Visa to Ireland

[JusticeFT96]

Are these similar to the UK visa applications in terms of length and difficulty to obtain?

I am a UK national, currently I am a professional poker player however I should start full time employment in the UK early 2014. I just want to get my family over to the UK or Ireland as fast as possible.

[7by7]

The answer is the same as the other times you have asked this question over the last year.

[Jay Sata]

Hi again,

Good luck with your travel plans.

If you have a parent or grandparent who was born anywhere on the island of Ireland (Eire or the six counties of Northern Ireland) then it's a simple paperwork exercise to obtain an Irish passport.

https://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=253

The process then allows you to bypass all the UK financial requirements of annual income in excess of £18600 to get your spouse home.

The rules are simple in that you need to prove you can support your partner.

Once resident in the Republic she qualifies to enter the UK as the wife of an Irish citizen.

However you will need to move to Eire for three years plus if you want to get your wife an Irish passport.

Family Member of Irish Citizen - visa application document required

If you are legally resident in a country other than Ireland and you wish to move to Ireland by either joining or accompanying your Irish spouse, the following documents must be submitted:

• Fully complete the online application form, and submit your signed summary application form, photographs and fee (if applicable)
• In addition to the signed summary application form, please also submit a signed letter of application

1. outlining your reason for coming to Ireland,
2. giving details of any members of your family who are currently in Ireland, or any other EU State.

• Passport, valid for 12 months, and copy of previous passport if applicable. (If your passport is relatively new, it may assist your application if you provide your previous passport showing any previous visas for any other country, and your previous travel history)
• If you have been refused a visa for any other country, details of this must be given. Submit the original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country. Concealment of visa refusals will result in your Irish visa application being refused
• A detailed statement of your bank account covering a six-month period immediately prior to your visa application, and showing sufficient funds to cover your costs
• Clear copy of spouse’s passport, or other documentary evidence attesting to spouse's Irish citizenship, showing evidence of residency in country you are moving from
• Marriage Certificate/ Civil Partnership Certificate

Children

If you have children (under 18 years) who do not hold Irish passports, and therefore require a visa, a separate application must be submitted, along with a birth certificate, for each child.

If you wish a child (under 18 years) from a previous marriage or relationship to travel with you, evidence that you have been given full custody and access rights to this child must be shown (Court Order).

Where the other parent of this child has some custody or access rights, a sworn affidavit by this parent consenting to the child being removed from their home country is required.

More info here

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Join%20Family

If you want to check your eligibility for an Irish passport check here

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP11000024

Edited December 11, 2013 by Jay Sata

[JusticeFT96]

Thank you for the informative post Jay.

[Jay Sata]

One point I forgot to make is that there is no border control between Eire and Northern Ireland, the latter being part of the UK.

The Irish Republic has also got more generous tax allowances for someone such as yourself.

Dublin airport has probably got the friendliest security staff in Europe and they all have an Irish accent

Edited December 12, 2013 by Jay Sata

[JusticeFT96]

I think I will be going with the UK visa as they have the express application, I just wanted to be with my son for Christmas. Hopefully come July I will have been in full time employment for 6 months and I can finally get this settlement visa out of the way once and for all