International-protection family reunification — partner

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Ireland Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A civil or de facto partner qualifies where the relationship existed before the sponsor applied for protection in Ireland.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The list sits after a note on 2015 Act applications; the page does not state explicitly whether it applies unchanged to 2026 Act applications.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
Your civil or de facto partner , once the relationship existed before you applied as a refugee in Ireland

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

A holder of a current declaration as Convention refugee, Programme refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection under the International Protection Act 2026; the sponsor cannot apply until 2 years after the grant of protection.

See recorded sources

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
You can apply for family reunification under the International Protection Act 2026 if you have received a current declaration as a: Convention Refugee Programme Refugee or Beneficiary of Subsidiary Protection.
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
Following their grant of international protection, sponsors will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a defined period of 2 years. For example, if the date you received your declaration was 30 June 2026, then you must wait to make your application for family reunification on or after 1 July 2028.

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

After the initial written application, ISD sends a questionnaire, to be returned within 28 days, which lists the documents/evidence required. The official page does not state the specific relationship documents.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The specific relationship documents are not listed on the page; they are set out in the questionnaire.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
When we receive all of the information listed above, we will send you a family reunification questionnaire. You should complete the questionnaire within 28 days and return it to us. The questionnaire will list the documents/evidence you will need to supply in support of your application.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The sponsor must show they can support the family without becoming a burden on the State, as set out in S.I. 251, 252 and 253 of 2026. The official page does not state specific income, accommodation or insurance thresholds.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The detailed thresholds are in S.I. 251-253 of 2026, which were not captured.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
Under the Act, you must also demonstrate that you can support your family without becoming a burden on the State. Please see S.I. 251 of 2026 , S.I. 252 of 2026 , S.I. 253 of 2026

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Family reunification gives the family member an immigration permission to live in Ireland with the protection holder. If approved, a grant letter covers travel documents, visas and registration on arrival. The permission can be withdrawn if the family does not enter by the date in the grant letter, the sponsor loses protection status or right to remain, false information was given, or for national security or public policy reasons. The official page does not state the permission type, its duration or any path to independent or longer-term status.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Permission type, duration and any route to independent/long-term status are not stated on the page.

https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
Family reunification under the International Protection Act 2026 gives certain family members an immigration permission allowing them to live in Ireland with the holder of an international protection declaration.
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
If your application is approved, we will issue you with a grant letter. This letter will give you all the details you will need in relation to: Obtaining travel documents for your family Obtaining visas for your family Registering your family with the Garda National Immigration Bureau or Immigration Service Delivery Registration Office on arrival in the State.
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/family-reunification-of-international-protection-holders/
A family reunification permission can be withdrawn: If your family does not enter Ireland by the date mentioned in our grant letter If you no longer hold a declaration as a refugee or beneficiary of Subsidiary Protection If you are no longer allowed to remain in the State If you give false or misleading information or documents In the interest of National Security or public policy.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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International-protection family reunification — partner

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.