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Family Reunification for family members of General Employment Permit and other Stamp 4 holders

Family Reunification for Family Members of General Employment Permit Holders and Other Stamp 4 Holders

The Non-EEA Policy Document on Family Reunification outlines the Irish government’s policy for non-EEA family members of individuals holding a General Employment Permit (GEP) or Stamp 4 permission (excluding those who were previously on a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) or Researcher permit, as they are covered under more favourable conditions).

Eligibility for Family Reunification

  • Category B sponsors (GEP holders and certain Stamp 4 holders) can apply for family reunification after one year of residence in Ireland.
  • Eligible family members include:
    • Spouse and children under 18 (or up to 23 if in full-time education).
    • Parents and other family members may be considered, but with stricter criteria.

Financial Requirements for Family Reunification

Category B sponsors must meet specific income thresholds:

  • Couples without children: A minimum gross income of €30,000 per year for each of the previous two years.

  • Families with children: The required net weekly income is:
    ✔️ 1 child – €511
    ✔️ 2 children – €612
    ✔️ 3 children – €713
    ✔️ 4 children – €834
    ✔️ 5 children – €960

  • Savings may be considered if the income falls slightly short. A common approach is to annualise savings as income over 5–10 years.

  • These figures serve as a minimum financial requirement for family reunification.

In exceptional humanitarian circumstances, the Minister may exercise discretion to approve an application even if the financial requirements are not fully met.

Visa Application and Entry Process

  • Family members from visa-required countries must apply for a long-stay D visa online.
  • Supporting documents must be submitted within 30 days to the relevant Irish Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Office in Dublin.
  • Visa processing can take up to 8 months, though some cases may be faster.

If the visa is refused, the applicant will receive a written explanation and has two months to appeal.

Registration Process in Ireland

  • If the visa is approved, the family member can travel to Ireland.
  • Upon arrival, they must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Dublin or the local immigration office outside Dublin.

Required Documents for Registration

Both the sponsor and their family member must attend the registration appointment together and bring:

✔️ Original marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable).
✔️ Sponsor’s original passport.
✔️ Family member’s original passport.
✔️ Original General Employment Permit or proof of Stamp 4 permission.
✔️ Proof of address in Ireland.

Residence Permission

  • Granted initially for one year.
  • Renewable as long as the marriage or de facto partnership remains valid and the sponsor continues to reside in Ireland.

We assist clients in submitting family reunification applications, whether they are on CSEP, GEP, or Stamp 4 permissions, and whether their family members are from visa-required or non-visa-required countries.