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De Facto Relationships Ireland

123457

Comments

  • #302
    qdawg86
    Registered Users Posts: 169 ✭✭qdawg86


    Dunphus wrote: »
    My girlfriend applied from the Netherlands, where we both live together, and they didn't accept the application as we don't live in Ireland.

    Did they tell you that this is why your application was not accepted. It says on the INIS website:

    The Applicant and the Sponsor must currently live in Ireland or they intend coming to live in Ireland.

    It seems like a catch 22 situation. They won't give you a visa because you are not in the country, but you can't live in the country because you can't get a visa....


  • #303
    SantaBaby
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭SantaBaby


    Hi Everyone,

    I just received my letter granting me permission to temporarily reside in Ireland as a De Facto Partner of an Irish Citizen a little over a week ago!

    I wanted to share my experience with you because I found the information on boards to be extremely valuable while preparing our application. Note that I applied before they posted the change of departments on the INIS website, when I was preparing the application, the only option was to apply after you arrived in Ireland.

    At the time of application, we had known each other for 3 years and had been living together for 2.5 years. I am American and my partner is Irish. We decided to move to Ireland and apply for De Facto 6 months before doing so, during that time, we saved money to sustain us at the beginning. It took us over 2 months after arriving in Ireland for my partner to get a job and for us to get settled here with an apartment before applying. After applying, we waited for about 6 months to receive a final decision. During that time, I was unable to leave the country or work. After 3 months of waiting, we did contact a local politician who contacted INIS on our behalf, they replied that the process was taking about 8 months. I don't know if contacting a politician made a difference to our wait time or not. Before that, I contacted them via the e-mail listed on the INIS defacto webpage and they were very prompt in their reply. If you have any questions, I would recommend contacting them that way so you can get an official answer.

    Our application was complete when we sent it in and we were never asked for any additional information. It included a cover page, table of contents, contact information, a letter from each of us, relationship history, and copies of passports. Then we included every single document we ever received for our proof of shared address, proof of joint financial accounts, and proof of financial stability. Finally, we added a facebook timeline of relationship, e-mail correspondence, dated photographs, greeting cards, event tickets, plane tickets, police clearance from home country, and private insurance details. The whole collection of documents filled a 2 inch binder.

    Once you receive your letter, you have to go to your local Garda Immigration office. I recommend arriving maybe 30 minutes or more before they open in the morning to get in line. We arrived 15 minutes after they opened and waited for about 5 hours before we were seen. People who had been to the Dublin office said you need to arrive 1+ hours before opening. You and your partner need to go together with your passports. You need to bring your letter, proof of insurance, and 300 Euro for the registration (they don't take cash). 10 days later you have to go back to pick up your new GNIB card!

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this board! Hope this is helpful too!


  • #304
    tonydub2
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭tonydub2


    rasher83 wrote: »
    Tony, did you and your partner apply for defacto from within Ireland? or in USA?
    Thanks,
    Denis

    Hi Denis,
    We applied from within Ireland that's the only way of doing it.


  • #305
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    qdawg86 wrote: »
    Did they tell you that this is why your application was not accepted. It says on the INIS website:

    The Applicant and the Sponsor must currently live in Ireland or they intend coming to live in Ireland.

    It seems like a catch 22 situation. They won't give you a visa because you are not in the country, but you can't live in the country because you can't get a visa....

    Fly over with the docs and post it addressed from your parents place might be a way around?
    I was told that marriage is the easier way to get the stamp 4 and actually I have some friends that got it by this way because they didnt have 2 years together as needed to apply in the De facto Relationship. Maybe you should check it again.

    If you don't have a stamp 4 prior to marriage it might get you a stamp 3 to enable you to stay without working.


  • #306
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    I would like to know who was the dunderhead who stopped local immi gards from printing out GNIB cards on the spot. By forcing people to pay €300 you should expect to get their card and stamp on the same day instead of waiting 10 days for it come down from Dublin. Absolute nonsense.


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  • #307
    johnny45
    Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭johnny45


    All, I know me/my partner maybe judged here but I am looking for advice.
    Is there any hope getting the stamp 4 for my partner who overstayed a tourist visa for a no. of years so is undocumented (or 'illegal' as some people call it).
    I'm an irish citizen and we have been living together for over 2 years in my home. We.don't.want to have to leave the country to stay together. Any advice or shared experience is appreciated. I will be getting legal advice also.


  • #308
    Octopsc
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Octopsc


    Hi All,

    I've made an application for de-facto status in June 2014, all i heard from dept was acknowledgement that they have received the application, since then i haven't heard anything yet, just wondering has any one heard anything since 4 months of their applications dropped? my current visa has expired on 30 Sep 14, not sure - can we approach GNIB and ask for temporary stamp until we get decision.

    Please advise.


  • #309
    Cushie Butterfield
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭Cushie Butterfield


    Octopsc wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I've made an application for de-facto status in June 2014, all i heard from dept was acknowledgement that they have received the application, since then i haven't heard anything yet, just wondering has any one heard anything since 4 months of their applications dropped? my current visa has expired on 30 Sep 14, not sure - can we approach GNIB and ask for temporary stamp until we get decision.

    Please advise.
    Four months + wouldn't be all that unusual, though some people have been processed quicker than that.

    It's important that you always have a current immigration stamp on your passport, so treat this matter as urgent.

    You need to go with your partner ASAP to your local Garda Immigration Officer or to GNIB in Burgh Quay. Bring the acknowledgement letter as well as both your passports & ask for an extension of your current visa. If they only give you a stamp for a month make sure that you get another extension stamp before this one expires.

    In fact it might be better for both of you to arrive & ask what you are meant to do seeing you have heard nothing further about your defacto application. Just play dumb & let them suggest that they stamp your passport with an extension.

    They will probably advise you to contact the defacto section by email to enquire about the status of your application. Certainly if you haven't heard anything by the six month mark you should contact them.


  • #310
    Octopsc
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Octopsc


    Thanks Butterfield,

    As you said I've approached GNIB in Dublin with my partner before my visa expired, I've visited 3-4 times in Sep'14, met different officers - all they say is its legal to stay until decision is pending, but they have no rights to give temporary visa that has to be advised by department of justice, so in this situation no idea what to do. Do you have any idea or have you heard any cases that GNIB has stamped temporary visas in this situation until decision is pending?


    I've even emailed De-Facto department saying my current visa has expired, I've got reply in Sep 2014 saying that they are processing files from Jan 2014 :(

    Thanks,
    Octo


  • #311
    Cushie Butterfield
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭Cushie Butterfield


    Octopsc wrote: »
    Thanks Butterfield,

    As you said I've approached GNIB in Dublin with my partner before my visa expired, I've visited 3-4 times in Sep'14, met different officers - all they say is its legal to stay until decision is pending, but they have no rights to give temporary visa that has to be advised by department of justice, so in this situation no idea what to do. Do you have any idea or have you heard any cases that GNIB has stamped temporary visas in this situation until decision is pending?


    I've even emailed De-Facto department saying my current visa has expired, I've got reply in Sep 2014 saying that they are processing files from Jan 2014 :(

    Thanks,
    Octo
    My information could well be out of date, but I have heard of people getting short extensions & also people being advised for a Stamp 3. A quick search shows this post over in the long defacto thread.: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83453889&postcount=185

    However, once you have actually gone in & been told you don't need one plus the fact that you have the email in which you stated that your visa has expired there is no more you can do.


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  • #312
    Octopsc
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Octopsc


    Thanks will update if any new.


  • #313
    vbIE
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭vbIE


    Hi everybody,

    I have a friend that got the Civil Partnership with another guy last month. He is not from Europe and his partner is from France. They got the partnership in the french embassy. He applied for the Stamp 4, and he already got the immigration stamp 4 for 5 years in his passport. Now He is just waiting for the GNIB card to arrive in his house and the card is probably arriving in maximum 4 months. The problem is that they broke up last week and He doesn't know if he is still allowed to keep the Stamp 4 or if it will be cancelled. Does anyone could give me any help about it?

    Thanks a million.


  • #314
    Cushie Butterfield
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,861 ✭✭✭Cushie Butterfield


    vbIE wrote: »
    Hi everybody,

    I have a friend that got the Civil Partnership with another guy last month. He is not from Europe and his partner is from France. They got the partnership in the french embassy. He applied for the Stamp 4, and he already got the immigration stamp 4 for 5 years in his passport. Now He is just waiting for the GNIB card to arrive in his house and the card is probably arriving in maximum 4 months. The problem is that they broke up last week and He doesn't know if he is still allowed to keep the Stamp 4 or if it will be cancelled. Does anyone could give me any help about it?

    Thanks a million.
    He was probably issued with a Stamp EU Fam 4 which is governed by an EU Direcive & depends on the holder's ongoing relationship with an EU citizen & gives more rights than a plain old Stamp 4 which depends on the holder's ongoing relationship with an Irish resident citizen.

    However, as both are dependant on the holder's ongoing relationship with thier Irish/EU partner the holder is meant to inform immigration authorities of their change in circumstances. Their are certain circumstances which allow for the holder to retain independant residency status following separation, but these are mainly for domestic violence/abuse victims.

    I'd advise your friend to seek proper legal advice. He could start with GLEN http://www.glen.ie/ , Irish Immigrant Support Centre http://www.nascireland.org/know-your-rights/domestic-violence-and-immigration/ , & Crosscare Migrant Project http://www.migrantproject.ie/index.php/what-we-do/immigration-information

    All the above offer free information & advocacy services & are well versed in the legalities of individual situations & could provide tailored advice to your friend & more than likely some sort of legal aid/details of legal aid, immigration lawyers etc.


  • #315
    Alessa86
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭Alessa86


    Hi BRazirland,

    I was hoping you can help me as I'm in your same situation. I don't know if you finally give the de facto to your partner in Brazil and if this helped you to get yours for Ireland. I'm from Colombia. And my boyfriend and I want to do that if it helps.

    Any help or advice will be very helpful!
    Thanks.

    quote="Brazirland;90872198"]Hi guys.. as many here I'm worried about the 2 year rule and as I far as I know they are being reeally strict about that! Im Brazilian and my boyfriend is Irish.. we will be together for 2 years by the time we apply for the defacto visa.. but we will be living together for 1 and 1/2 years or something like that. We intend to get married in case they refuse the application. I have a few questions:

    1. We are gonna apply for the same thing in Brazil.. where is much easier to get. I was told you just have to go to the office and sign the papers. Would that help us here? Could they take that into consideration because we won't be living together for 2 years yet but are, by the laws of Brazil, partners already?

    2. If they refuse, would they give us time to get married if we decide to do so? I think it takes 3 months to get married here because you have to book a time in the office or something. I'm worried they will tell me to leave the country and we wont be able even to get married before that.

    If someone knows something to help us, please, let us know. Thanks![/quote]


  • #316
    flicka10
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭flicka10


    Hi everyone,

    This thread was a great source of information for my partner and me during the application process, so I feel that it's only fair to share our experience in case there is something of use for somebody else.

    My partner is Korean, and we had been together for more than six years when we applied for de facto partnership. We met in Korea, and had been sharing an apartment there for four years. We moved to Ireland in May 2014, and it took us a month to get some documents translated so we were finally able to submit our application on June 16th. We received a letter from INIS by registered post yesterday which informed us that the application had been successful and that she has been granted a Stamp 4 for 12 months. The letter was dated November 18th, so the processing time was almost exactly five months.

    Our application contained 204 pages in a large binder which I delivered by hand to INIS. In it, we included a cover page with a picture of us, followed by a letter from each of us, a detailed summary of our relationship history (about 3-4 pages long), copies of every page of both of our passports, and police clearance checks and official records from Korean immigration with stamped translations. In the next section, we included bank statements from Korea and Ireland with relevant sections highlighted (transfers to each other's bank accounts) and the statements spanned the previous three years. Then there were employment records for her and reference letters from previous employers and a bank statement from me showing that I am currently employed. In the final section, we had emails, plane tickets (alongside copies of relevant passport pages with stamps side by side), Facebook screenshots, and pictures organised by year since 2008. I made sure to include pictures of us with mutual friends along with Facebook messages from the same friends, and I also put in a lot of emails from my parents and other family members in which they mention my partner.

    We were never asked for additional information, and I found the department to be very helpful and prompt whenever I emailed them throughout the process.

    Hopefully this is helpful for somebody else, and best of luck to everyone applying!


  • #317
    chelsey2a
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭chelsey2a


    Hello all , i got the de facto visa with my partner two years ago and we are due to renew it for the second time. Im wondering does anyone know if there is a limit to how many times you can renew this visa?


  • #318
    markiemark2005
    Registered Users Posts: 199 ✭✭markiemark2005


    chelsey2a wrote: »
    Hello all , i got the de facto visa with my partner two years ago and we are due to renew it for the second time. Im wondering does anyone know if there is a limit to how many times you can renew this visa?

    Dont think there is a limit, but after 5 years your partner will be able to apply for a permanent residency visa.


  • #319
    chelsey2a
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭chelsey2a


    markiemark2005 wrote: »
    Dont think there is a limit, but after 5 years your partner will be able to apply for a permanent residency visa.
    Thanks thats what i thought, have another two years and then i can get residency


  • #320
    yolili57
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭yolili57


    I have a relationship with a Irish citizen. we have been living together for 2 years and we have a baby boy who is one year.

    At the moment we are in Australia but we want to go to Ireland to live there with his family it because in Australia we dont have family and it is difficult with small baby.

    The reason why I post this is because I have ready looked for information about it on the webside for apply for visa (long term join family) but the webside doesnt have clear information about which documents we need in order to do the aplication.

    could anyone help me.

    our soon is Australian citizen.

    Thanks.


  • #321
    chelsey2a
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭chelsey2a


    Hi all, I went to renew my de facto visa for the second time since being approved for the visa in 2012. Well after waiting over two hours I was told that I need to get health insurance before they renew my visa. This was news to me as I know the health insurance was a condition when I originally applied for the visa but there was no mention of it last year when I renewed it. The guy at least was nice of enough to write me a note so I don't have to queue the next time I go in


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  • #322
    o_so_awkward
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭o_so_awkward


    Hi guys,

    I'm hoping someone can help me out or maybe offer some pearls of wisdom.

    I received a stamp 4 allowing me to stay in Ireland on the basis of my relationship in January 2014. We broke up over the holidays this year. My visa expired on January 6th. I re enrolled in school in December, but registration didn't take place until January. I had to wait for my college to sent a letter to the GNIB so I could switch to a stamp 2 visa. When I arrived a very nice gentlemen told me I wouldn't want to switch because a stamp 4 is better, etc. I explained the situation and he said that I would need to contact a different office. So I did. They promptly emailed me back the following:

    </i>The De Facto Relationship Unit cannot advise the GNIB to register you under
    Stamp 2 student conditions. Your immigration permission to be in Ireland is solely based on your
    committed long term relationship with an Irish National or Irish Resident.
    If the relationship ends the permission ends.

    In order for a renewal of your permission to remain in the State to be
    considered it will be necessary for you to make a written application to
    the De Facto Relationship Unit, Residence Division - Unit 1, INIS, 13/14
    Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 outlining the circumstances surrounding your break-up
    and why you left it to now to advise INIS.

    What were the circumstances surrounding the break up?
    How long were you in a durable relationship for? Please give exact
    details regarding same
    When did the relationship finally break down? Please give exact details
    regarding same
    Are you currently in contact with your partner? If not, when was the
    last time you were in contact with him?
    Please provide documentary evidence to show how you are currently
    maintaining yourself whilst in the State
    Are there any prospects of reconciliation
    Full copy of your national Passport
    Two passport photos
    Original evidence of your current address
    Copy of your GNIB Certificate of Registration Card
    Evidence of your enrolment and include details of the course of study being pursued.<i>

    Does anyone have any experience with this? Any tips or advice? I've already paid my student fees for the semester and right now have no visa. It's a massive ball of stress. Any advice or wisdom will be massively appreciated.


  • #323
    o_so_awkward
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭o_so_awkward


    Hi guys,

    I'm hoping someone can help me out or maybe offer some pearls of wisdom.

    I received a stamp 4 allowing me to stay in Ireland on the basis of my relationship in January 2014. We broke up over the holidays this year. My visa expired on January 6th. I re enrolled in school in December, but registration didn't take place until January. I had to wait for my college to sent a letter to the GNIB so I could switch to a stamp 2 visa. When I arrived a very nice gentlemen told me I wouldn't want to switch because a stamp 4 is better, etc. I explained the situation and he said that I would need to contact a different office. So I did. They promptly emailed me back the following:

    <i>The De Facto Relationship Unit cannot advise the GNIB to register you under
    Stamp 2 student conditions. Your immigration permission to be in Ireland is solely based on your
    committed long term relationship with an Irish National or Irish Resident.
    If the relationship ends the permission ends.

    In order for a renewal of your permission to remain in the State to be
    considered it will be necessary for you to make a written application to
    the De Facto Relationship Unit, Residence Division - Unit 1, INIS, 13/14
    Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 outlining the circumstances surrounding your break-up
    and why you left it to now to advise INIS.

    What were the circumstances surrounding the break up?
    How long were you in a durable relationship for? Please give exact
    details regarding same
    When did the relationship finally break down? Please give exact details
    regarding same
    Are you currently in contact with your partner? If not, when was the
    last time you were in contact with him?
    Please provide documentary evidence to show how you are currently
    maintaining yourself whilst in the State
    Are there any prospects of reconciliation
    Full copy of your national Passport
    Two passport photos
    Original evidence of your current address
    Copy of your GNIB Certificate of Registration Card
    Evidence of your enrolment and include details of the course of study being pursued.</i>

    Does anyone have any experience with this? Any tips or advice? I've already paid my student fees for the semester and right now have no visa. It's a massive ball of stress. Any advice or wisdom will be massively appreciated.


  • #324
    Riat
    Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭Riat


    Hi All,

    Thanks for help so much here for helping me in getting de facto visa .Its been two years I got defacto visa in Ireland and my query is if I am moving to UK with bf ,as he is searching jobs their as many jobs available for him in UK .I want to stay with him in UK too but not unsure Ireland defacto stamp 4 EUFAM visa is considered valid their and when applying citizenship in Ireland or permanent resident card I need to stay here in Ireland.Can anybody say me please in this case what will be the options to proceed.


  • #325
    Wompa1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,177 ✭✭✭Wompa1


    Riat wrote: »
    Hi All,

    Thanks for help so much here for helping me in getting de facto visa .Its been two years I got defacto visa in Ireland and my query is if I am moving to UK with bf ,as he is searching jobs their as many jobs available for him in UK .I want to stay with him in UK too but not unsure Ireland defacto stamp 4 EUFAM visa is considered valid their and when applying citizenship in Ireland or permanent resident card I need to stay here in Ireland.Can anybody say me please in this case what will be the options to proceed.

    Almost positive it's not valid there.


  • #326
    Long Gone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 771 ✭✭✭Long Gone


    Wompa1 wrote: »
    Almost positive it's not valid there.

    I concur. You will need to apply for a visa for the UK as the first step of the UK immigration process. The UK will not give any recognition to or credit for the Irish Defacto Stamp 4 EUFAM visa.


  • #327
    johnnyskeleton
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 14,535 Mod ✭✭✭✭johnnyskeleton


    Riat wrote: »
    Hi All,

    Thanks for help so much here for helping me in getting de facto visa .Its been two years I got defacto visa in Ireland and my query is if I am moving to UK with bf ,as he is searching jobs their as many jobs available for him in UK .I want to stay with him in UK too but not unsure Ireland defacto stamp 4 EUFAM visa is considered valid their and when applying citizenship in Ireland or permanent resident card I need to stay here in Ireland.Can anybody say me please in this case what will be the options to proceed.

    If your boyfriend is an Irish citizen he is entitled to exercise EU trety rights and so can travel with his non eu registered partner. Unfortunately the residence requirements for ciizenship are strict and being in the UK will not increase your overall residence time and will break your one year continuous residence.


  • #328
    ucdhead25
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭ucdhead25


    Hi I have a stamp 4 defacto visa with my partner. We are considering getting married next year. Do we have to go through a reapplication process for a spousal visa or when we renew the registration of the defacto visa do they automatically convert the defacto visa to a spousal visa. Thanks


  • #329
    Riat
    Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭Riat


    Hi all,

    I have query for STAMP4EUFAM ,I already obtained this visa in year 2013 but now planning to move UK and applied same visa their,my query is what will happen to STAMP4EUFAM I obtained in Ireland,I send them email no reply,anybody have idea what need to be done ,hope to hear from you all.

    Thanks in advance


  • #330
    Irishgirl88
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭Irishgirl88


    flicka10 wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    This thread was a great source of information for my partner and me during the application process, so I feel that it's only fair to share our experience in case there is something of use for somebody else.

    My partner is Korean, and we had been together for more than six years when we applied for de facto partnership. We met in Korea, and had been sharing an apartment there for four years. We moved to Ireland in May 2014, and it took us a month to get some documents translated so we were finally able to submit our application on June 16th. We received a letter from INIS by registered post yesterday which informed us that the application had been successful and that she has been granted a Stamp 4 for 12 months. The letter was dated November 18th, so the processing time was almost exactly five months.

    Our application contained 204 pages in a large binder which I delivered by hand to INIS. In it, we included a cover page with a picture of us, followed by a letter from each of us, a detailed summary of our relationship history (about 3-4 pages long), copies of every page of both of our passports, and police clearance checks and official records from Korean immigration with stamped translations. In the next section, we included bank statements from Korea and Ireland with relevant sections highlighted (transfers to each other's bank accounts) and the statements spanned the previous three years. Then there were employment records for her and reference letters from previous employers and a bank statement from me showing that I am currently employed. In the final section, we had emails, plane tickets (alongside copies of relevant passport pages with stamps side by side), Facebook screenshots, and pictures organised by year since 2008. I made sure to include pictures of us with mutual friends along with Facebook messages from the same friends, and I also put in a lot of emails from my parents and other family members in which they mention my partner.

    We were never asked for additional information, and I found the department to be very helpful and prompt whenever I emailed them throughout the process.

    Hopefully this is helpful for somebody else, and best of luck to everyone applying!

    Thanks so much for sharing. Do you both have to be living in the country to apple.. My US bf cannot afford to not work for five months and Therfore wants to stay in the US before moving here -thanks!


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  • #331
    Chimichangas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭Chimichangas


    Irishgirl88 wrote: »
    Thanks so much for sharing. Do you both have to be living in the country to apple.. My US bf cannot afford to not work for five months and Therfore wants to stay in the US before moving here -thanks!

    No, I dont think so. Just have all the required iinformation, documents proof of relationship etc. and then play the waiting game. Your bf will be waiting for a visa to join his partner.


  • #332
    Chimichangas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 737 ✭✭✭Chimichangas


    yolili57 wrote: »
    I have a relationship with a Irish citizen. we have been living together for 2 years and we have a baby boy who is one year.

    At the moment we are in Australia but we want to go to Ireland to live there with his family it because in Australia we dont have family and it is difficult with small baby.

    The reason why I post this is because I have ready looked for information about it on the webside for apply for visa (long term join family) but the webside doesnt have clear information about which documents we need in order to do the aplication.

    could anyone help me.

    our soon is Australian citizen.

    Thanks.

    Did you get this sorted yet?
    Perhaps you could get a irish passport for your son, Then you would need to apply for a visa to join your family, or prove the de facto partner,spouse. Perhaps as a mother of a young baby the application can be speeded up. But dont hold your breath on that one.


  • #333
    Pixie Nixie
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Pixie Nixie


    Hi all!

    I hope you can help me out. My boyfriend is Irish and I applied to the defacto visa while in a visit visa in 2013 and it was denied so I had to come back to my home country but then I applied again this year while in a tourist visa and it was granted for only 6 months and with stamp 3.
    The letter I received says I can renew it but it doesn't say what to do to renew it.

    Should I apply all over again or just go to the immigration office and pay the 300euros? Do I have to go with my boyfriend? What papers do I have to show them (passports, what else?)

    Is there any way I can change the stamp 3 into stamp 4???? It's driving me insane not being able to work!!

    Please anyone who can give me some advise will be very much appreciated.

    TIA


  • #334
    Grimsvotn
    Registered Users Posts: 29 ✭Grimsvotn


    I applied for this visa from abroad and was granted within a few weeks, what should I do when I arrive in Ireland, do I need to make another application?


  • #335
    aj1980
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭aj1980


    Hi All,

    I am Irish and my partner is Canadian, we have been together for over two years and living with each other since they came over on a working holiday Visa in June 2014.

    Given the processing times for de facto relationships scheme we sent in the application along with all the supporting documentation only to be refused via letter on the 23rd of December citing that we hadn't been living together for 2 years.

    The letter also said that the start date for the co-habitation was December 2014 despite that the fact that there was a lease for our apartment from the 1st of October and documentary proof of us being at the same address since June 2014 so clearly they hadn't looked too hard at the documentation.

    I am not sure what my options are to be honest, I think I should flag the errors but I don't think it will make any difference to the final decision.

    My partner has a job that he loves and is doing really well at it, being promoted 3 times in the past 2 years, its on the list of ineligible occupations for so come June I am worried that he will have to leave it as his working holiday visa expires.

    I also worry that if I apply in June we are left in limbo waiting to see if we will be successful or not.

    Any insights from people that have had the same experience would be very much appreciated.

    Thanks


  • #336
    Erinelli
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Erinelli


    Hello,

    I too am a Canadian who arrived in Ireland in June 2014 on a Working Holiday Visa. I have been living with my partner since arriving however my visa will expire this June 2016. These are my questions:

    --If my Visa expires just when I can provide proof of living together for 2 years will my application (to be submitted prior to the date of living together for 2 years) be denied?

    --Secondly, my Irish boyfriend is on Social Welfare and currently trying to become officially self employed through a social welfare entrepreneurial programme. The INIS website De Facto guideline states the following however:

    "The Sponsor must be resident or intend to be resident in the State and be self sufficient i.e. not on social welfare benefits and must, if necessary, be able to support the Applicant and any dependants financially without recourse to public funds."

    --Also, while I have a visa I am currently unemployed but searching for work. I teach a bit of yoga on the side to help pay our rent/living expenses... but this is obviously not on the books because it's just a part-time gig. Our bank account is looking a bit sparse to say the least... eek.

    I am freaking out that our application will be rejected for the above reasons.

    Does anyone have any insight or advice on these topics? What should we do? Please help! Much appreciated!


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  • #337
    astonaidan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭astonaidan


    Erinelli wrote: »
    Hello,

    I too am a Canadian who arrived in Ireland in June 2014 on a Working Holiday Visa. I have been living with my partner since arriving however my visa will expire this June 2016. These are my questions:

    --If my Visa expires just when I can provide proof of living together for 2 years will my application (to be submitted prior to the date of living together for 2 years) be denied?

    --Secondly, my Irish boyfriend is on Social Welfare and currently trying to become officially self employed through a social welfare entrepreneurial programme. The INIS website De Facto guideline states the following however:

    "The Sponsor must be resident or intend to be resident in the State and be self sufficient i.e. not on social welfare benefits and must, if necessary, be able to support the Applicant and any dependants financially without recourse to public funds."

    --Also, while I have a visa I am currently unemployed but searching for work. I teach a bit of yoga on the side to help pay our rent/living expenses... but this is obviously not on the books because it's just a part-time gig. Our bank account is looking a bit sparse to say the least... eek.

    I am freaking out that our application will be rejected for the above reasons.

    Does anyone have any insight or advice on these topics? What should we do? Please help! Much appreciated!

    So you might or might not want to hear this, but if you get married it takes everything out of the equation. You just will have to go to your local Garda station and they will sort you out.


  • #338
    Erinelli
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭Erinelli


    astonaidan wrote: »
    So you might or might not want to hear this, but if you get married it takes everything out of the equation. You just will have to go to your local Garda station and they will sort you out.

    Thanks for getting back to us. We are indeed taking that route - always was in the cards, but now we're just going ahead with getting married a little sooner than expected so that I can stay in the country. We are delighted - I guess this was meant to be! (Helps that we love each other of course!) :P ;)


  • #339
    astonaidan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭astonaidan


    Erinelli wrote: »
    Thanks for getting back to us. We are indeed taking that route - always was in the cards, but now we're just going ahead with getting married a little sooner than expected so that I can stay in the country. We are delighted - I guess this was meant to be! (Helps that we love each other of course!) :P ;)

    Fair play did the samething was just easier than hoop jumping now have a baby on the way, we dont do things slow :eek::D


  • #340
    850731galway
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭850731galway


    We have received acknowledgement our de facto visa application has been received, what's next? Sit back and wait? They advised in their letter that they are working on cases in a chronological order and are currently assessing applications that have been received in November of last year. The application was submitted to the de facto unit so I'm assuming they have a de facto team, what takes so long for the applications to be approved? How many people have applied for de facto visas? The whole process seems very shambolic. Will INIS just go quiet now until such time as we get to the top of the queue? Can we even leave the country on holidays during this time? Or can my partner take up voluntary work or an unpaid internship while the application is pending?

    The whole process seems pretty shambolic and sub standard in comparison to other countries we have lived in. Firstly, the information provided on the INIS website is so very vague and unclear. Secondly, the GNIB officer told us that we just needed to prove that we were together for two years not cohabiting for two years as stated on the website. What is correct? Also, on arrival at dublin airport my partner was given a 30 day window in which to lodge his application and a green slip of paper which clearly stated that we were to attend GNIB with out documents for an initial inspection within the 30 day window. Having patiently queued from 5.30 that morning to enter the GNIB office, we were told that we didn't need to be there. When I argued the fact and told the guy that we received the information card from Dublin Airport Immigration Officer to attend that office he told me that we didn't need to be there and that he should know because he worked there. As you can imagine I was extremely annoyed. He then proceeded to send us to a counter to a lady and told us we were doing the right thing. As well as that inside the office there are about 15 counters yet only 2 staff members behind the counters. It's not as if it is quiet, there are about 500 still queuing outside the door to get in. Also, I have contacted the defacto email hotline on a few occasions and I have noticed they a lot of presumptions, not only to the sex of my partner, but to his resident status in this country (ie When I queried about applying for the visa, I asked once the application had been lodged would my partner be able to leave the country and re-enter again. I was then informed that it would be up to the discretion of the immigration officer and that my partner could not use de facto partner visa as a means to change from a student visa - my partner has never been on a student visa in Ireland). Are they always this unprofessional? Surely, the process will get better from here on in right?


  • #341
    Catorada
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭Catorada


    Hi! I am a Filipino with Stamp 1 visa here in Ireland. My boyfriend is in the Philippines and we are planning to apply for a de facto visa. Aside from that, he also needs to apply for a Long Stay Visa because he can't come here if he doesn't have a visa. Is it okay to apply for a long stay visa and de facto at the same time? Also, we are 4 years already but we weren't living together in the Philippines. We are still planning to open a joint account but I am afraid I won't be able to show a proof of cohabitiation.


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  • #342
    ElChe32
    Registered Users Posts: 2,690 ✭✭✭ElChe32


    Hey guys, quick question. Myself and my gf are going to apply for the de facto relationship visa, she's currently here in Ireland and her current student visa is up in September. We want to get the de facto application in in the next few weeks and I know the process can take some months. Will my gf be able to return home (US Citizen) while we wait for an answer then return here if we are successful? She can't afford not to be working after september.

    Any help would be great,


  • #343
    kelsea
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭kelsea


    ElChe32 wrote: »
    Hey guys, quick question. Myself and my gf are going to apply for the de facto relationship visa, she's currently here in Ireland and her current student visa is up in September. We want to get the de facto application in in the next few weeks and I know the process can take some months. Will my gf be able to return home (US Citizen) while we wait for an answer then return here if we are successful? She can't afford not to be working after september.

    Any help would be great,

    ElChe32, I am American and in a relationship with an Irish citizen-- we were recently in this situation.

    As long as you can definitely prove that you've lived together for 2 years, the best route is to send your application ASAP. Once it has been received and you have the confirmation letter, you can go to your local Immigration Guard (the same person who helps with registering for a GNIB card) and they will hopefully give her a 3 month permission to remain stamp-- mine allows me to work here (Stamp 4). You may need to go back for an additional 3 month stamp as the application will probably take longer. I would suggest that she tries to stay here and they will ask for more documents throughout the application process. (They asked us for updated documents twice so far, bleh!)

    We sent our application off last November and are still waiting for the final okay. Our local immigration guard has been extremely helpful, so he is your new best friend during this process :) Hope that helps!


  • #344
    ElChe32
    Registered Users Posts: 2,690 ✭✭✭ElChe32


    kelsea wrote:
    As long as you can definitely prove that you've lived together for 2 years, the best route is to send your application ASAP. Once it has been received and you have the confirmation letter, you can go to your local Immigration Guard (the same person who helps with registering for a GNIB card) and they will hopefully give her a 3 month permission to remain stamp-- mine allows me to work here (Stamp 4). You may need to go back for an additional 3 month stamp as the application will probably take longer. I would suggest that she tries to stay here and they will ask for more documents throughout the application process. (They asked us for updated documents twice so far, bleh!)

    kelsea wrote:
    We sent our application off last November and are still waiting for the final okay. Our local immigration guard has been extremely helpful, so he is your new best friend during this process Hope that helps!

    kelsea wrote:
    ElChe32, I am American and in a relationship with an Irish citizen-- we were recently in this situation.

    So with the confirmation letter you were able to get a stamp 4 that you needed to renew every three
    months? 300€ at a time?


  • #345
    astonaidan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭astonaidan


    ElChe32 wrote: »
    So with the confirmation letter you were able to get a stamp 4 that you needed to renew every three
    months? 300€ at a time?

    You dont need to pay if youre with a Irish citizen though, I thought the same was delighted when the immigration officer told me otherwise


  • #346
    pages83
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭pages83


    Hi there,
    My partner is Canadian and has applied for Stamp 4 on defacto grounds in Ireland, last March.
    Just wondering if anyone has any further info on processing times for this?

    We were advised by the Migrant Care Project that it would take 6 months originally, BUT immigration have come back to us, advising us that it could take anywhere up to 18 months to process.
    They are currently working on applications received September 2015!!
    What a mare.


  • #347
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    aj1980 wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I am Irish and my partner is Canadian, we have been together for over two years and living with each other since they came over on a working holiday Visa in June 2014.

    Given the processing times for de facto relationships scheme we sent in the application along with all the supporting documentation only to be refused via letter on the 23rd of December citing that we hadn't been living together for 2 years.

    The letter also said that the start date for the co-habitation was December 2014 despite that the fact that there was a lease for our apartment from the 1st of October and documentary proof of us being at the same address since June 2014 so clearly they hadn't looked too hard at the documentation.

    I am not sure what my options are to be honest, I think I should flag the errors but I don't think it will make any difference to the final decision.

    My partner has a job that he loves and is doing really well at it, being promoted 3 times in the past 2 years, its on the list of ineligible occupations for so come June I am worried that he will have to leave it as his working holiday visa expires.

    I also worry that if I apply in June we are left in limbo waiting to see if we will be successful or not.

    Any insights from people that have had the same experience would be very much appreciated.

    Thanks

    You can see if you can push for a stamp 3 which will allow him to stay just that he can't work. This will at least allow him to be in the state and you be together to apply again.


  • #348
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    pages83 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    My partner is Canadian and has applied for Stamp 4 on defacto grounds in Ireland, last March.
    Just wondering if anyone has any further info on processing times for this?

    We were advised by the Migrant Care Project that it would take 6 months originally, BUT immigration have come back to us, advising us that it could take anywhere up to 18 months to process.
    They are currently working on applications received September 2015!!
    What a mare.

    It shouldn't take 18 months. There are backlogs which even affects the time it takes can get an acknowledgement letter for an application. With the economy on the up more people will be looking to stay. In regards to a decision you case may already have been reached but it has to go through the queue and then the printer for you to get your response.


  • #349
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    We have received acknowledgement our de facto visa application has been received, what's next? Sit back and wait? They advised in their letter that they are working on cases in a chronological order and are currently assessing applications that have been received in November of last year. The application was submitted to the de facto unit so I'm assuming they have a de facto team, what takes so long for the applications to be approved? How many people have applied for de facto visas? The whole process seems very shambolic. Will INIS just go quiet now until such time as we get to the top of the queue? Can we even leave the country on holidays during this time? Or can my partner take up voluntary work or an unpaid internship while the application is pending?

    As each case is different which affects times to make a decision. They have to go through a lot of your paperwork, files that you have submitted then vetting also takes time to check on your records, tax, where you have lived.

    If your card is still valid there is no issue for leaving the country on a holiday. You still have your passport.


  • #350
    850731galway
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭850731galway


    I lodged an application with my partner in May and the acknowledgement letter we received stated that they were still going through cases received in November 2015! Don't give up


  • #351
    fdoode
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭fdoode


    Hello,

    I'll add my bit into the pool of people who are also living in uncertainty due to the poor information on De Facto visa applications on the INIS website.

    I'm Irish, my fiancee is a South African/Australasian dual citizen and we applied just last week for de facto status or whatever they want to call it.

    We have been going out 4 years and have been living together for 23 months but only have documented evidence covering 21 months. I supplied in excess of 100 photos from throughout this time, multiple text messages from 2014/15/16, Facebook messages from 2012 right through to now, whats app stats showing that my fiancee is overwhelmingly the highest recipient of messages from me, bank statements going back almost the whole time showing money going back and forth between us, Facebook status screen shots over the years, a Facebook summary of all the times I tagged her in a post, multiple flight bookings we were both on together, medical insurance for both of us, her police clearance for both Australia and south Africa, copies of all pages of all 3 passports, copies of the letters confirming the date for our civil wedding ceremony in Ireland and also some brief details of our intended wedding date and venue in Cape Town (I told them a booking confirmation email is to follow when I receive it), our cover letter outlining our application plus finally a couple of letters from family with one from a local councilor and Garda sergeant to follow also.

    What are our chances? Its VERY clear from the photos that they are over a fair amount of time, as can be judged by my various beards and her variations in hair style, not to mention the ageing process and variations in my weight! The letters are thin on the ground but they confirm us at 3 different addresses in this 21 months (Between Australia and Ireland). I supplied the 100+ photos across 40 different events/slides, supplied 20 different FB messenger iPhone screen shots, 16 different PC screen grabs of different Facebook status updates of the two of us and 32 text message iPhone screen shots, all the communication contact shown is both down to earth and everyday couple type stuff with lots showing mutual commitment (In my opinion at this stage, it remains to be seen what theirs is but its certainly not frivolous content).

    We have supplied everything they requested and are in the process of getting married now too so is our future in this country looking reasonably secure? We do not want to return to Australia nor do we want to be left with no option but to do so. She is not working and obviously cannot work as she is on holiday visas entering and exiting since last February. We are not aware of any other options open to us to permit her to stay on anything longer than 3 month visas, we spoke to a migration agent from Tullamore, avoid him as I was told by a lady in the Dept of Health he's a cowboy, he gave us no advice other than NOT to apply for de facto status and to simply get married, this was rubbished by the guys in passport control in Dublin airport as well as a lady over the phone in GNIB Galway, we have been given directly contradictory information by the guys on passport control in Dublin on her most recent two visits/entries to ireland (Go to GNIB/DON'T go to GNIB) GNIB do not want to hear from us as she does not have a visa to remain here (Same answer on two occasions so i'm confident this is the case). Are there other temp visas she can avail of in order to simply remain, work is less important, no kids and I have enough of a wage.

    Finally is sponsorship an option in Ireland at the minute? Her background is in Transfer Agency in the finance sector in Australia and I know things have picked up in the financial sector here but are they sponsoring or are there many jobs being created much. The recruitment websites do not offer much by way of indications that sponsorship is available.

    Neil.


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