Requirement for Immigration Preclearance

De facto partners of Irish citizens who are not currently living in Ireland but wish to move for longer than three months must apply for immigration preclearance before traveling. This applies to both visa-required and non-visa-required nationals.

Residency and Application Requirements

Applicants must prove they reside outside Ireland and remain outside the State while the preclearance application is processed.

The Irish citizen partner must provide evidence of earning at least €40,000 over the previous three years and must not have been fully reliant on state benefits for two years prior to the application. Additionally, the Irish partner must not have sponsored (or been sponsored by) anyone else in the seven years before the preclearance application.

Applicants must submit detailed documentary evidence of their relationship history, proof of two years of cohabitation, and proof of private medical insurance.

Application Process for Preclearance

The preclearance application is submitted to the Preclearance Unit within the Visa Division of the Immigration Service Delivery.

• Application Fee: €100
• Processing Time: Not specified by Immigration Service Delivery, but typically takes a few months.
• Validity: If approved, the preclearance letter is valid for six months.

Visa Application After Preclearance Approval

For visa-required applicants:

• Those from China, India, Nigeria, or Pakistan can apply for a visa alongside the preclearance application.
• Applicants from other visa-required countries must wait for preclearance approval before applying for a long-stay D visa.

The long-stay D visa application is initially completed online, and supporting documents must be submitted within 30 days to the designated Irish Embassy/Consulate or the Visa Office in Dublin.

For non-visa-required applicants:

• Travel to Ireland is not permitted until preclearance approval is granted. The approval letter must be presented to border officials upon entry.

Post-Arrival Registration in Ireland

Upon arrival in Ireland, de facto partners must register their permission with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Dublin or the local immigration office outside Dublin.

• Dublin-based applicants: Book an online appointment with GNIB.
• Outside Dublin: Book an appointment by emailing the local immigration office.

Both partners must attend the registration appointment together with the following documents:

• Preclearance approval letter
• Applicant’s original passport
• Irish citizen partner’s original passport
• Evidence of joint address in Ireland

Residency Permission Duration

An initial one-year residence permission is granted, renewable as long as the relationship continues. If the relationship ends, the permission ends, except in cases of domestic violence, where exceptions may apply.

Appeal Process for Refused Applications

If the preclearance application is refused, a refusal letter will be issued with reasons for the decision. Applicants may appeal within six weeks of the refusal date.

De Facto Partners of Irish Citizens Already Residing in Ireland

Eligibility for Residency Permission

This option is available only to individuals residing in Ireland under an alternative valid residence permission, such as:

• Stamp 2 (student permission)
• Stamp 1 (employment permit)

Applications will not be accepted from individuals:

• On short-stay C visas
• Under the visa waiver programme
• Without valid residence permission
• Seeking international protection as asylum seekers

Application Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Irish citizen partner must have earned at least €40,000 over the previous three years.
• Irish partner must not have been fully reliant on state benefits for two years before application.
• The Irish partner must not have sponsored (or been sponsored by) anyone else in the seven years before the application.
• The applicant must provide documentary evidence of their relationship history, proof of two years of cohabitation, and proof of private medical insurance.

Application Process for Residency Permission

Applications must be submitted to the De Facto Relationships Unit, Residence Division – Unit 5 of the Immigration Service Delivery.

• Processing Time: Approximately 6-12 months.
• Temporary Residence: Not granted while the application is under review.

If successful, applicants receive Stamp 4 residence permission, allowing them to live and work in Ireland without a work permit.

Post-Approval Registration

Once approved, applicants must register their permission with GNIB in Dublin or their local immigration office outside Dublin.

• Dublin-based applicants: Book an online appointment with GNIB.
• Outside Dublin: Book an appointment by emailing the local immigration office.

Both partners must attend the registration appointment together with the following documents:

• Original letter granting residence permission
• Original marriage/civil partnership certificate
• Applicant’s original passport
• Irish citizen partner’s original passport
• Evidence of joint address in Ireland

Residency Permission Duration

Initially granted for 12 months and renewable as long as the relationship continues. If the relationship ends, the permission ends, except in cases of domestic violence, where exceptions may apply.

Appeal Process for Refused Applications

If the application is refused, a refusal letter will be issued with reasons. Applicants may appeal the decision.