Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

Ireland De-Facto Visa

  • 31-03-2010 9:13am
    #1
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭


    I can't find anywhere better to post this question. I'm looking for experiences on getting a de-facto visa as a non-EEA national and the partner of an Irish citizen. My girlfriend is thinking of coming to live with me in Ireland for a while and I need to make sure we have our bases covered on time. What do we need to prove to get her a visa?

    We will have been going out over 2 years, living together for more than 6 months, can get a joint bank account if necessary. Anything else?


«134567…19

Comments

  • #2
    sideshowsue
    Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭sideshowsue


    See the INIS website for more details: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000278

    This is another good website: http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=34

    Typically the INIS looks for two years' worth of evidence of a de facto, 'durable relationship duly attested.' The fact that you've only been living together for 6 months is a potential snag. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.


  • #3
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    Thanks for the reply. We're actually planning this for 15 months time. So we do have a bit of time to get our house in order if you'll excuse the pun. We will be a bit over the two years but don't currently live together.

    I'm basing the 6 months on the Australian requirements. I thought that Ireland would be similarly practical. The information on the INIS site is a bit vague for my liking but I'll look at the other one. It's interesting as an Irish citizen to see how different Ireland's immigration system is to Australia's. It seems a lot less mature to say the least.


  • #4
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    That website was very useful, thanks. Looks like we will be fine.
    http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=51956

    Don't necessarily have to live together it seems.


  • #5
    tatli_lokma
    Registered Users Posts: 3,332 ✭✭✭tatli_lokma


    ballooba wrote: »
    That website was very useful, thanks. Looks like we will be fine.
    http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=51956

    Don't necessarily have to live together it seems.

    don't get too carried away! i'm married to a non-EU national, and even as a married couple it is not straight forward. I have heard of them refusing married couples, so proving the validity of the relationship without a marriage cert is even more difficult.
    good luck with it, but hope for the best, prepare for the worst!


  • #6
    jellybeans
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭jellybeans


    Hi all, my boyfriend is Croatian and I am Irish. We were thinking of applying for the defacto visa this week as he has been offered a full time job. We are together under 2 years but we have been living together for the last 4 months. Also it has just been confirmed that Croatia will become an EU member on 1st July 2013. Can someone just give some advice on what we have to do to submit an application for a de-facto visa and also do you think it's advisable to submit documentation about Croatia's membership to the EU?? Im just not sure what angle to be coming from?? Thanks :)


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    I was unaware that Ireland recognised De Facto for immigration purposes . Maybe we're not as backward as I thought.


  • #8
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    Ireland is an absolute balls of a country for non nationals, visa wise


  • #9
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 9,979 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    jellybeans wrote: »
    Hi all, my boyfriend is Croatian and I am Irish. We were thinking of applying for the defacto visa this week as he has been offered a full time job. At the moment he is on a student visa! We are together 22 months (not quite the 2 years) but we have been living together for the last 4 months. Also it has just been confirmed that Croatia will become an EU member on 1st July 2013. Can someone just give some advice on what we have to do to submit an application for a de-facto visa and also do you think it's advisable to submit documentation about Croatia's membership to the EU?? Im just not sure what angle to be coming from?? Thanks :)

    This link from the INIS states that you need to be able to show documentary evidence of living together for at least two years before they will accept your relationship.

    The status of Croatia visa via the EU will not be considered, as there is nothing in the current rules to allow them to take it in to account. Furthermore, Croatia's membership is expected, but not a given at this point in time and even after it does join, you should not be surprised if there is a transition period with respect to the free movement of peoples, given the current economic climate.

    Also, I would not volunteer the fact that he has been job hunting on a student visa, as it might well put his status into question...

    Jim.


  • #10
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    Currently going through this process ourselves, this document has been a godsend:
    http://www.migrantproject.ie/documents/ResidencyInformationforFamilyMembersandPartnersofIrishCitizens02.2011_002.pdf

    I'd forget about the Croatian EU angle for the moment, if it happens then you don't need to worry about all this stuff, until then you're stuck with the same process as the rest of non-EEA.


  • #11
    jellybeans
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭jellybeans


    thanks guys for your replies and thanks for the pdf ;) I don't think you have to be living together for the enitre 2 years do you? also we will be just under the 2 years when we will apply, we'll be more like 20 months, do you think this will be a problem???? the other thing is my boyfriend is planning on doing a master in 2012, as proof of our relationship I have printed off emails and most of the emails i have sent him have been in relation to his Masters, do you think it's unwise to state that we want him to stay here to work to save for his masters which he will do hopefully in Sept 2012..:( or should we just say he wants to stay so we can be together which is obviously the main reason!!! I was thinking of just being honest and saying what our intention is ie the masters and then getting married etc but then Im nervous of saying the wrong thing and if we dont get it :confused:


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    tatli_lokma
    Registered Users Posts: 3,332 ✭✭✭tatli_lokma


    jellybeans wrote: »
    thanks guys for your replies and thanks for the pdf ;) I don't think you have to be living together for the enitre 2 years do you? also we will be just under the 2 years when we will apply, we'll be more like 20 months, do you think this will be a problem???? the other thing is my boyfriend is planning on doing a master in 2012, as proof of our relationship I have printed off emails and most of the emails i have sent him have been in relation to his Masters,

    Given you are only living together 4 months, this is not very long at all as far as the authorities are concerned. In order to back this up you will need to show proof of your relationship for the 22 mths - emails as far as I remember from our application are not enough. When they say documentary evidence they mean joint bank accounts, bills,photos showing a relationship etc - emails are not given much weight given how easily they can be doctored.

    If you have not already done so, you need to get bank accounts, bill etc in joint names as this is what they mean by documentary proof.


  • #13
    ResearchWill
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,111 ✭✭✭ResearchWill


    First of all my advice is to go to a solicitor who knows this area. There are huge differences between an Irish person having a non EEA partner and an EEA person having a non EEA partner. As the European citizen is covered by the free movement directive.

    If you are thinking of doing this in 15 months then I would apply for a visit visa through INIS, have the person visit and return a few times. Also visit them if possible in their country. Then when you want to have the person join you get a join partner visa. Then you will apply for a stamp 4 permission to reside and work. That process can take up to a year. To be honest this area of law is a minefield. I have seen so many people get caught up in a nightmare of red tape doing it themselves. Get good legal advice from a solicitor who works in the area. If you want to know who is good ask people you may know in the situation.

    If as your post may imply ye are both living in a third country, then just make sure ye have all bills together, rent agreement etc. And when you are moving back apply for correct visa, and stamp 4. Be warned as I said above the stamp 4 can take some time with no right to work while waiting.


  • #14
    LoGiE
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 2,965 Mod ✭✭✭✭LoGiE


    Hi,

    Have a look at this thread. It has a few peoples experiences including my own.

    Good luck!


  • #15
    Pablo Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,207 ✭✭✭Pablo Sanchez


    Dont worry you dont have to be living togeather for the two years. Just complie old emails, photos etc that can prove that you have been togeather for the two years. The state cant force you to 'live in sin' to show you have a genuine relationship:D


  • #16
    tatli_lokma
    Registered Users Posts: 3,332 ✭✭✭tatli_lokma


    Pablo Sanchez wrote: »
    Dont worry you dont have to be living togeather for the two years. Just complie old emails, photos etc that can prove that you have been togeather for the two years. The state cant force you to 'live in sin' to show you have a genuine relationship:D
    Its not that u can be forced 2 live in sin, but emails and photos in themselves are not enough - you are looking for a visa on a defacto basis, ie that you are common law partners, in a long term committed relationship. It is not enough 2 be going out together, that is not defacto. Emails and photos will help but u'll have to show other examples of ur real commitments such as joint bank accounts, joint tenancy, joint bills etc. Plus with photos it helps if you have ones at family occasions, social occasions, with a mix of people, not just the pair of you.


  • #17
    befriend1
    Registered Users Posts: 40 ✭befriend1


    Hi Guys

    I am hoping someone with experience in this area can help. My boyfriend and I are applying for the de-facto visa this November. We live together and can provide letters, pictures etc and hope this stuff proves our relationship.

    However I have just finished college (last month - it was a postgraduate course) and am currently unemployed. I have basically no funds other than social welfare and worry this might affect our chances.

    Do you think they will dismiss our application based on my current inability to support him, if needed?

    Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.. thank you :)


  • #18
    Pablo Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,207 ✭✭✭Pablo Sanchez


    befriend1 wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    I am hoping someone with experience in this area can help. My boyfriend and I are applying for the de-facto visa this November. We live together and can provide letters, pictures etc and hope this stuff proves our relationship.

    However I have just finished college (last month - it was a postgraduate course) and am currently unemployed. I have basically no funds other than social welfare and worry this might affect our chances.

    Do you think they will dismiss our application based on my current inability to support him, if needed?

    Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.. thank you :)

    I stand to be corrected but i dont think they focus too much on the financial side of things, i wouldnt be overly worried about the fact that you may not be able to support him.


  • #19
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    I went through this process recently and it was very very difficult. Nothing like the walk in the park you would understand from reading here. Are you waiting until November so that you have two years co-habitation? I would apply sooner rather than later because it takes so long. I think if both of you or at least one can get a job offer it will greatly improve your chances.


  • #20
    Pablo Sanchez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,207 ✭✭✭Pablo Sanchez


    You dont need to be co habiting to get the visa, simply to be able to show a relationship exists.


  • #21
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    You might be correct about the co-habiting, or you might be wrong, the process is a bit of a black box for me. I think "simply to be able to show a relationship exists" is a little bit of an understatement though. They did not accept our evidence the first time even though we had proved two years, as far as we ere concerned. We had to submit more proof and wait again for a response. The wait seems to be about 8 weeks.


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    Delancey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,451 ✭✭✭Delancey


    befriend1 wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    I am hoping someone with experience in this area can help. My boyfriend and I are applying for the de-facto visa this November. We live together and can provide letters, pictures etc and hope this stuff proves our relationship.

    However I have just finished college (last month - it was a postgraduate course) and am currently unemployed. I have basically no funds other than social welfare and worry this might affect our chances.

    Do you think they will dismiss our application based on my current inability to support him, if needed?

    Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.. thank you :)

    My ( albeit limited ) knowledge and understanding of these things is that your current situation of being unemployed and presumably short of funds will most definitely be taken into account - and not to your advantage I'm sorry to say.


  • #23
    befriend1
    Registered Users Posts: 40 ✭befriend1


    Thanks guys..

    Well he is employed but neither of us have savings and we live in my family home, so I hope that helps. His visa is up in November, that's the rational for the timing.

    Guess I will have to try find a job ASAP.


  • #24
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    Hi. I applied for the Defacto leave to remain on September 14. Five weeks ago. They sent me a correspondence letter a day later to say they have received my application. We started going out in March 2009. I met my partner in London and my UK Working Holiday visa expired in September 2009 so I obtained an Irish working holiday permit which lasted for 12 months. I had to go back to Australia in October 2010 as my visa had expired and we hadn't been together for 2 years. The INIS gave me a Stamp 3 permit which meant I couldn't work. She came out to Australia for 3 weeks in March for my cousin's wedding. I stayed in Australia till September this year for family reasons (my cousin and grandma had passed away) and landed back in Ireland. You have to be in the country to apply. The Gards renewed my Stamp 3 for another 12 months while I am waiting for my application. I didn't have any problems with getting back in to the country.

    In my application I included

    Joint Account details
    Bank statements of individual accounts.
    Birthday cards
    Photos
    Letters from my parents and hers
    Letter from a former Tuinaste (sp?)
    Letter from my previous employer here who is willing to take me back. I was on a Working Holiday permit previously.
    Match tickets, holiday schedules, concerts that we attended
    Invitations to my cousin's wedding in Australia
    Letters to support our application
    Photocopies of every page from both passports
    Copies of all the GNIB cards I have had (important).
    A letter from the VHI saying that I have private health insurance and won't be relying on the HSE for medical care (important)
    Pay slips from both parties

    Don't forget that your partner is Irish is also applying for the leave to remain so they will do checks on him/her. They will probably reconcile both bank accounts. No doubt there is a police check in there as well to make sure that you are of good character. If you have been involved in community activities such as sport get a letter from your club. Since I got back I spoke to my previous employer and he said he will help me get back in to the company once I get my visa. You will need to show that you have at least 3000 euro in your account to support yourself and aren't relying on social welfare to survive. Remember you aren't applying for an actual visa


  • #25
    sophie4187
    Registered Users Posts: 81 ✭✭sophie4187


    so did you get approved or your still waiting? i sent mine off the week before you and haven't heard anything yet


  • #26
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    Still waiting Sophie. Managed to get hold of them twice on the phone which is a feat in itself. The line is only open each Thursday from 10am-12pm. Options 3 and 5. So you have twenty minutes to ring them. They said they are waiting for correspondence from other departments before getting in touch with me. They won't tell me how long it will take and what departments they are. I have written them a letter and they didn't respond to my answer I am guessing that they have nothing to tell me.


  • #27
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    I say your application must have been fine if they haven't got back to you about missing info.


  • #28
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    FalconXV wrote: »
    I say your application must have been fine if they haven't got back to you about missing info.
    That's a big assumption.;) We waited 8 weeks for a grant of a Stamp 3. Which isn't really worth much. I'd advise applicants not to be complacent or expect too much.


  • #29
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    ballooba wrote: »
    That's a big assumption.;) We waited 8 weeks for a grant of a Stamp 3. Which isn't really worth much. I'd advise applicants not to be complacent or expect too much.

    You probably went through the same background checks as you would for a De Facto


  • #30
    ballooba
    Registered Users Posts: 6,315 ✭✭✭ballooba


    FalconXV wrote: »
    ballooba wrote: »
    That's a big assumption.;) We waited 8 weeks for a grant of a Stamp 3. Which isn't really worth much. I'd advise applicants not to be complacent or expect too much.

    You probably went through the same background checks as you would for a De Facto
    Stamp 3 is an effective denial of Stamp 4, which is "De-facto". Regarding background checks, I don't believe the standard process incorporates one. I've never heard of anyone undergoing them either. The eight weeks is purely an administrative delay as far as I am aware.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    FalconXV
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭FalconXV


    ballooba wrote: »
    Stamp 3 is an effective denial of Stamp 4, which is "De-facto". Regarding background checks, I don't believe the standard process incorporates one. I've never heard of anyone undergoing them either. The eight weeks is purely an administrative delay as far as I am aware.

    Yeah it does require background checks. No immigration department would grant visas without doing it. They need to check if you have of good health, have no criminal record, that your finances are accurate plus your partner will get checks too. When I was given my stamp 3 it was for 12 months so I had to prove that I could support myself as I wasn't allowed to work. The reason why no one would tell you that you didn't undergo any checks is because the Department of Justice doesn't give you any information about your application.

    My UK working holiday visa required a police check as it was done in Australia didn't take too long.


Advertisement