our immigration solicitors to manage the process on your behalf.
The application should be submitted after you have enrolled in your course and paid your tuition fees, but before travelling to Ireland. Failure to do so may result in refusal of entry upon arrival.
As part of the application process, you must provide the following documentation:
- Application summary form (generated via AVATS)
- Signed cover letter outlining your study plans
- Two recent colour passport-sized photographs (taken within the last six months)
- Your current passport and full copies of all previous passports
- Evidence of enrolment on a privately funded course (e.g., acceptance letter)
- Documentation explaining any gaps in your educational history
- Proof of tuition fee payment to the academic institution
- Evidence of your proficiency in English or Irish (typically through an approved language test)
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Ireland
- Evidence of private medical insurance
- Details of any previous visa refusals, if applicable
Additional documentation is required for applicants under 18 years of age, including:
- Birth certificate
- Parental or legal guardian consent
All documents must be in English or Irish, or accompanied by a certified translation into one of these languages.
Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by a Visa Officer, who will assess whether to approve your request for a study visa. If approved, you will be permitted to travel to Ireland.
Your visa will outline the duration of your authorised stay. While student visas can be renewed, non-EEA nationals may remain in Ireland on a study visa for a maximum cumulative period of seven years.
If you are enrolled in a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), you will be granted a Stamp 2 permission in your passport. This allows you to:
- Work up to 20 hours per week during academic term time
- Work up to 40 hours per week during official holiday periods
If you need assistance applying for a student visa to Ireland, our experienced immigration consultant can guide you through the entire process.
Yes, in most cases, you are required to demonstrate your proficiency in English to obtain a student visa for Ireland. This is typically done by submitting the results of an approved English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent.
The exact requirements may depend on your course and institution. You should ensure that your test scores meet the minimum standards set by both your academic institution and Irish immigration authorities.
Exceptions may apply if you have completed previous education in English or are from a country where English is the primary language. However, supporting documentation will still be required.
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If your spouse or civil partner has been granted refugee status in Ireland, the process differs slightly. In such cases, the sponsor must first apply for Family Reunification. Once this application is approved, you may then apply for a long stay Join Family (D) visa to join them in Ireland.