GNIB Card - Transition From Student To Green Card Spouse?

UCDVet

I've had a look at the websites, but I'm still a bit lost.

Let's say I've been a full-time student at UCD for the last four years and each year I've gotten my GNIB card as a 'student'...but three years ago, my spouse came to Ireland and obtained a non-eu Green card.

My spouse is still working and has renewed their GNIB and work permit as required, so everything is legit and on the up-and-up.

The green card says it qualifies spouses/dependants immediate access to Ireland.

Holders of a Green Card permit can have their spouses, civil partners and families join them immediately.

(http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/migrant_workers/employment_permits/green_card_permits.html)

The thing is, I can't find any details on how exactly that works. When I try to find what documentation I'll need to bring, it's under the Family Reunification Act - which includes applying for a visa online and can take 12 weeks to process.

Can anyone tell me if I can just go to the GNIB with my spouses paperwork and renew my GNIB card/pay the 300 euro and be on my way? Or do I need to leave the country when my card expires, wait for the online visa application to come back, then come back to Ireland?

Thanks in advance - I really have tried to find information online, but I've had no luck. Likewise, calling the GNIB phone number just results in endless ringing. Also, if anyone knows of a place where I can go and actually talk to someone (I went to the GNIB today at 8am, but they turned me away when they ran out of tickets and said they couldn't answer!) about such things, even if it costs money, could you let me know?

seagull

The best thing to do when dealing with GNIB is to use email. They are normally quite good at answering. It's generally a waste of time trying to call them, and the people on the front desk often don't know enough to give you the answers.

innocent_lover

Take your spouse with his/her passport,work reference letter, Gnib card, marriage certificate, your passport and Gnib card to Burgh Quay. They will change your stamp there. But keep in mind they will give you stamp 3 and you will need work permit for work.
If your marriage certificate is not in English then get it translated and attested. They might ask you for house lease, address proofs with both names on it.

Pro Hoc Vice

innocent_lover wrote: »

Take your spouse with his/her passport,work reference letter, Gnib card, marriage certificate, your passport and Gnib card to Burgh Quay. They will change your stamp there. But keep in mind they will give you stamp 3 and you will need work permit for work.
If your marriage certificate is not in English then get it translated and attested. They might ask you for house lease, address proofs with both names on it.

Stamp 3 does not allow work it is stamp 1 that allows work with a work permit and stamp 4 that allows work without any other permission.

Dandelion6

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Stamp 3 does not allow work it is stamp 1 that allows work with a work permit and stamp 4 that allows work without any other permission.

But if you get a job offer that meets the criteria for a work permit you can have your Stamp 3 changed to Stamp 1.

Pro Hoc Vice

Dandelion6 wrote: »

But if you get a job offer that meets the criteria for a work permit you can have your Stamp 3 changed to Stamp 1.

Yes which is costly and requires both an application to justice and enterprise, currently are very difficult to get. If a person can get such a job why do they want to change from stamp 2 to a stamp based on parter to the change to a personal stamp

innocent_lover

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Yes which is costly and requires both an application to justice and enterprise, currently are very difficult to get. If a person can get such a job why do they want to change from stamp 2 to a stamp based on parter to the change to a personal stamp

I could be wrong but i think employer doesn't pay any fees if they sponsor anyone on stamp 3 but if they initiate work permit application for stamp 2 then they need to pay around €1600. So its hard to get work permit on stamp 2 than stamp 3 as employers will be reluctant to pay any fees.
If anyone wants to change from stamp 2 to stamp 1 then i think they should be on graduate visa.

Pro Hoc Vice

innocent_lover wrote: »

I could be wrong but i think employer doesn't pay any fees if they sponsor anyone on stamp 3 but if they initiate work permit application for stamp 2 then they need to pay around €1600. So its hard to get work permit on stamp 2 than stamp 3 as employers will be reluctant to pay any fees.
If anyone wants to change from stamp 2 to stamp 1 then i think they should be on graduate visa.

Stamp 2 allows work of 20 hours during term time and 40 hours during school holidays. A person can not get a work permit on any other stamp except stamp 1.

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

OP some info here, http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf/Files/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf
This can be a complex area of law I would advise taking advise from a solicitor who operates in the area.

Dandelion6

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Yes which is costly and requires both an application to justice and enterprise, currently are very difficult to get. If a person can get such a job why do they want to change from stamp 2 to a stamp based on parter to the change to a personal stamp

I was just pointing out that it's an option, which I presume OP would want to know.