Help Settlement Visa

[u2onelove]

My Thai Girlfirend is living with me in Ireland on a 3 month holiday Visa.

We intend to get married in March in Thailand. What notice period must we give

to the Irish consulate ?

She will then apply for a settlement Visa for Ireland , I'm hoping to here from anyone who has gone through this process and am looking for some help and guidance.

Given the hoops and time it took for a holiday Visa for Ireland I'm worried how long this process might take. Whats the normally time period ?

Obvoiusly due to work I can only stay a limited time in Thailand in March.

Any tips on how the process can be speeded up ?

We hope to set-up a business here in Ireland .

How long does this process take for the UK ? ( I'm orginally from N.I. )

So might apply through the UK , she also holds a 6 month UK holiday Visa.

I believe then because I work in Dublin I could also apply my EU treaty writes

to bring her to Dublin.

All advice very much welcome !

[GU22]

We intend to get married in March in Thailand. What notice period must we give

to the Irish consulate ?

Foreigners marrying in Thailand need to sign an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry and have it witnessed by the consular section of their embassy before lodging it at the MFA. As a dual UK/Irish national you could do this at either embassy.

Issuing certificates of freedom to marry abroad(Ireland)

Guidance for British Nationals Wishing to Marry in Thailand

Do you have a British passport? If not, or if you entered Thailand on your Irish passport, you'll need to do it via the Irish Consul

How long does this process take for the UK ? ( I'm orginally from N.I. )

So might apply through the UK , she also holds a 6 month UK holiday Visa.

I believe then because I work in Dublin I could also apply my EU treaty writes

to bring her to Dublin.

Yes, if you also have British nationality you could apply for an EEA Family Permit. I can't find much detail on this on the Irish site, but I imagine the procedure is very similar to the UK's; Guidance - EEA & Swiss nationals (INF 18). The criteria are less strict than for a spouse visa, and it's free. However, the Irish will not issue an EEA Family Permit to the spouse of an Irish citizen! So you will need to get a British passport, if you don't have it already, or at least provide some proof of your British citizenship.

Uk Immigration - The European Angle., Are you a dual national?, although pitched at UK residents, will be of interest to you.

One thing to bear in mind, an EEA Family Permit issued by Ireland will not entitle her to live in, or even visit, the UK and vice versa. Neither will a spouse visa issued by either country. She will still need to apply for the appropriate visa for that.

Edited December 4, 2005 by GU22