These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

Applications for family reunification made by Irish citizens are subject to the criteria set out in the Government Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification: New Family Reunification Document. 

If your family member is already within the State, you can make an application to the Immigration Service depending on the nature of the family relationship, for example: spouse, child, sister, parents etc. For further detailed information, please contact our Information and Support Centre.

Family reunification occurs from outside the State by making a ‘D Visa’ application through the Irish Embassy in the country in which your family member currently lives.

Please note: Visa-required family members who are outside Ireland must first apply for an entry visa into the State.

The financial circumstances of the sponsor will be considered along with the type of family member who wishes to apply.

In order to sponsor a dependent spouse, an Irish citizen is required to have earned a cumulative total gross income of not less than €40,000 over the previous three years prior to the application, and to have not been reliant on state benefits. Detailed documentary evidence of the history of the familial relationship and financial dependency are also required.

These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

EU citizens who are exercising their free movement rights having moved to Ireland have a legal right to apply for family members to join them in Ireland.

As an EU citizen, you must show that you are exercising your free movement rights by working, being self-employed, in studies, or that you have sufficient resources.

Family members of EU citizens are divided into qualifying and permitted categories.

Qualifying family members include spouse/civil partner, children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents.

Permitted family members include de facto partners, dependent family members, and members of the EU citizen household or dependent family members on medical grounds. 

An application for a residence card can be made through the EU Treaty Rights Section. Qualifying family members are required to complete the appropriate form.

The different types of application forms and lists of required supporting documents can be found here: EU Treaty Rights.

Visa applications can be made through the online system on the Immigration Service Website.

Then you will need to submit the relevant supporting documents to the designated Irish Embassy or consulate. Processing times vary depending on the nature of application and the supporting documents you submitted.

You are entitled to receive written explanation of the refusal from the visa section, and you have the right to appeal the refusal within two months of receiving the letter of refusal.

These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

Your right to family reunification will depend on the nature of your immigration status in the State. 

Some non-EEA nationals who have legal permission in the State may be entitled to family reunification for a particular family member. Visa-required family members must apply for an entry visa into the State from the Embassy in their country of origin.

Your application for family reunification as a Non-EEA national is subject to the criteria set out in the Government Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification.

The different categories are outlined here: Family Reunification Policy.

Irish citizens, Refugees,  and subsidiary protection order must have a current immigration status and satisfy the financial requirements.

No waiting period, category A sponsors are eligible to submit an application for family reunification at any time.

Critical Skills  Permit,  Entrepreneurs with a permission under the STEP, PhD student ,  researcher and hosting agreement, ISD- approved scholarship programme students, Intra-company transferees. Full-time non-locum doctors in employment and Minister of religion.

For further information on your individual circumstances please contact the Information and Support Centre.

Category B sponsors are eligible to immediate family reunification with nuclear family members.

There is a waiting period of 2 years for category B sponsors to submit applications for dependant parents or dependant adult children

General Employment Permit holders, Reactivation Employment Permit holders, Stamp 4 Undocumented scheme , and other stamps not covered above.

For further information on your individual circumstances please contact the Information and Support Centre.

May apply after 12 months on an eligible permission for Category C Sponsors to submit an application for family reunification with nuclear family members, and 5 years in respect of any other family members.

Visa applications can be made through the online system on the ISD website. Then you will need to submit the relevant supporting documents to the designated Irish Embassy or consulate.

Processing times vary depending on the nature of application and the supporting documents you submitted.

You are entitled to receive written explanation of the refusal from the visa section, and you have the right to appeal the refusal within two months of receiving the letter of refusal.