Who Can Apply?

Applications can be made by a person 18 years of age or over who:

• Is the direct descendant of the sponsor or of their spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner.
• Was adopted by the sponsor or their spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner.
• Has been placed under the guardianship of the sponsor or their spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner through a legal order in compliance with the relevant jurisdiction.

Establishing Dependency

Adult dependent applicants who claim dependency are not persons of independent means and rely on the sponsor and/or the sponsor’s spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner for financial and material support.

For the purpose of this Scheme, ‘dependency’ is demonstrated where the applicant:

• Has been financially supported by the sponsor on a continuous basis.
• Can provide relevant financial, medical, or other documentary evidence of their dependency.
• Has sustained dependency before making the application for family reunification.

Documentary Evidence of Dependency

Applicants must provide supporting evidence demonstrating their dependency on the sponsor. The following factors will be considered:

• The applicant is in full-time education in their country of origin or residence, intends to continue full-time education in Ireland, is under 23 years of age, and requires financial support from the sponsor.
• If the applicant is over 18 and not in full-time education, they are dependent on parental care due to a serious medical condition that makes independent living impossible.
• The applicant cannot meet their essential living needs (in whole or in part) without financial or material support from the sponsor.
• The sponsor has been providing financial or material support to the applicant before the application was submitted.
• The need for such support existed in the applicant’s country of origin or residence immediately before coming to Ireland.

Adult Dependents in Exceptional Circumstances

Applications that involve a claim of dependency under exceptional circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered include:

• The existence of other family members in the applicant’s country of origin or residence who could or should provide alternative support.
• The applicant’s health, financial, and social conditions.

Each case will be reviewed in light of all relevant factors to determine whether residency should be granted.