irish visit family visa

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Visas for tourists visiting Ireland

Who needs a short-stay visa for ireland, how to apply for a short-stay visa, documents to send for a short-stay visa, decisions and appeals, can i stay longer than 3 months, further information.

If you plan to visit Ireland, you should check if you need a visa .

This page has information on how to apply for a short-stay visa. This is also called a ‘C’ visa and is usually valid for up to 90 days from the issue date of the visa. You apply for a C visa if you plan to come to Ireland:

• For tourism
• To visit family or friends
• To get married
• For medical treatment
• For short-term study

If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or UK and you do not need a visa to come to Ireland, you still need to have documents with you to show the reason for your visit. You must present yourself at immigration when you enter Ireland.

Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You apply for a visa online. You complete a separate application for each person travelling, including children. After you have submitted the visa form, you have 30 days to send the supporting documents. It’s a good idea to prepare your documents before completing the form.

You pay a fee of €60 for each application. A multiple entry visa costs €100.

When you have submitted the form, you will get a summary of your application. This includes:

• Your visa application transaction number
• Your application summary sheet
• Details of the application office where you should send your documents

You send the signed summary sheet with your documents.

You must send documents in support of your application. This section has information on the main documents you need to send. You can get more information about documentation on the Irish Immigration Delivery website.

You must send original documents (not photocopies). If your documents are not in English, you must send a certified translation and the original document.

Birth, marriage and death certificates will be returned to you. If you want other pages returned to you, you should include a note with your application that says this. Send a photocopy (in addition to the original) of the page you want returned to you.

If your visa is approved, you must get travel insurance before you travel to Ireland.

Letter of application

You must write a letter that explains why you want to come to Ireland. You should give the details of your trip, including the dates you plan to be here, where you will stay and how you will pay for things while you are here.

You must say in your letter that you will:

• Obey the conditions of your visa in full
• Leave Ireland before your visa expires
• Not rely on public services or become a burden on the State

If you are visiting friends or family your letter should also have:

• Their names and addresses
• The names and addresses of any of your family who live in Ireland or another country in the EEA or Switzerland, even if you do not plan to visit them

Letter of invitation

If you are visiting someone in Ireland, you should send a letter of invitation written by them. The letter should have information about how they know you, the dates you are visiting them and why they are inviting you to Ireland.

They should include a colour copy of their passport or national identity card. If they are from outside the EEA, Switzerland and UK, they must include a copy of their Irish Resident Permit and the current immigration stamp in their passport.

The letter must also say that they understand you must:

Information about where you will stay

You must include the details of where you will stay. You should include printouts of your booking confirmations. If you are staying with friends, family or colleagues, see ‘letter of invitation’ above.

You must send your current passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland. You must also send a photocopy of each page of all of your previous passports.

Proof of finances

You must show that you have the money you need for your trip. If someone else is paying for your visit (for example a family member), you should send documents to show that they can afford to pay for you.

You don’t need to have a particular or set amount of money to qualify for a short-stay visa.

Passport photos

Include 2 passport photos. You must sign your name and put your visa application transaction number on the back of each photo.

Show that you must return home

You must show that you have strong ties to your home country and that you must return home. This could be family responsibilities, work, education or something else. You should send proof of these responsibilities. For example, if you are working you should send a letter from your employer and recent payslips.

You can read more details of the documents you need on the Immigration Service Delivery website.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you can check visa decisions and waiting times . If you sent your application somewhere else, you can contact the embassy or consulate you sent your documents to for updates on your application. Applications take around 8 weeks, but may take longer.

If your visa application is successful, the visa office will post your passport back to you with the visa attached. The visa will be valid for a particular period. Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You will get a letter that says why your visa application was refused. You can appeal this decision within 2 months.

You are expected to leave the State on or before the date which has been stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer when you entered.

You can only extend your visa if there is an unexpected change in your circumstances since you entered Ireland.

You cannot get an extension if:

• There is no change in circumstances from the time you entered Ireland
• There is no change in circumstances from the time you were granted a travel visa
• You are in Ireland to seek medical attention
• You are seeking a permission to marry in Ireland
• You are in Ireland to provide childcare facilities
• You wish to live in Ireland full time

Some people do not have to pay the visa fee .

A visa costs:

Single-journey visa : €60

Multiple-journey visa : €100

If you require a visa in order to visit Ireland, your application must be made online .

Irish embassies and consulates

Visa Office

Immigration Service Delivery 13-14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 D02 XK70 Ireland

Related documents

• Visas for people visiting Ireland on business Certain people who wish to travel to Ireland for business purposes require visas. Find out more. 1954.4292
• Student visas to study in Ireland People from certain countries who wish to study in Ireland require visas. Find out more. 1065.616
• Returning to Ireland to care for a family member This page includes information on returning to Ireland to care for a family member. 981.42474

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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Please be advised that this page has moved and this content is no longer being updated. Up-to-date information is now available at Ireland.ie/dfa/visas-for-ireland .

Visas for Ireland

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning of the existence of a fraudulent telephone phishing visa scam purporting to come from this Department seeking personal information and requesting significant cash amounts to process visas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not seek funds additional to the typical fee when processing visas. You will find advice on phishing scams on the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .  If you are a victim of such a crime report it to your local Garda Station and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service . January 2018

If you want to enter Ireland, you may need a visa. Find out more about getting a visa to come to Ireland .

In Ireland, the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service  (INIS) is primarily responsible for dealing with immigration and visa matters.

Requirements

Application, visa and documentation.

Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on what country you're from, see Schedule 1.

S.I. No 473 of 2014  groups countries into five different categories (schedules).

Note : A Schengen visa or UK visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. For exceptions to this, please see Schedules 2 and 3 below.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

Schedule 1 - Check if you need an Irish visa

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the INIS website .

Convention travel documents

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the INIS website for more information.

Schedule 2 - Visa waiver programme

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the INIS website , if so you may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

If not, you'll need to apply for an entry visa before you travel to Ireland.

Schedule 3 - British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the INIS website .

Schedule 4 - Transit Visas

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the INIS website .

Submitting your application

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the INIS website .

The processing times for visa applications vary depending on the visa type and the Office to which the application is lodged. Visa applications are considered in as speedy a manner as possible but timeframes for decision can be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of applications received and the resources available to process them at any one time.

While the vast majority of applications are dealt with within a much shorter timeframe it is recommended that applicants allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa. Just in case further enquiries have to be made, we advise you to apply for your visa 8 weeks before the date you plan to travel.

NOTE: Applicants planning on a long term or permanent stay in Ireland, such as, in the case of joint family visa applications, should be aware that they will require more in-depth consideration than short-stay visa applications and it is recommended applicants make their applications 12 weeks prior to their proposed dates of travel.

You need to:

1. Complete the online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

• Your appropriate Irish Embassy or Consulate
• The dedicated Visa Offices in Abu Dhabi, Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow and New Delhi & Ankara
• Direct to INIS, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland

If you submit false or misleading information in support of your application, it will result in the refusal of your visa application and may have a negative impact on any future applications made.

How long does it take?

If you’re applying for a business visa and it’s being processed in an Irish Embassy or Consulate, you should have a decision within 10 working days, provided all your documentation is in order.

Some categories of visa (eg Study, Visit or Join Family visas) can take longer, depending on the time of the year.

Tracking your application

Track your application by contacting the Embassy or Consulate to which it was submitted, quoting the reference number from your application.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should contact INIS directly .

Notification

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision has been made.

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

Need more information?

Visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries, contact the INIS Visa Section

What sort of Visa do I need?

A comprehensive list of the different visa types that are available, and the documentation required in respect of each, is available from the  INIS website .

For ease of reference, separate links for some of the most common visa types are set out below.

Travelling to Ireland as a tourist

If you are a Visa-required national and you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (90 days or less) you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Visit/Holiday Visa applications from  INIS .

For further information on tourism in Ireland please visit the website of  Tourism Ireland .

Travelling to Ireland as a Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens seeking to apply under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive)

Please refer to  INIS  for details and comprehensive information regarding these types of applications.

Travelling to Ireland on business

Business meeting.

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a business meeting you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Business Visa applications on  INIS .

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a conference, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Conference Visa applications on  INIS .

Starting a Business in Ireland

If you are a Visa-required national and you wish to set up a business in Ireland, you will require Business Permission from the Department of Justice and Equality, prior to applying for your visa. Find more information on the  INIS website .

Studying in Ireland

If you require an entry visa for Ireland and would like to study here, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Study Visa applications on  INIS .

For further information on studying in Ireland:

• Immigration Regime for Full Time Non-EEA Students
• Irish Council for International Students
• Immigration and Visas - A guide for international students

Standard visa fees

Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are:

Other charges

You may also have to pay communications charges.

More information

Contact your local Embassy or Consulate for more details on fees and payment methods.

No fee required

Some applicants don’t have to pay a fee for their visa. These include visa-required spouses and certain family members of EEA citizens (including Irish nationals). You must provide proof of the relationship with the application.

In addition, applicants from the countries listed on this page don’t have to pay a fee.

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries. Other charges

My application has been refused.

If your application has been refused and you still want to travel to Ireland, you can:

• Appeal the decision or
• Make a new application

If you decide to make a new application, your previous application history may be taken into account.

Appealing the decision

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on INIS .

Immigration control

A visa is a form of pre-entry clearance which allows for travel to Ireland. It does not guarantee permission to enter Ireland. Permission to enter Ireland is granted by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

All non-EEA citizens, whether they need a visa or not, will be subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry.

Additional documents

As well as your visa, an Immigration Officer may ask to see additional information such as:

• Accommodation bookings
• Return flights
• Contacts in Ireland

Length of stay

The Immigration Officer at the port of entry will decide your length of stay by stamping your passport; which will reflect the purpose of your journey and the amount of time you are allowed to stay in the State.

The validity period shown on your visa indicates the dates between which you must travel to Ireland. These dates are NOT the dates between which you’re permitted to remain in Ireland.

Staying over three months

If you need a visa to enter Ireland and you want to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a 'D' type visa before you travel. Permission to enter on the basis of a 'C' type visa will not give you permission to remain beyond a 90 day period.

Registration

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Conditions of your visa

Under Irish law, you’re not allowed to engage in any activity or to remain in Ireland for any purpose other than that for which your visa or permission to remain was granted.

Overstaying your visa

If you stay in Ireland longer than your permission to remain permits, you could be liable for prosecution and/or deportation.

Change of activity

If you want to undertake any activity in Ireland other than that for which your visa was granted you must leave the county and apply for a new visa. You can’t return to Ireland while you’re waiting for a decision on your new application.

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the  INIS website .

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the  INIS website  for more information.

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the  INIS website , if so you  may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the  INIS website .

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the  INIS website .

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the  INIS website .

1. Complete the  online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should  contact INIS directly .

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS  Visa Decision Weekly Listing  using your reference number.

Visit the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)  website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries,  contact the INIS Visa Section

Further information on visa fees and visa fee exemptions is available on the INIS website .

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries.

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on  INIS .

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must  register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau  and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Apply for a visa

Find out more about visas for Ireland from the Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service .

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Irish Family Visas

If your relative is an Irish citizen, you might be able to join them in Ireland using an Irish Family Visa. Find out more about eligibility requirements and the application process.

To receive assistance with your application for the Irish Family Visa, call our consultants today on 0330 828 4126.

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When it comes to obtaining an Ireland visa or permit, IAS Ireland immigration lawyers are well-equipped to help you.

With IAS’ track record of successfully helping clients visit or immigrate to Ireland successfully, we can help you achieve your goal.

Our dedicated immigration lawyers provide our services through a comprehensive and personalised approach. With IAS, you enjoy:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

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In-house document checks done by lawyers who are well-versed in Ireland immigration matters.

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Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

What is the Irish Join Family Visa?

The  Join Family Visa  is intended for non-EEA citizens who want to come to Ireland to join their family member and stay in the country for more than 90 days. For you to be able to come to Ireland under the Join Family Visa, your Irish relative has to agree to become your sponsor. Moreover, you need to meet a number of eligibility requirements and go through an application process that can be complex if you do not hire an immigration lawyer.

The Irish Join Family Visa is a  Long Stay ‘D’ Visa , which means that successful applicants can stay in Ireland for more than 3 months.

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, or a citizen of Switzerland, you do not need a visa to move to Ireland. To enter the country you simply need to show your passport or national id. Once in Ireland you can work and study without having to obtain an employment permit first.

What Irish Family Visas are there?

To be able to join your Irish family member in Ireland, you have to apply for the Join Family Long Stay ‘D’ Visa but there are several visas that are a part of it. These are:

• Spouse/Civil Partner Visa
• De Facto Partner Visa
• Adult Dependent Visa
• Child Dependent Visa
• Dependent of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder Visa.

When applying for the Join Family Long Stay ‘D’ Visa you have to specify which of these routes you want to use.

Irish citizens do not have the automatic rights to bring their non-EEA family members to Ireland so if you want to join them, you have to apply for an immigration permission prior to arriving in Ireland.

If you are not sure which visa is the right one for you, get in touch with our consultants. They will analyse your circumstances and will help you choose the most adequate permit.

What are the requirements for the Irish Family Visa?

To be able to receive the Irish Family Visa, you have to meet the following general eligibility requirements:

• You are related to a person who is an Irish citizen or is lawfully living in Ireland
• You have a valid passport
• You can provide evidence showing that your relative has the right to live in Ireland
• Your relative in Ireland has agreed to become your sponsor
• Your relatives have enough money to support you financially after you join them in Ireland.

Depending on the route you choose to apply for the Join Family Visa there might be additional requirements that you need to meet. For example, if you are applying as a spouse or civil partner, you have to prove that your relationship is genuine and that you intend to stay together after you arrive in Ireland.

As part of the application process you have to submit evidence showing that you meet the eligibility requirements. Our experts can help you gather all the documents and prepare a complete portfolio of evidence with all the documents that might be needed.

If you have any questions about your Irish Family Visa application, our team is happy to assist.

How to apply for an Irish Family Visa?

The first step of the application process for the Irish Family Visa requires you to submit an online application form where you provide personal details and explain what the purpose of your immigration to Ireland is.

Once you submit the form, you will see a web page with your application summary sheet. From the page you can find out where to send your supporting documents to. There, you can also find a number needed to track the progress in the processing of your application.

The next step is to pay your visa application fee, which depends on whether you are applying for a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa. If you want to receive the single entry permit, the fee is €60. For a multiple-entry one, you have to pay €100, however.

Then you have to gather all the required documents and send them to the right immigration office for processing.

How long you will have to wait to receive the decision depends on the complexity of your case and on your sponsor’s immigration status. If they are an Irish national, you should hear back within 6 months. If, however, your sponsor comes from a non-EEA country but is lawfully living in Ireland, the processing can take up to 12 months.

What documents do I have to include in the Irish Family Visa application?

When applying for the Irish Family Visa, you have to submit the following supporting documents:

• Printed, signed, and dated application summary sheet
• Signed application letter in which you explain why you want to come to Ireland and you provide your personal details and those of your sponsor
• Valid passport
• Two passport size photographs
• Receipt confirming that you paid the visa application fee
• Proof confirming your relationship with the Irish sponsor
• Evidence showing that your sponsor has enough money to support you financially after you join them in Ireland
• Details of your accommodation in Ireland.

All documents you submit have to be originals and they will be returned to you after immigration officers review them. Any documents that were issued in a language that is not English have to be translated by an official translator.

How can IAS help?

Our team of highly-qualified immigration consultants are committed to helping people reunite with their families living abroad. By entrusting us with your application for the Irish Family Visa instead of an immigration lawyer, you can be sure that it has been completed to the highest standard.

Our consultants can help you complete your application and gather all the required documents. They will answer any questions you might have and talk you through each step of the application process. Regardless of which Irish Family Visa route you want to use, our lawyers can assist.

Thanks to their guidance, you can be sure that you have done everything correctly. This way you can maximise your chances of a positive outcome.

Call us today on  0330 828 4126  to find out more about how our immigration consultants can help.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a sponsor to apply for the irish family visa.

Having a sponsor in Ireland is an important requirement of the Irish Family Visa. Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for it without a sponsor.

Individuals who can become your sponsor include:

• Irish citizens
• Citizens of EU/EEA countries who are living in Ireland
• Non-EU/EEA citizens who are in Ireland on an employment permit
• Foreign citizen living in Ireland on Stamp 4 or Stamp 5
• PhD students enrolled in an Irish accredited programme
• Researchers who came to Ireland under a Hosting Agreement.

Your sponsor has to have enough money to support you financially after you arrive in Ireland.

What can I do if my Irish Family Visa application is rejected?

If your application for the Irish Family Visa is unsuccessful, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the decision. You should go over them with your lawyer and, if you believe that the rejection is not justified, you can appeal the decision.

Our immigration consultants can explain to you in detail how you can submit an appeal to the Department of Justice and Equality. It is not uncommon for applications to be accepted after the process.

How can I prove my relationship with the family member in Ireland?

As part of the application process, you have to submit proof confirming your family relationship with the person in Ireland. The exact documents you have to include depend on the route you are using to apply for the Irish Family Visa. For example, if you are applying as a spouse, you should submit a marriage certificate. If you are applying as a child of the Irish sponsor, you can include a birth certificate.

Your immigration consultant can analyse your circumstances and tell you what documents you should prepare.

What happens if I forget some of the supporting documents?

If you fail to include some of the supporting documents, an immigration official might request additional evidence. If that happens, the processing of your application will be put on hold until you submit them. Sometimes, however, your application might be rejected right away. Hence, you should contact an immigration consultant prior to submitting your application. They will go over it to make sure that there are no mistakes and that all supporting documents have been included.

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Irish Family Visas

If you are a foreign national with a relative who is an Irish citizen, you may be eligible to enter Ireland to stay with them on an Irish Family Visa. This type of visa will allow you to stay in Ireland for longer than 90 days to join your Irish family members.

If you would like further advice on obtaining an Irish Family Visa, contact Total Law for assistance. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers today. Call (+353) 061 518 025 or use the online contact form to get in touch.

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Page contents, what is an irish family visa, eligibility for family visa sponsors, eligibility for irish family visa applicants, required documents for an irish family visa, how to apply for an irish family visa, processing times, costs and fees, how can total law help, frequently asked questions.

An Irish Family Visa is a travel document that gives immigration permission to non-EEA country citizens who have Irish family members, provided they meet the qualifications for eligibility. It can also be referred to as the family reunification visa.

To support family reunification, the family visa will allow holders to stay in Ireland for more than three months to join family, including children, parents, or a spouse or civil partner.

There are several types of Irish Family Visas that you can choose from depending on your circumstances. These are:

• Child Dependent Visa
• Spouse/ Civil Partner Visa
• De Facto Partner Visa
• Dependent of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder Visa

When applying for a family reunification visa, you will have to specify which category you are applying under and meet the eligibility requirements for that category.

The first requirement in the family visa application process is to obtain a sponsor. Visa applicants are not able to apply for the family visa without a sponsoring family member or another qualifying individual.

Persons eligible to become a sponsor include:

• Citizens of Ireland
• Citizens of EU/ EEA countries who are living in Ireland
• Citizens of non- EU/ EEA countries who are in Ireland on an employment permit
• Foreign citizens living in Ireland on Stamp 4 or Stamp 5
• Researchers who are in Ireland under a hosting agreement
• PhD students who are enrolled in an accredited PhD course of study in Ireland

The sponsor must meet several eligibility requirements, the main one being that they must be able to prove they are able to financially support the visa holder during their stay in Ireland, and that the visa holder will not need to rely on public funds.

There are a number of eligibility requirements applicants must meet for the Irish Family Visa. These include:

• You must hold a current and valid passport
• You must have a relative who is an Irish citizen
• You must be able to provide proof that your relative has a valid Irish address
• Your relative in Ireland must agree to sponsor you and petition for your visa
• Your relative must meet all the eligibility requirements for sponsorship, including financial stability
• You must be able to prove your connection to your relative

Other eligibility requirements will depend on the circumstances you are applying under. For example, if you are an Irish citizen sponsoring your non-EEA country dependent children, you must prove that you have active and continuous involvement in their lives.

When you apply for an Irish family visa, you will be required to provide sufficient evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria as a part of your visa application package.

Required supporting documents can vary slightly depending on which category of family visa you are applying under. However, most required documents will be the same across all categories. These are:

• A current and valid passport
• Two standard passport size photographs
• Previous passports, visas, and details of any previous visa refusals
• Your application summary sheet that is printed, dated and signed
• Your signed application letter detailing your reason for travel and including your and your sponsoring family member’s contact details
• The receipt of the visa application fee
• Documents supporting your family relationship and relationship history with your sponsoring family member, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, civil partnership certificates, etc.
• Documents proving that your sponsor has enough money to support you financially for the duration of your visa, such as bank statements
• Details of your accommodations in Ireland

All the documents which are not originally in the English language must have certified translated copies made and submitted as part of your documentation package. The particular documents for the category of family visa you are applying under will be detailed in your online application.

The first step in the Irish Family Visa application process is to identify your sponsoring family member. You must have an Irish family member who agrees to be your sponsor for the visa, or you will not be eligible to apply.

The second stage of the process is for the visa applicant. You will need to complete the online application form and submit your supporting documents as well as pay the visa application fee. The online application will ask you to provide personal details including the reason for your desire to travel to Ireland. It is important to complete the application thoroughly and truthfully to avoid your application being delayed or rejected.

At the end of the application, you will be given an application summary page. This page will give you the information needed to submit your supporting documentation package. It will also give you a number so that you can track your application while it is being processed.

You will need to submit your supporting documentation to Irish immigration authorities and wait for your application package to be processed. Once a visa decision is reached, your original documents will be mailed back to you or arrangements will be made for you to retrieve them from a local embassy or consulate.

Contact our expert immigration lawyers for assistance with the Irish family visas. Contact Us

The processing time for the family visa depends on your unique circumstances as well as the conditions at the visa office.

While there is no official time given for the processing of the family visa, typically you will receive a decision within 6 months when your sponsor has already obtained the immigration status of an Irish national.

If your sponsoring family member is originally from a non-EEA country but is lawfully living in Ireland, the visa processing time can be longer. In this situation, you should receive a decision within one year from your application date.

Once you fill out your visa application, you will need to pay the fee before your visa can be submitted and processed. If you are applying for a single-entry visa, the fee is €60. For a multiple-entry visa, the fee is €100.

You may incur other costs or fees during the visa application process, such as for services like the translation of required documents.

With Total Law, your Irish family visa application will be completed by one of our professional immigration lawyers, ensuring you have the best chances of a successful visa decision.

Your Total Law advisor will provide you with all the necessary advice to proceed with your Irish family visa application. Contact us today at (+353) 061 518 025 or use our online contact form to get in touch with our team of qualified immigration lawyers.

Advice Package

Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.

Application Package

Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Fast Track Package

Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.

Appeal Package

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.

The Advice Package

During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.

The Application Package

With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.

The Fast Track Package

Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.

The Appeal Package

By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our offices, or via the phone. Learn more

Related pages for your continued reading.

Immigrate to ireland, ireland work visas, ireland business visas, ireland study visas, ireland visitor visas, residency in ireland, what if i forgot to include a supporting document.

Once your application package is submitted, you are unable to further edit it. For this reason, you should ensure that your application is filled out as thoroughly and completely as possible and that you have gathered all required documentation ahead of time.

If your application package is missing required supporting documents, you may receive a notification from an immigration official requesting additional information or documents.

If additional evidence is requested by the visa office, your application processing will be put on hold. However, in some cases missing documentation will cause your application to be automatically rejected. In this case, you would have to re-apply for the visa. A qualified immigration lawyer can review your application prior to submission to ensure you have the best chances of your visa being approved.

What if my Irish family visa application is denied?

In the event that your application is rejected, you will receive a notification detailing the reasons for the negative decision. You may be able to appeal this decision by submitting an appeal to the Department of Justice and Equality. However, in some cases, it may be faster and more cost-efficient to simply file for a new visa. If your application for a family visa in Ireland was recently denied and you are unsure of the next step you should take, contact Total Law today.

How long does it take to get an Irish Family Visa?

Processing times for the Irish Family Visa can vary, but it typically takes 6-12 months to receive a visa decision.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for the Irish Family Visa?

While you do not need a lawyer to apply for a Join Family Visa , many applicants choose to use one. A qualified immigration lawyer can help you to assess your personal circumstances and give you additional information on what documentary evidence you should prepare to have the best chances of your Irish visa being approved.

Disclaimer: Total Law operates under different capacities in the various countries we cover, including as immigration consultants or lawyers; We connect clients with our network of immigration lawyers if we are not registered as a law firm in a particular country

Visa-free travel from South Africa may end under immigration plan

Move comes less than three years after requirement for visas for travel from south africa was abolished.

Taoiseach Simon Harris: The Government will 'do more' to reduce the number of applicants for international protection coming over the Border. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Ministers will discuss a possible move to end visa-free travel from South Africa , as the Government’s efforts to tighten immigration and asylum processes continue.

The expected move comes less than three years after the need for visas for travel from South Africa was abolished and results from officials’ warnings that people from Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo are travelling on South African passports.

Figures released by the Department of Justice show that the authorities are currently processing the applications of 198 people who arrived on South African passports this year – just over 3 per cent of the total.

It is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet committee on migration and integration next Thursday.

Ireland will not ‘provide loophole’ for any other country’s migration challenges, says Harris

Belfast has received no contact from Dublin over asylum seekers crossing Border into Republic, O’Neill says

Home Office Rwanda operation ‘to detain asylum seekers across UK from Monday’

Government to bring forward emergency law to send asylum seekers back to UK

On Wednesday, Taoiseach Simon Harris told a Dáil committee the Government would “do more” to reduce the number of applicants for international protection (IP) – or asylum – who were coming over the Border with Northern Ireland.

[  Migration system may be tightened over spike in international protection applicants  ]

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told a Dáil committee on Tuesday that more than 80 per cent of IP applicants were arriving in the State via Northern Ireland.

Mr Harris told the Oireachtas Committee that oversees the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance and Public Expenditure: “We have to do more in this space. This wasn’t always the way. And, in fact, this is a relatively recent phenomenon”.

Mr Harris said measures introduced at airports had reduced the number of asylum seekers arriving, but that greater co-operation was needed between Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the issue.

Earlier Ms McEntee told RTÉ that more than 5,000 people had applied for asylum in Ireland this year, and that half of that number were “secondary movements”, where people come from another “safe” country to claim asylum in Ireland.

Elsewhere, the Government has written to church dioceses asking them to make buildings or lands available to help accommodate asylum seekers as part of a renewed push to find beds.

In 2022, the Government sought church lands to accommodate those fleeing the war in Ukraine but has now asked dioceses for assistance in helping house asylum seekers. This comes amid ongoing pressure to house 1,600 unaccommodated single males.

[  ‘This is for our town’: Ballina locals protest against plans to house families seeking international protection  ]

Minister of State Joe O’Brien wrote to the dioceses in early March as well as seeking more local authority lands or buildings from the County and City Management Association (CCMA).

However, he was told that local authority’s ability to provide additional buildings was “severely limited”.

Mr O’Brien said: “Given the grave situation in terms of the number of people unaccommodated – many of whom are forced to sleep on the streets with all the obvious danger that entails – I feel it is incumbent on me to do everything within my power to try to assist the Trojan efforts of Minister O’Gorman and our officials within the Department of Integration.

[  Over 20,000 international protection applicants could apply for asylum in Ireland during 2024  ]

“On that basis I wrote to both the CCMA and each diocese, asking them to give serious consideration to their buildings and/or land portfolio with a view to trying to identify anything at all that might help alleviate the situation – even temporarily while we move towards the medium-term plan set out by Minister O’Gorman.”

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Pat Leahy is Political Editor of The Irish Times

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times

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A family ferry trip across to Dublin has its fair share of drama

But first there’s that long drive to Holyhead

‘W e should really check that,’ I say to my wife about our son’s passport, which we’d suddenly remembered might be going out of date soon. With a sharp dart of sweating horror, I grab it from the drawer and discover it has indeed expired, just two days earlier – and we are due to fly to Dublin in six days. We decide our only option is to book ourselves on to a later ferry instead.

The problem with the ferry is it means six hours of driving through England and Wales. (And if you’re wondering whether our kids were sick during this trip, you’ll be delighted to know that our daughter vomited twice before we’d even reached the M25. Our son, perhaps affected by the miasma, or maybe sensing a deficit in attention, caught up and was himself sick three times, before his sister chimed in with one last spew 20 minutes before we reached the boat, to make it a creditable 3-3 draw.)

Well and truly wiped – in every sense – we stumble onboard with three and a half hours of seafaring ahead of us. Luckily, the ferry itself is great. As a rural Irishman myself, I recognise my people everywhere I look. Almost every male adult here could give you a quote for a horse and a lift to collect it. Moreover, about 80% of the passengers are children en route to sporting tournaments, which adds an air of prestige to proceedings.

Any time spent on a boat reminds one how odd it is that air travel is such a drudge. The latter is, after all, new. The miracle of human flight was solely the province of poets and sorcerers until about a century ago. Two of my grandparents never saw the inside of a plane in their entire lives. Sea travel, by contrast, has been a staple of human existence for at least 50,000 years, and yet its wonders remain intact.

My kids crowd the windows to watch the vast expanse of water surrounding them. We cheer when we see land or another ship somewhere in the distance. There is everywhere the convivial feeling of people making the best of a situation beyond their control, like red-faced holidaymakers drinking it up in a Greek hotel during a power cut.

A man at the bar reacts to my daughter’s crying not with disgust but kindly laughter and asks me to pass a lemonade to his son, the under-15s Taekwondo champion of Kildare. Admittedly, half an hour spent tumbling around the soft play area with 115 shoeless children would have you wondering how often kids wash their feet, but it’s a small price to pay for a mode of transport that gives your irritable brood a decent runaround.

It seems to have ended too quickly, as we tumble downstairs to the car, ready for the last 30 minutes of our journey. As we disembark, we wonder why it is we don’t do this more often. ‘I feel sick,’ says our son, and suddenly we yearn for airport drear.

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Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? by Séamas O’Reilly is out now (Little, Brown, £16.99). Buy a copy from guardianbookshop at £14.78

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