De facto partner of an Irish citizen

If you are in a committed, long term relationship with your de facto partner who is an Irish national, and wish to join them in Ireland, please read here to see if you are eligible and the conditions that apply.

7.12 The de facto partner must not be related to the sponsor by family, must be at least 18 years of age at the time of their application for family reunification and the relationship must be exclusive for the full duration of the qualifying period.

6.2 Category A Sponsor: Irish national residing or intending to reside in Ireland. (Waiting Period: no waiting period, so can apply for family reunification at any time).

Your sponsor must provide a full colour copy of all pages (including blank pages) of their current Irish passport.

Evidence of cohabitation of 2 years or more must be provided, for example If renting: a letter from landlord or agency, rental contract or book, dated tenancy agreement If home owner: evidence of mortgage, house ownership (for example property deeds) Utility bills from both the applicant and the sponsor Proof of rent paid, or mortgage payments, for example dated bank statements.

If a couple claim they have maintained their relationship during the two year period by merely visiting each other as often as they can, this will not be sufficient to demonstrate a committed de facto relationship.

You must both provide a detailed relationship history supported by verifiable documentary evidence. This must include the date you commenced the relationship and the date you commenced cohabitation.

This can be demonstrated by providing, for example, evidence of transfer receipts, joint accounts, joint purchases, joint assets, or loans.

Category A sponsors (e.g. Irish citizens) must have earned a gross income over and above any State benefits of not less than €75,000 , cumulative, over the three-year period prior to application (e.g. €25,000 per year over three years), with the expectation that this level of income will be maintained.

All sponsors must not have been mainly reliant on State supports from the Irish State for a continuous period of two years or longer immediately prior to application.

You must be covered by private medical insurance, from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority for the duration of your time in the State. Your sponsor may include you in their group insurance scheme if applicable. Travel insurance may suffice, but only during the first year of your stay, provided it covers you: For the full period before you arrange private medical insurance At a minimum of €25,000 for accident and €25,000 for illness and disease and For any period of hospitalisation

You must provide documentary evidence of where you will reside in Ireland. If you are seeking accommodation after your proposed date of arrival, you must tell us where you will stay while searching for accommodation and provide evidence of this. Your sponsor must not be resident in homeless accommodation, other State funded emergency accommodation, accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), social housing or local authority housing, and may not be eligible if they are in receipt of a social housing support, such as the Housing Assistance Payment.

To apply under this scheme, you must apply for a visa or preclearance before you travel to Ireland.

Non-visa required nationals will apply for a preclearance letter of approval Visa-required nationals will apply for a long stay ‘D’ visa.

Permission to remain in Ireland as the de facto partner of an Irish national allows you to seek employment in the State without the need to obtain a separate work permit, subject to compliance with all other immigration requirements that apply in individual cases. The duration of the permission initially granted to you will be for 1 year subject to the conditions below. To renew this permission, apply online , subject to the person meeting all the necessary qualifying criteria under this procedure. Permission to enter the State as the de facto partner of an Irish national allows you to: Work Do voluntary work Study Travel abroad for short periods (for example holidays and attending conferences) and return to Ireland Bring immediate family members (dependents) with you, meaning in this case minor children under 18 years of age. With this permission you cannot : Bring any other family members, apart from those referred to above Remain in Ireland under this permission if your Irish partner stops residing in the country Retain your permission if your relationship ends Rely on public funds or resources.

If your partner is an Irish national, you may be granted permission for one year on a Stamp 4.

16.2 A spouse, civil partner, de facto partner or dependent minor child may apply for an independent permission having resided lawfully in the State for at least five (5) years, or where their sponsor naturalises as an Irish citizen41. This should be done at the next online renewal of their permission. 16.3 In the event of divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership or separation (legal or otherwise), a spouse/partner may apply to ISD for a change of status42 to an independent permission if they have been in a subsisting relationship with the sponsor for at least three (3) years prior to the end of the relationship; with the two (2) most recent years spent residing in Ireland.